New Orleans Construction Accident Lawyer

New Orleans Construction Accident Attorney

When workers suffer from construction accidents, their injuries also affect their families. Construction zones are dangerous areas. Even so, that doesn’t excuse neglect. When someone gets hurt, someone else often fails to do their job. A New Orleans construction accident lawyer can help if someone doesn’t want to pay.

Putting People Ahead of Profits

Big companies and their legal teams don’t scare us. At Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C., our personal injury attorneys in New Orleans have been taking them on since 1949. Our clients benefit from the experience of trial-tested attorneys. We understand what’s at risk when life is interrupted by injury.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents

Construction sites are full of risks. Workers face danger every day from unsafe conditions. In many cases, safety rules get bypassed. That puts everyone on the job in danger.

One of the leading causes of injury is falling from heights. A misstep can leave a worker with broken bones or worse. Electrocution is another risk, especially if live wires go unmarked.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana saw 28 fatal construction accidents in one year. Many of these could have been avoided with better oversight.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims

Workers’ compensation helps pay for medical treatment and lost income. It’s usually the first way an injured worker receives help. Unfortunately, it usually doesn’t cover everything. Workers’ compensation won’t pay for pain and suffering.

That’s where a third-party claim comes in. If someone besides the employer caused the accident, the injured worker may be able to file a separate case. This could be against a subcontractor or even the property owner. These claims provide broader recovery.

Many people think only the employer can be held responsible. That’s not always true. In construction injury cases, more than one party may be at fault. It’s important to know the difference between the two. A worker may qualify for both. One claim covers basic needs. The other addresses deeper harm. An experienced attorney can help decide what makes sense based on what happened.

Key Steps After an Injury

Construction workers should act quickly after an accident. These early steps help protect their legal rights:

• Medical attention: Get medical attention right away. Don’t wait. Even if the injury feels minor, it might be worse than it looks. Medical records help show the injury came from the job.
• Report the incident: Tell someone in charge as soon as possible. Make sure the report gets written down. This creates a record of what happened.
• Take photos of the site: If it’s safe, get pictures. Focus on what caused the injury. Broken tools or missing barriers can all help the case.
• Get witness contact info: Coworkers who saw the incident can support the claim. Their words may help confirm what went wrong.
• Talk to an attorney: Insurance companies may try to settle fast. A legal team can review the facts. They can help the worker avoid mistakes that hurt the claim.

Even one missed step can weaken a case. Acting early makes a big difference.

Evidence in Construction Cases

Evidence has to show how the accident happened. That’s why the quality of evidence matters as much as the amount.

Photos taken at the time help explain the scene. Injury reports filed with the employer give a timeline. Site logs show if inspections happened or were ignored. OSHA citations can help prove neglect.

In Louisiana, 21% of all fatal construction accidents come from transportation incidents (6 out of a total of 28). These accidents often leave behind a clear trail. That trail must be collected early.

Wrongful Death From Construction Accidents

Construction deaths leave deep scars on families. A wrongful death claim can’t bring back a loved one. However, a claim can help provide support after a loss.

In Louisiana, the law allows certain relatives to file a claim. The most common include a surviving spouse and children. If the individual did not have these relatives, others might be able to file.

In Louisiana, 27% of the state’s workplace deaths were in construction (28 out of a total of 104). These are often preventable. A wrongful death claim can help prevent the same harm from happening to another family.

FAQs About New Orleans, LA Construction Accident Law

Ready to Act

Injuries on a job site carry more than just physical pain. They affect a person’s ability to live a full life. Construction companies fight hard to limit what they pay. Schedule a consultation with Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. to talk to people who understand what’s at stake.