Have you or a loved one been injured in a construction accident in Lake Charles, LA? You could be entitled to workers’ compensation or damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Call a Lake Charles construction accident lawyer at Hale Injury Lawyers today at (337) 426-1071 to explore your legal options.
Our trusted attorneys have over 61 years of combined experience. We’ve used our legal knowledge and resources to help injured clients recover tens of millions of dollars since we opened our legal practice.
Claims involving workers’ comp often involve complex legal issues. Get the legal advice you deserve by contacting our law offices in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to schedule a free consultation.
How Hale Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Construction Accident in Lake Charles
You could be facing a long and painful recovery if you were hurt on a construction site. You shouldn’t have to worry about money. Fortunately, you have options for recovering compensation.
Our experienced Lake Charles personal injury lawyers at Hale Injury Lawyers are here to fight for every dollar you deserve. Members of our team have been recognized as Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” and the Top Trial Lawyers in America.
When you hire us, you gain an advocate to:
- Help you understand your rights under state law
- Protect you if your right to workers’ comp is challenged
- Identify all responsible parties and gather the evidence to prove your case
- Determine the level of workers’ comp you’re entitled to receive
- Negotiate with the insurance companies
- Represent you at trial or before the workers’ compensation board
Workers’ compensation is supposed to make things easier for injured construction workers and their families. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. To learn more about how an experienced Lake Charles personal injury attorney can help you recover fair compensation for your injuries, give us a call today.
Statistics on Construction Accidents in Louisiana
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 141 fatal workplace accidents were reported across the state in 2021. Of that total, 31 workplace fatalities involved construction industry workers.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission also keeps track of non-fatal injuries in the state. According to their statistics, thousands of construction workers suffered non-fatal injuries in 2021.
Types of Construction Site Accident Cases We Handle
At Hale Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of construction accident claims, including those involving:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Building collapse
- Fires and explosions
- Falls from roofs and ladders
- Crane accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Nail gun accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Welding accidents
- Electrocutions
- Electric shock
- Accidents where workers are caught between two objects
If you were injured on the job, don’t hesitate to reach out for legal help today. Our Lake Charles construction accident attorneys are here to answer any questions you have.
Am I Required To Prove Negligence To Recover Compensation After a Construction Accident?
As long as your injuries were work-related, you’re probably entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under Louisiana workers’ compensation law. Louisiana’s workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Benefits are available even when the injured worker is responsible for their own injuries–so you won’t have to prove negligence to receive workers’ comp benefits.
Establishing fault can still be important to your case. Workers’ comp doesn’t cover everything. If you can prove that someone other than your employer caused your injuries, you can recover damages from the at-fault party. You will likely have to prove negligence to recover these additional damages.
For example, you may have a valid personal injury claim against a:
- Negligent driver in a car accident
- Manufacturer of a defective work tool
- Property owner who failed maintain their property
- General contractor or supplier
- Employer of a negligent party
If you suspect that someone other than your employer caused your accident, our attorneys serving Lake Charles can help you prove it. Contact our law firm today to get started.
What Is My Lake Charles Construction Accident Case Worth?
The value of your case will depend on many different factors.
The most important include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your earnings prior to the accident
- Whether you can work in any capacity during recovery
- The length of your recovery
- The circumstances of the accident and the identity of the at-fault party
The value of your case can also hinge on whether you’re entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit or are limited to workers’ comp. Workers’ comp only covers about ⅔ of your average weekly wages while you recover. Weekly workers’ compensation benefits are also capped by state law.
Our Lake Charles workers’ compensation lawyers know the legal system well. Our goal is to maximize your financial recovery after an injury. We’re here to help you file a claim for workers’ compensation and determine whether you have additional rights under state law.
What Benefits Are Available Under Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Laws?
Workers’ compensation covers the full amount of your reasonable and necessary medical expenses.
Injured workers are also entitled to workers’ comp disability benefits. The exact benefits you might receive will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries.
Disability benefits include:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
- Supplemental Earnings Benefits (SEB) to supplement your income if you can perform light-duty work during recovery
- Lump sum disability benefits for victims of catastrophic workplace injuries
- Vocational rehabilitation if you’re unable to return to your prior line of work
- Death benefits in fatal injury cases
Victims are also entitled to seek mileage reimbursement for travel to and from medical appointments.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims Under Louisiana Personal Injury Laws?
While workers’ comp only covers partial economic losses, personal injury laws give victims the right to seek compensation for full economic and non-economic damages.
Examples of the types of damages that may be available in your case include:
- Any medical expenses not covered under workers’ comp
- 100% of your lost income during recovery
- Reduced future earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental conditions, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Your non-economic damages can greatly increase your case’s value. Our personal injury attorneys in Lake Charles are committed to helping our injured clients recover the full compensation they deserve. We review your case for free, so call to schedule a free consultation today.
Construction Accidents Can Cause Life-Altering Injuries in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Our accident lawyers in Lake Charles often represent clients in cases involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Eye injuries
- Hearing loss
- Soft tissue damage
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Lung damage
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
It’s important to seek medical treatment quickly if you are injured on the job. Prompt medical care can both prevent complications and strengthen your claim for compensation at a later date.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Lake Charles, Louisiana?
Any construction worker will tell you that construction is a dangerous industry. It’s also a complex industry. It’s common for multiple teams to work simultaneously on the same construction project. That means it can sometimes be tough to determine the precise cause of an accident.
Some of the most common causes of construction accidents include:
- Lack of proper fall protection
- Exposure to live electricity
- Faulty wires
- Dangerous property conditions
- Negligent hiring practices, including hiring unqualified workers
- Failure to properly train and supervise workers
- Communication failures
- Defective or improperly secured scaffolding
- Defective work equipment and tools
- Failure to maintain work equipment in safe condition
- Debris and unsecured objects
- Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals
Some work-related accidents are more dangerous than others. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the top four causes of deadly construction accidents are:
- Falls
- Being struck by an object
- Being caught between two objects
- Electrocutions
Do you need help establishing your right to compensation? Is the insurance company challenging your right to workers’ comp benefits? Contact our legal team today for legal advice.
How Long Do I Have To File An Injury Claim After a Construction Accident in Louisiana?
After any workplace accident, it’s important to notify your employer as soon as possible. Wait too long, and you might lose your right to workers’ compensation benefits.
The deadline for filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits varies based on the type of benefits you’re entitled to receive. That deadline can range from one year to three years.
If you can file a personal injury lawsuit, the statute of limitations gives you two years to take legal action.
As these deadlines can be complex, it is best to confirm the timeline for your particular case with a qualified attorney as soon as possible after an accident.
Contact a Trusted Lake Charles Construction Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you were involved in a construction accident, Contact our law offices at (337) 888-4253 for legal assistance today. With an experienced Lake Charles construction accident lawyer by your side, you greatly improve your chances of getting every dollar you deserve.
Lake Charles, LA Emergency Rooms
- Lake Charles Memorial Hospital: Emergency Room – 1701 Oak Park Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601
- CHRISTUS Ochsner Lake Area Hospital: Emergency Room – 4200 Nelson Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70605
- CHRISTUS Dubuis Hospital – 524 South Ryan St 5th floor, Lake Charles, LA 70601
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
Lake Charles Construction Accident Testimonial
“Blake Hale is the absolute TRUTH!! I couldn’t speak higher about this family man, who truly cares about his clients. I’ve referred multiple people to him and I won’t stop because he worked magic for me and the people I refer. If I could rate more than 5 stars I 100% would. They cover such a wide range of legal issues that they cover. Just give them a call and I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!”
– Courtney Jicks
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Local Emergency Rooms in Lake Charles, LA
- Lake Charles Memorial Hospital – 1701 Oak Park Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601
- CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital – 524 Dr Michael Debakey Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601
- Lake Charles Urgent Care – 1905 Country Club Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70605
- SouthStar Urgent Care – 3829 Ryan St Suite 300, Lake Charles, LA 70605
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
