Falling Object Accident Lawyers in Delaware
Helping You Seek Financial Compensation
Around 20% of American workplace deaths each year occur in construction. While the industry has inherent risks, many serious accidents are actually the result of negligence. Fatigue, a lack of training, inattention, and a variety of other careless and reckless actions can lead to devastating mishaps such as workers being struck by falling objects. If you or a loved one was injured in such an incident, a falling object accident lawyer in Delaware may be able to help.
At Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, we speak to accident victims and their families every day. We know the financial devastation that can occur when a serious accident takes place. Our Delaware construction accident attorneys help injury victims seek the compensation they deserve — typically through workers’ comp or personal injury claims.
How Serious Are Falling Object Accidents?
Few people realize just how serious falling object accidents can be. Most recognize that a falling piece of heavy machinery can cause significant damage, but harm has come from much smaller items as well. For instance, a man in New Jersey died after a one-pound tape measure fell from a building and struck him. The fact is that accidents involving falling objects are very often injurious and even fatal.
In fact, falling objects are in one of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” categories. Around 10% of all worker deaths occur when someone is struck by something. About half of these incidents involve falling objects. While these statistics may not seem particularly impressive, they account for hundreds of deaths every year since around 5,000 American workers die yearly while on the job. To put it simply, falling objects are among the most serious threats to construction employees.
When a person is involved in such an accident, the outcomes are often detrimental physically, emotionally, and financially. Victims may be unable to work as hospital bills continue to climb. They’ll often have to deal with pain and suffering, emotional distress, and even the loss of loved ones during a case of wrongful death. Unfortunately, people lose far more than they should. This is why you should have a falling object accidents attorney in Delaware on your side.
Is There a Deadline for Seeking Compensation?
If you were injured on or near a construction site — regardless of whether you were on the job or not — there are deadlines for filing a claim. If you were working at the time you were struck by a falling object, you need to report your injury within 10 days. Your claim for workers’ compensation benefits should also be submitted within 90 days. Ideally, each of these would occur much sooner. Report your injury and file for benefits as soon as possible.
The major statute of limitations regarding workers’ comp comes into play if you’re denied benefits. After a denial, you’ll need to submit a petition to the Delaware Industrial Accident Board. You have two years from the date of your injury to do this. Unfortunately, the process is often time-consuming and complex. This is why you should consider seeking assistance from a Delaware workers’ compensation attorney.
If you weren’t on the job when injured — or if you were working and a third party was involved — rules regarding personal injury claims come into play. In Delaware, there’s a two-year statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit following an injury. While this may seem like plenty of time, personal injury cases become more difficult to prove as time goes by. Don’t risk your case with procrastination. Contact our falling object accident lawyers in Delaware today.
Do I Need a Falling Object Accident Lawyer?
Our Delaware personal injury attorneys are often asked why someone needs a lawyer after experiencing an accident. This is particularly the case when workers’ compensation should provide benefits. There are several problems, however, with this assumption. First, you may benefit from legal representation if you’re denied benefits. Second, without a case review, you may not realize if you’re entitled to workers’ comp and personal injury damages.
This can happen in situations where a third party is involved in your accident. There are often dozens of contractors on a job site at any given time. If the negligence of someone outside of your company causes an accident, they or their business may be held financially accountable. In such situations, it’s important to seek compensation in this manner since workers’ comp won’t typically cover non-monetary damages.
When someone is potentially entitled to personal injury damages, they can usually benefit from an attorney. For instance, our falling object accident lawyers in Delaware can handle settlement negotiations with insurance companies for you. This will help you avoid being taken advantage of by adjusters. And if a fair settlement can’t be reached in your case, an experienced attorney knows how to file your case in court to seek maximum compensation.
Contact a Falling Object Accident Lawyer in Delaware Today
Suffering even a minor injury at work can cause significant disruptions to a person’s life. Unfortunately, there are many instances when job site accidents are anything but “minor.” This is particularly the case if you’re involved in one of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” incidents. If you’ve been injured on or near a construction site due to a falling object, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Don’t risk leaving money on the table that could help you get back to some sense of normalcy.
At Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, our construction accident attorneys have spent years serving clients in Delaware and the surrounding region. During this time, we’ve seen how detrimental such accidents can be to victims and their loved ones. That’s why we’re committed to securing every last dime of compensation you and your family deserve. Contact us today by calling (302) 678-8700 for a free case review. Let our falling object accident lawyers in Delaware advocate for you.