Throughout South Carolina, business is booming. Construction crews are putting up new subdivisions and commercial developments from the Upstate to the Lowcountry. In fact, construction companies in the Charleston area are so busy that they often struggle to fill all of their job openings, according to news reports.
This is terrific news for South Carolina workers. Still, progress can come with a price. Rapid development can also lead to a rapid increase in construction accidents, injuries and deaths.
Since our firm’s founding in 1968, Joye Law Firm has fought for the rights of injured workers in Charleston and throughout our state. We always strive to do more than recover compensation for our clients. We want to restore the quality of their lives, too.
If you have suffered injury in a Charleston construction site accident and suddenly find yourself worrying about losing income and paying your medical bills, you can trust Joye Law Firm to provide the skilled and compassionate legal help you need.
Call or connect with us online today for a free consultation.
About the Charleston Construction Industry
Charleston has become one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. In recent years, it regained its title as the largest city in South Carolina, according to The Post and Courier. Major developments in the area include the Ingleside Gateway Office Building (a 40,000-square foot medical/office complex located at the corner of US-78 and Ingleside Boulevard in North Charleston) and the major revitalization project underway in West Ashley. Plus, each corner seems to be dotted with a new hotel, shopping center or community development. The rapid expansion of Charleston and surrounding cities like North Charleston, Goose Creek and Summerville, is fueled by the dedication and skill of local construction teams.
Common Accidents on Charleston Construction Sites
Unfortunately, construction work can be dangerous work. In 2016, one out of every five worker deaths in our country occurred in the construction industry, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports. The leading causes of fatal injuries in the construction industry were:
- Falls (from heights such as roofs, ladders and scaffolding as well as same-level falls, or slip and falls, due to cluttered working areas)
- Getting struck by an object (such as falling tools or debris)
- Electrocutions (often due to exposure to “live” power lines)
- Getting caught in or between objects (such as equipment).
In addition to these common causes of construction injuries, our law firm has also seen workers suffer injuries due to:
- Vehicle collisions
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment
- Fires and explosions
- Forklift accidents
- Improper training
- A wide range of OSHA violations (including the failure to provide workers with proper safety equipment such as fall protection systems or to communicate about hazardous chemicals).
If you are a construction worker who was injured on the job in Charleston, you should immediately report the injury to your employer and seek medical attention right away. In addition to health reasons, doing so will protect your right to pursue workers’ compensation benefits and, perhaps, additional compensation. You should also:
- Write down the names and contact information of co-workers or others who may have witnessed the accident
- Keep all paperwork and reports, including medical bills and receipts from other accident-related expenses
- Keep track of your medical treatments, appointments and providers
- Follow medical advice carefully
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Legal Options for Injured Charleston Construction Workers
After a construction site injury, many workers are unable to return to their jobs in the same capacity (or return to work at all). As a result, they may struggle to provide for themselves and their loved ones. It can set a family back in terms of building financial stability.
At Joye Law Firm, we understand the pressure and challenges that injured construction workers face. We want to help. We start by providing a free consultation in which we can learn the facts of your case and review all of your options. Those options may include:
- Workers’ compensation benefits – When you are injured on the job in South Carolina, you typically have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. It will depend on your employment status. If you are an employee, then you may qualify for medical benefits as well as lost-wage benefits due to a disability. If you are an independent contractor, then you would not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. However, in some cases, you may still qualify as a worker is an employee who is eligible for benefits under the law. Many times, an employer or insurance company may try to avoid payment by arguing that the worker is an independent contractor. For this reason, you should always ask a lawyer to review your case.
- Personal injury damages – In some situations, an injured construction worker in Charleston may be able to bring a personal injury claim, which can provide compensation that goes beyond what workers’ compensation benefits provide. For instance, if a non-employer’s negligence causes you to suffer injury on the job site, you could potentially bring a third-party liability claim against that party in addition to filing a claim for workers’ comp benefits (although the award could be subject to a workers’ compensation lien). For example, in addition to his workers’ compensation benefits, the Joye Law Firm was able to obtain significant settlement for a construction worker who fell from scaffolding that was defectively installed by a third-party. Read more about our workers compensation results.
At Joye Law Firm, our team of experienced construction accident attorneys will explore all sources of compensation that are available to you. When you work with our law firm, you can count on our legal team to:
- Fully investigate your case
- Consult with experts to determine how your injury occurred and how it has affected your life
- Pursue the benefits and/or personal injury damages you deserve through the settlement negotiation process
- Fight for you at a workers’ compensation hearing or civil trial, if necessary.
We have the skill and experience necessary to handle your case – no matter how serious or catastrophic your injuries may be. Most of the time, powerful insurance companies will represent employers. They will want to finalize your claim quickly and for as little money as possible. If some other party is responsible for your injuries, you should expect that they will also fight to avoid paying you. You will need a lawyer by your side who will protect you from start to finish.
Get Help from a Charleston Construction Accident Attorney Today
At Joye Law Firm, we put nearly 250 years of combined experience in your corner. We will not take a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf. We also never charge for our initial consultations. You truly have nothing to lose by contacting us about your construction accident.
Time is limited. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to pursue compensation, and you may lose your right to recover compensation altogether if you wait too long to take action. To learn more, contact us today through our North Charleston office.
