Construction Accident Lawyers in Albuquerque, New Mexico

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 4,836 workers died on the job in 2015. Of these deaths, one in five of the people who were killed were working in construction. These numbers don’t begin to account for the number of people injured each year while on the job at construction sites. Construction jobs are among the most dangerous jobs a person can do. If you or a family member has been injured on a construction site, you may be facing a range of challenges. You may no longer be able to work. You may be struggling under the weight of expensive medical and rehabilitative bills. Your family may be struggling to adjust to lifestyle changes after an accident.

The stress that a family can experience after an accidental injury can be immense. Fortunately, the law offers protections to workers who have been injured in construction accidents. If you or a loved one has been hurt, contact the construction accident lawyers at the Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our firm can review the factors leading up to your accident, can help you fight denied worker’s compensation claims, and can hold all stakeholders accountable for your injuries.

Kinds of Construction Accidents and Injuries

Construction sites are dangerous because they put workers at risk of some of the more serious kinds of injuries individuals can sustain. According to the OHSA, the leading causes of construction accidents and injuries are:

  • Falls
  • Being struck by an object
  • Electrocutions
  • Caught in between, or compression injuries when structures collapse

These accidents can result in serious injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding and trauma, burns, and other serious injuries that can impact a person’s ability to work and to enjoy regular life activities. Despite the real risk that construction sites pose, employers sometimes continue to be in violation of basic OHSA standards. For instance, construction sites may fail to provide proper fall protection to workers or they may fail to provide proper training. Workplaces should be safe and free of hazards, but some construction sites don’t meet basic requirements. Scaffolding may not be sound. Workers should be provided with proper protection to keep them safe from exposure to hazardous chemicals and equipment, but they don’t always receive this safety equipment. Wiring and other electrical components should also be secured for safety, but some workplaces fail to meet basic standards. If you’ve been injured on the job and believe that your employer failed to meet basic safety standards, contact the construction accident attorneys at the Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our firm can evaluate your workplace’s history of violations and determine whether further action can be taken to protect your rights and help you get the recovery you may deserve.

Worker’s Compensation in Albuquerque, New Mexico

If you’ve been hurt in a construction accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you may be entitled to receive a recovery from New Mexico’s worker’s compensation. Under the law, if you’ve been involved in an emergency injury in New Mexico, you are entitled to seek medical care. However, if you’ve been injured in a non-emergency accident, it is important that you inform your employer before you seek medical care. After your accident, you will need to file appropriate claims and inform your employer about your injury.

Under worker’s compensation, you may be entitled to receive money to pay medical expenses, money to cover lost wages, and money to cover disability. Most workers in New Mexico are protected under worker’s compensation insurance. However, if your employer claims that you are not covered or if you are having difficulty making a claim, you may want to speak to the construction accident lawyers at the Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our firm can see why your claims are being denied and fight to help you seek the recovery you may deserve, either through worker’s compensation or through a lawsuit, if necessary.

If you’ve been in a construction accident you should:

  • Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts
  • Keep paycheck stubs
  • Record the names of people who witnessed or who were involved in the accident
  • Note the dates you missed work or dates you were in the hospital or seeking treatment for your injuries

If your worker’s compensation claim has been denied, you may want to contact an ombudsman in New Mexico who can help you understand your rights. However, according to New Mexico’s  Worker’s Compensation Administration, you may need to hire an attorney to represent you and to fight your denied claim. The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC are Albuquerque, New Mexico construction accident lawyers who can help you fight a denied claim. Navigating the worker’s compensation process after a claim has been denied can be confusing. You don’t have to do it alone.

Protect Your Rights and Seek Justice Today

Construction sites can be incredibly dangerous, not just to workers but also to private individuals passing by. If you’ve been injured near or at a construction site, you may be entitled to seek compensation under the law. Construction site owners and employers have a responsibility to maintain safe sites. If you’ve been hurt, contact the construction accident attorneys at the Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC today in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our firm can fight to protect your rights and help you seek the maximum possible recovery under the law. Call us at 505-207-4401.