There are plenty of qualified attorneys in St. Tammany Parish who serve the people of Covington. You are doing your research, which means something has happened. Something serious enough to engage legal counsel. No one reads lawyer websites until they need one.
Our clients came to us after they were injured at construction sites, usually because of someone else's negligence or unsafe conditions. This page explains how construction accident claims work in Louisiana, what options exist beyond workers compensation, and what Morris & Dewett offers. Read it. Compare us to others. Make the decision that is right for your situation.
What Are the Leading Causes of Construction Accidents & Injuries?
There are four leading causes of construction accidents: falls, struck-by events, electrocutions, and caught-in-between incidents (source: CDC). Here is a closer look at each (source for all data below: CDC).
Falling Accidents
The number one cause of death for construction workers is falling. More than 1 in 3 fatal construction accidents (36.4%) involve a fall. About 3 in 4 of these deadly falls impact construction workers at smaller companies (those with fewer than 20 employees).
Construction falling accidents can occur from ladders, scaffolding, and other elevated areas. They can also happen on the same level, as in the case of slip and falls or trip and falls.
Struck-By Events
More than 1 in 7 fatal construction accidents (15.4%) involve a struck-by event. That means:
- More than 1 in 3 construction workers are killed in struck-by accidents each week.
- Since 2011, deadly struck-by accidents at construction sites have surged by nearly 8%.
These struck-by incidents include workers being hit by:
- Objects or equipment: More than half of these cases involve items falling from elevated areas and hitting workers. These items include construction materials, tools, industrial equipment, and other items.
- Motor vehicles: On construction sites, this means pedestrian accidents involving cars, 18-wheelers, cement trucks, and other vehicles.
Electrocutions
Electrocutions are responsible for about 1 in 13 deadly construction accidents (7.2%). They can occur via direct contact with electricity or a live current or indirect contact, like touching a pipe that is in contact with a power line.
Caught-in-Between Incidents
More than 5% of fatal construction accidents involve caught-in-between incidents. This includes collapsing materials and crushing accidents, as well as being caught up in and compressed by objects or equipment at construction sites. Caught-in-between incidents involving collapsing materials have spiked by more than 31% since 2018.
Other Causes of Construction Accidents & Injuries
Beyond the Fatal Four in the construction industry, other common causes of accidents and injuries for construction workers include:
- Defective equipment and mechanical failures
- Exposures to toxic or volatile substances
- Failures to comply with construction safety standards
- A lack of safety equipment and/or training for workers
At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, our Covington construction attorneys represent injured construction workers and their families. No matter how your construction accident occurred, we can explain your rights and options.
Construction Accident Statistics
The fatal injury rate for construction workers is 11 times greater than it is for the average worker in the U.S. The latest construction accident statistics reveal just how often workers in different sectors of the construction industry are dying on the job (source: BLS).
| Year | Total Construction Deaths | Building Construction | Heavy & Civil Engineering Construction | Specialty Trade Contractors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,061 | 222 | 156 | N/A |
| 2018 | 1,008 | 200 | 180 | 609 |
| 2017 | 971 | 196 | 152 | 610 |
| 2016 | 991 | 182 | 631 | -- |
If you or a loved one has been hurt while working on a construction site, a Covington construction accident lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers can evaluate your claim and identify all available legal options.
What Should I Do After a Construction Accident?
If you are conscious and able to do anything after a construction accident, here are the most important steps to take. These will help you protect your rights and claims going forward:
- Get emergency medical care. Do not try to tough it out and do not discount your injuries. See a doctor as soon as possible.
- Report the construction accident and your injuries to your employer. While it is best to do this as soon as you can, in Louisiana, you have 30 days from the date of your accident to report it to your employer to maintain eligibility for workers compensation benefits, if you qualify.
- Gather evidence. This can include the names and contact information of any witnesses, as well as pictures and/or videos of the accident scene, debris from the scene, and more.
- Continue receiving all necessary medical care and keep all medical bills and records. Continued medical care will result in detailed documentation of your injuries, which can be crucial. Your medical bills will be important too because they can help establish damages if you have a case outside of a workers compensation claim.
- Contact a Covington construction accident lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers. We can explain whether you have a personal injury claim beyond your workers compensation claim and outline the next steps for pursuing it.
When Can I Sue After a Construction Accident?
You may be able to sue a third party -- meaning a party other than your employer or one of its employees -- if a party outside of that employment relationship caused or contributed to your accident and injuries. A construction accident attorney can evaluate the facts of your case and identify all potential liable parties.
When Do I Need a Covington Construction Accident Lawyer?
Contact an attorney as soon as possible after a construction accident. A Covington construction accident lawyer can immediately start helping you by identifying whether you have a case beyond a workers compensation claim. If you do, your attorney can build you the strongest case, handling things like evidence preservation, expert retention, and liability investigation.
How Much Compensation Is Available After a Construction Accident?
Construction accident compensation depends on the specifics of your situation. If you have a successful third-party claim, compensation may include damages for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages for families who have lost loved ones
Compensation cannot reverse catastrophic injuries or deaths. What it can do is close the gap between what an injury costs and what insurance companies are willing to pay without legal pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the filing deadline for a Louisiana personal injury case?
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The filing deadline, called a prescriptive period, is one year under Louisiana Civil Code article 3492. This is one of the shortest deadlines in the country for personal injury cases. You must file your personal injury lawsuit within one year, or your case could be considered late. A trial court usually dismisses late filings, even if you would have been successful if you filed on time. Some exceptions may extend this deadline, but they are rare. Contact a Covington personal injury lawyer right away to avoid missing this critical deadline.
- Q: How much is my personal injury case worth?
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Every personal injury case is different. The value of your claim will depend on several factors, such as: - The severity of your injuries - How long it will take to recover fully, if ever - The impact on your daily life and relationships - Whether you can eventually return to work - The pain you endured and will continue to suffer - The fault of the defendant A free consultation with a Covington personal injury attorney can help you understand what your case may be worth.
- Q: How long does a personal injury case take to settle in Louisiana?
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How long your case will take depends on several factors. This includes the extent of the investigation, who was at fault, and whether the parties contest liability. It also depends on whether the defendant is willing to negotiate a fair settlement. At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, our goal is a settlement that fully compensates you for your damages. Many cases resolve without going to court. When defendants refuse to offer fair terms, we take cases to trial.
- Q: What should I do after an injury?
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There are a few important steps to take after an accident that can help your case: - **Get medical attention right away.** Seek medical attention if you suffered any injuries, whether minor or serious. This protects your health and creates key evidence to prove your personal injury case. Attend all follow-up appointments and follow the directions of your doctors. - **Notify an appropriate authority.** If you were in a car accident, call the police and notify your insurance company. If you were hurt at work, notify your supervisor. Report the injury so a report is made documenting the accident. - **Gather evidence.** Take photos and videos of the property damage and injuries you sustained. Keep all medical bills and contact information you receive related to your accident. - **Consult an attorney.** Consult an attorney soon after your accident. The filing deadline in Louisiana is only one year, so the sooner you act the better. An attorney can investigate and seek to prove your case.
These answers reflect Louisiana law as of . For case specific advice, consult with a Louisiana personal injury attorney who can evaluate your particular circumstances.