Construction accidents can be nasty, and workers are often badly hurt. When taking legal action for a construction-related accident, it is imperative that you document as much as possible. Considering how complex these kinds of cases can be, there might be a lot of information to document, and you need to know what is and is not important to your case. A lawyer can help you effectively plan your case.
First, document the accident and report it to your employer. If there is a written incident report from your employer, keep a copy of that, too. Also, try to get copies of information sent from your employer to their insurance provider. Second, you should keep track of doctor’s appointments, and we can help you gather your medical records. Third, keep a journal or diary of your personal experiences, as they may form the basis for non-economic damages claims. Finally, keep thorough records of costs, bills, and receipts so we know exactly how much money you lost because of the accident.
Get a free, confidential review of your case from our Philadelphia construction accident lawyers by calling (215) 709-6940 and speaking to our team at The Reiff Law Firm.
Documenting Your Injuries and Reporting to Your Employer After a Construction Accident in Pennsylvania
Recording and documenting your accident should begin almost immediately. After you are injured, you or someone else, perhaps a coworker, should report the accident to your employer immediately. Many workers are badly hurt and might be unable to alert their employers immediately. If this is the case, you should talk to your employer about the accident as soon as reasonably possible.
Save any reports or documentation about the accident that you receive from your employer. This might include official incident reports confirming that your employer was informed of the accident and your injuries. There might also be various other documents or communications. If someone else reported the accident, make sure their name and information are included in your documentation.
Save any communications you exchanged with your employer about the accident. If you talk to your employer in person or over the phone and there is no paper trail, make one. Even jotting down notes about these conversations, including the dates and times they occurred, can be very helpful.
Also, save communications involving your employer’s insurance company. Your employer might want you to go through Workers’ Compensation. How our Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers review any offer you receive before you accept it. If you can sue, you should.
Medical Documentation for a Construction Accident Case in Pennsylvania
If you are injured in a construction accident, you should go to the doctor immediately. Not only do you need immediate medical care for your injuries, but you need to begin creating medical records about your injuries. Your doctor should keep extremely thorough records of your injuries, diagnoses, and treatments when you receive treatment.
While you recover, let your lawyer collect your medical records. This can be a somewhat complicated task if you are treated by multiple doctors in different hospitals. It can also take some time for your records to be assembled for you.
Keep track of appointments and have regular check-ups, even if you feel like your condition has not changed much. The more often you see a doctor, the more accurate your medical records will be, and the harder they will be to challenge in court.
Recording Personal Information and Experiences for a Construction Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Not all your documentation needs to be “official.” You can create your own documentation for injuries and personal experiences that might otherwise go unrecorded. It is wise to keep a journal of personal experiences such as pain and suffering. This might help us claim non-economic damages for subjective yet painful experiences from the accident and your injuries.
Do not be dishonest in your personal recordings, and avoid embellishing the truth. If your personal records are not truthful or accurate, the defense will jump on this to make you look like a liar. Remember, your journal probably will not be entered into evidence, but it should serve as a way to help you remember everything that happens to you.
If you feel especially traumatized by the accident, consider seeing a mental health professional. They might be able to attest to how you have mentally, emotionally, and psychologically suffered.
Documenting the Costs of a Pennsylvania Construction Accident
Construction accidents and injuries are not just painful and traumatic. They are also extremely expensive. These costs will make up the bulk of your economic damages, which can be quite substantial if your injuries are serious. As such, it is crucial that you keep all receipts and bills related to any costs you incurred because of the construction accident. Common costs include medical bills, lost income, and the value of damaged personal property.
Medical bills are famously expensive. Even people who have health insurance find themselves hit with expensive deductibles. If your injuries are severe, your medical costs might be astronomical. It is not unusual for people to spend tens of thousands of dollars or more on medical bills.
You might have also lost certain personal items. If you were using your own tools when the construction accident happened, your tools might have been damaged. Professional construction equipment and gear can be expensive, and these costs should be documented.
On top of everything else, you should keep records of your pay stubs and income. If you cannot work because of your injuries, these records may be the basis for a claim for lost income. The longer you cannot work, the greater these damages may be, and the more important your documentation becomes.
Speak to Our Pennsylvania Construction Accident Lawyers for Legal Help Today
Get a free, confidential review of your case from our Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers by calling (215) 709-6940 and speaking to our team at The Reiff Law Firm.
