Durham Construction Accident Attorney

While construction jobs in Durham or elsewhere in North Carolina often pay well, they come with a heightened risk of injury or death. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports over 173,000 construction workers nationwide suffered on-the-job injuries in a single recent year. Closer to home, BLS research indicates 45 North Carolina construction workers died from work-related injuries in one year.

For construction workers who survive their injuries, recovering fair compensation is often an uphill battle. Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A. proudly represents Durham construction workers in their fight for fair compensation after a workplace injury. Our Durham construction accident attorneys can guide you through the workers’ compensation claim process and look for other sources of compensation, such as a personal injury claim against a third party.

We know you’re struggling and we stand ready to use all our resources to uphold your rights. Call now or complete our contact form to set up a free consultation with a Durham construction injury lawyer at our firm.

Why Choose Kornbluth Ginsberg for Your Construction Accident Case in Durham?

Effective legal representation is crucial after a construction accident because of the severe injuries that often occur in these cases. Without a good lawyer, you might not recover the total compensation you need to pay your medical bills and meet your needs while you recover.

With that in mind, here are a few things that make Kornbluth Ginsberg stand out among Durham construction accident lawyers:

• Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury and employment law.
• We don’t take a cookie-cutter approach to these cases because we know every case and every client is different.
• We keep our client-to-staff ratio low so we can provide quality customer service.
• We treat our clients how we would want to be treated – with compassion, respect, and a firm focus on protecting your interests.

How Accidents Happen on Construction Sites in Durham

Some common causes of worker injuries at Durham construction sites include:

• Falls from heights – Construction workers often work on scaffolding, ladders, or roofs. Falls can occur due to unstable surfaces, missing guardrails, or inadequate safety equipment, for example.
• Struck by objects – Tools, materials, or debris falling from above can cause serious injuries. Workers on the ground are especially at risk in busy construction zones.
• Equipment accidents – Heavy machinery, such as forklifts, cranes, or bulldozers, can lead to injuries from malfunctions, improper operation, or lack of proper training.
• Electrocutions – Exposed wires, faulty equipment, or contact with power lines can cause severe electrical injuries or fatalities.
• Trench collapses – Workers inside trenches are at risk if the trench walls cave in, often due to unstable soil or improper reinforcement.
• Slips and trips – Construction sites are full of hazards like loose cables, uneven surfaces, or spills that can lead to slips, trips, and falls.
• Exposure to hazardous substances – Chemicals, asbestos, or other toxic materials can harm workers if employers don’t provide proper protective gear.
• Overexertion – Lifting heavy materials, working long hours, or enduring extreme temperatures can cause exhaustion, heatstroke, and similar injuries.

Am I Entitled to Workers’ Compensation Benefits if I Was Injured at a Construction Site in Durham?

Many North Carolina construction workers qualify for workers’ compensation benefits after a work-related injury. The North Carolina Industrial Commission, the state agency that oversees workers’ compensation claims, requires all businesses that employ three or more people to provide workers’ compensation insurance. The requirement applies to most North Carolina construction companies.

Where things can get tricky, legally speaking, is if your employer classifies you as an independent contractor. Independent contractors don’t usually qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, but state law includes an exception for certain subcontractors. That exception covers many construction workers.

Furthermore, your job title doesn’t determine your eligibility for workers’ comp benefits. If your job duties meet the definition of a regular employee, you qualify for benefits regardless of how your employer classifies your position. Our lawyers are ready to review your situation and advise you about your rights regarding workers’ compensation benefits.

Finally, workers’ compensation covers only injuries that happen at work or while an employee is performing a job-related task. For example, injuries sustained during your commute typically don’t qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. However, most injuries sustained while working at a construction site likely qualify.

Can I Bring a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim for My Construction Accident?

You usually can’t sue your employer or a co-worker after a construction accident, but you could sue other parties who caused your injuries. For instance, if your injury occurred because of defective construction equipment, you could file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer. Similarly, if the property owner didn’t address or warn you of potential hazards on the property that caused your injury, they might be liable.

It’s worth noting that while a personal injury claim requires you to prove fault to win your case (unlike workers’ comp benefits, which are not based on fault), they also let you seek compensation for losses workers’ comp doesn’t cover.

With help from our construction injury attorneys, your compensation in a third-party claim could include money for:

• The full amount of your lost income
• Reduced future income due to a disability
• Pain and suffering
• Your diminished quality of life
• The cost to repair or replace damaged personal property

What Compensation Can I Receive for My Injuries?

If you sustain a work-related injury at a construction site, your workers’ compensation benefits could include:

• Complete coverage of all reasonable, medically necessary treatments for your injuries
• Partial wage-replacement benefits, up to certain limits under North Carolina law
• Partial incapacity benefits if your injuries keep you from returning to your old job or earning as much as you did before
• Vocational rehabilitation benefits to help you find a new career, if necessary

How Our Durham Construction Accident Lawyers Can Help You

No matter what caused your construction injuries or how the accident occurred, trust Kornbluth Ginsberg to help you. We’ll handle all the legal work in your workers’ compensation claim, from gathering your medical records and submitting your claim to handling any claim appeals and maximizing your available benefits. We’ll also investigate the accident to see if you qualify for a third-party claim. If so, we’ll handle that case as well. We’ll keep you informed at every step, and you don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation.

Don’t wait to talk to a Durham workplace injury lawyer about your construction accident claim. Call Kornbluth Ginsberg now or reach out online for a free case review.