Construction Worker Safety Tips to Protect Your Rights

Construction sites can be among the most dangerous places to work. With many things going on at once, it is easy to see why so many accidents take place. To ensure that your rights are protected, take these following steps:

1. Know your employer. Construction workers are often sent out to work for different employers on different days. The best way to protect yourself is to make note of the name and address of each employer each day you work and find out the full name of your foreman. You should also save your pay stubs for each employer you have in order to keep a record of where you have worked.
2. Know the general contractor. It is the general contractor who is responsible for overall safety on a construction site. A general contractor can be held responsible for damages in the event that he negligently maintains a work site causing an injury. Further, if your employer violates the law and fails to provide you workers’ compensation coverage for your injury, then the general contractor can be held liable to provide you workers’ compensation coverage.
3. Know your co-workers. In the event of an injury, your co-workers are your best witnesses as to the happening of the accident as well as the cause. They may have seen things that you did not which may help you in the event of an injury. They may also be in a position to verify the happening of the accident if your account of what happened to you is challenged.
4. Report all incidents and injuries immediately. It is critical that all accidents be reported immediately when they occur for your protection. Because you may not be a regular employee of a subcontractor, your employer may not want to take action in hopes that you will go away. After notifying the foreman, you should ask the foreman who to follow up with at the company. You should do this even if you do not need immediate medical treatment. The sprain or strain that you feel you can shake off may turn into something more serious.
5. Notify your union if injured. Your union should have all the payroll and company information available and can assist you in placing the claim properly.

We at Stark & Stark know that protecting the rights of injured or sick employees is a difficult time consuming and often confusing process. Stark & Stark has a group of lawyers supported by a team of paralegals who practice only in the workers’ compensation area for clients injured on the job. These injuries may include traumatic accidents, occupational diseases and injuries caused by toxic substances or even stress. Our construction accident lawyers will make sure you receive all of the benefits available to you including lost wages, payment of authorized medical expenses, and, if appropriate, a cash award for your injuries.