Who Is At Fault?

A construction accident can disrupt the life of a construction worker, preventing them from supporting their family and saddling them with lifelong medical costs and the burden of rehabilitation. Determining liability in a Georgia construction accident is complicated by contractor/subcontractor relationships, ownership, and federal and state regulations overseeing construction. In Georgia, construction workers are overseen by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and are also subject to Georgia state law.

Workers' Compensation Law in Georgia

Workers' compensation is available to Georgia construction workers who undergo an injury while at work, no matter how severe the injury. Workers' compensation benefits cover death and disability and are administered through the state Board of Workers' Compensation. Insurance carriers and employers each play a role in distributing workers' compensation benefits. The system can be complicated to understand because it is separate from the civil litigation system. For a greater understanding of workers' compensation benefits and to ensure that you are properly compensated for an injury sustained in a Georgia construction accident, contact an experienced Georgia construction accident attorney.

If You're in a Construction Accident

Your Georgia construction accident lawyer can also help determine what civil liability, if any, exists in your accident. This involves considering several factors, including prime contractor responsibility. Since OSHA holds prime contractors ultimately responsible for work practices, worksite coordination, and safety on a Georgia construction site, contractors usually carry some form of liability for an accident. However, this may be complicated if subcontractors were onsite during the accident. Usually, prime and sub-contractors end up sharing responsibility for construction accidents, but making a liability decision can be hard and usually requires the services of a competent attorney.

Better training and safety awareness are the best ways for contractors and employers to improve workplace safety. However, up-to-date equipment, proper licensing, and good cleaning habits can also play a role. If you feel that your contractor or employer has been negligent in workplace safety and has caused or contributed to your construction accident, consider contacting an experienced attorney.

Your Georgia construction accident lawyer can help you file workers' compensation and civil claims and may be able to help you recover monetary damages for things such as lost wages, future medical care, and vocational rehabilitation, should you not be able to return to construction work.

To have your case evaluated by an experienced Georgia construction accident lawyer, fill out our case evaluation form. There is no cost and no obligation.