Construction Accident Legal Process - You've Been Injured - Now What?

excavation contractor Massachusetts

If you work in the excavation contractor Massachusetts  industry, you know that construction sites can be dangerous. However, you probably don't spend your free time thinking about what steps to take in case you become injured. This simple guide will demystify the legal process that occurs after an injury on the job. Many people feel that contacting a lawyer is intimidating, but in reality, a lawyer's job is not only to win your case or claim, but also to help you feel comfortable throughout the sometimes confusing and lengthy legal process.

What Happens After an Injury on a excavation contractor Massachusetts  Site?

1. Seek medical attention first. For your future well being, it is best to seek immediate medical attention and then continue with any suggested treatments.

2. Contact a personal injury lawyer that specializes in construction accident claims. The sooner you can contact a legal representative, the better because often it is necessary to request court orders to preserve evidence on the site.

3. Hire a qualified workers' compensation lawyer to assist with your medical cost and lost wage benefits. Your construction accident attorney may handle this for you, or may give you a referral.

4. Your lawyer will conduct a detailed interview where you will be able to go over the incident leading to your injury, your background, and any other important factors. Remember, your lawyer is on your side, so there is no reason to feel intimidated during your interview.

5. Your lawyer will most likely have you sign a contingent fee agreement, which means that that the attorney will receive payment upon settlement of your claim. Typically, this fee is one-third of the settlement.

6. Your attorney will have you sign forms allowing him or her to obtain records on your behalf.

7. Your attorney will conduct research and interview witnesses of the accident. Prompt investigation is essential to get accurate information. This process may involve your attorney contacting Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other investigative parties to check for past infractions or warnings. Additionally, third-party contractors must be examined. For example, 4,500 accidents related to scaffolding malfunction occur each year--in such a case, the scaffolding company would need to be contacted and researched as well.

8. Following the investigation process, your lawyer will send claim letters to the person or companies deemed responsible for your injuries and attempt to establish communication with their insurance companies.

9. If you are undergoing medical treatment, your lawyer will remain in contact with the faulty party or the insurance company.

10. Once a medical end-result is established, your lawyer will try to settle the claim.

11. Sometimes a claim cannot be settled. Sometimes the case is filed quickly in court to preserve evidence. Your lawyer may wish to put the case into suit even while you are still treating for your injuries. Even though your case is filed in court, it may settle, or it may go to trial.

12. The case will take a year or more to reach trial. In the mean time, your attorney will continue to investigate your case and prepare for the trial.



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How To Become A Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts

excavation contractor Massachusetts

Becoming a excavation contractor Massachusetts  Supervisor in the state of Massachusetts can give you a lot of employment options. The construction industry is doing well and is expected to keep growing. It actually makes up more than five percent of the United States job sector. With the field of construction doing so well, holding a license in this industry can help increase the odds that even in a bad economy you should be able to find steady employment. As a licensed construction supervisor you can opt to work for a large construction firm or work independently with a company of your own. With that said you first need to pass the state exam.

Are You Eligible?

To be eligible to pass the exam, the state of Massachusetts first requires that candidates have at least three years of experience in the excavation contractor Massachusetts  industry. If you have a Bachelor of Science in construction or engineering, or a very closely related field you will automatically be given credit for two years of experience. To accrue the third year, you will have to work for at least one year, at forty hours a week within the construction industry. The state will require proof of this employment via W2 tax forms. Additionally all candidates must be at least 18 years old.

The State Exam

If deemed qualified to take the test by the state, candidates will be tested on their knowledge of the overall general contracting procedures as well as their knowledge of building codes. The exam itself if very regulated. The state uses a company called Prometric, Inc, to administer the test. They are backed by the Department of Public Safety. The fee for the Construction Supervisor exam is one hundred dollars.

What is the license good for?

In the state of MA, the construction of any building up to 35000 cubic feet requires a construction supervisor to oversee the project. MA offers two different license classes for this for this particular license; unrestricted and restricted. The restricted license is good for one and two family residential buildings. On the other hand the unrestricted license is good on buildings up to 35000 cubic feet.




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Common Construction Site Injuries

excavation contractor Massachusetts

excavation contractor Massachusetts  sites can be dangerous places, even when safely maintained. The presence of heavy machinery can lead to serious personal injuries or even fatal accidents. There are also industrial tools and raw materials which can lead to bodily harm.

Below is a list of common excavation contractor Massachusetts  site injuries which occur on worksites. If you've been a victim of a construction site accident, you may be entitled to file a claim against a liable third-party in addition to your Workers' Compensation benefits. Speaking to a Massachusetts personal injury lawyer in your area is the best way to determine your legal options.

Head Injuries

As a construction worker, you are required to wear a hard hat while on-site. But hard hats will not always prevent head injuries. A heavy impact can cause brain trauma, a concussion, or coma, any of which can have long-term effects or even result in death.

Joint dislocations

Construction involves physical activity, which can be hard on your body's joints. An irregular movement or sudden impact can cause joint dislocation. These types of construction site injuries may prevent you from physical activity and force you to miss work for an extended period of time.

Severe gashes

Because of the use of industrial tools, gashes happen regularly on construction sites. These can lead to serious infections, which can be hazardous if left untreated.

Burn injuries

With so much heat and chemicals being used, there are often burn injuries on construction sites. These are slow to heal, can be very painful, and depending on the severity, may require surgeries such as skin grafts.

Severed nerves

If you have severed a nerve, you may also suffer from a variety of resulting medical conditions. This may lead to the loss of sensation in an affected limb, or even complete paralysis. The damage that you suffer from a severed nerve may impact you for the rest of your life.

Loss of a limb

The loss of a limb is one of the most traumatic accidents that can occur on a construction site. Unfortunately, this happens more often than it should, and it has ended the careers of many who depended on their full physical capabilities.

What to do if you have been injured on a Massachusetts construction site

If you have sustained a serious construction site injury while on a Massachusetts construction site, you may be able to seek damages through a personal injury lawsuit, even if you are collecting Workers' Compensation. The first step is contacting a Massachusetts personal injury attorney.

A Massachusetts personal injury attorney with experience in third-party construction accident claims will investigate your case, and estimate the values of your potential personal injury claim. You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Your medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Any wages that you may have lost
• Any wages or future income that you will lose as a result of our injury.






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