The combination of combustible materials and activities that can spark a flame or an explosion put construction sites at high risk of fires. Responsible developers and contractors have a duty to reduce the risks of fire by properly storing flammable materials, regularly cleaning construction debris and supervising activities that can trigger explosion or fire. Yet, they don’t always do so, and their negligence can lead to dangerous construction site fires – and subsequent injuries.
If you were injured in a construction fire, The Gumprecht Law Firm can help you recover your rightful damages. Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury claims and we devote our entire attention, extensive resources and substantial experience to helping injury victims. Our dedication to helping people through this tough period in their lives and our effectiveness in pursuing damages for victims have earned us several accolades. Founding Attorney Michael Gumprecht received the honor of being named a National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys Top 10 Under 40 and earned membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
We urge you to seek legal counsel if you were injured on the job. Time is of the essence to investigate a construction site fire before law enforcement has cleaned up the debris and construction has resumed. Contact a Georgia construction accident attorney today to learn more about your rights and legal options.
Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Your Right to Sue
Georgia workers’ compensation insurance provides important benefits to employees who are injured on the job. Under the system, workers are entitled to immediate medical treatment and payment of lost wages and medical coverage without having to prove their employer was at fault. In return for workers’ compensation coverage, however, employees cannot sue their employers in most circumstances.
However, this does not mean you cannot sue another company that does not have an employment relationship with you. Multiple contractors, subcontractors, vendors and building professionals perform work on a typical construction site, giving rise to a strong possibility that you have a valid cause of action against another negligent corporation.
In all likelihood, the fire that injured you was caused by the negligent actions of multiple parties. For example, a lumbar supplier may be liable for delivering inferior wood that has not been properly fireproofed or a welder may be responsible for igniting nearby flammable materials that he should have had moved before beginning work. Similarly, a developer may have failed to provide appropriate ventilation and clearance of dust particles that can accumulate into an explosion hazard. In all these cases, you may have a viable, separate claim.
Why is a Civil Claim Important?
Georgia Workers’ Compensation laws provide workers with a crucial layer of protection that is especially important in high-risk construction jobs. You generally begin receiving workers’ compensation benefits soon after your accident, which can be a life support if you were seriously injured and unable to work. However, you may have sustained a severe permanent disability and other damages for which workers’ compensation does not pay.
Through a civil lawsuit, you can pursue damages related to third degree burns and organ damage caused by smoke inhalation. Depending upon your injuries, you may be entitled to damages for scarring, disfigurement, future lost earnings, permanent disabilities, pain and suffering that are not available through workers’ compensation insurance.
Call a Georgia Construction Accident Attorney to Discuss Workers’ Rights to Recovery
To learn whether you have a civil cause of action for your construction fire injuries, call 678-800-1050. Your initial consultation with a Georgia construction accident attorney at The Gumprecht Law Firm is free. We are available 24/7 and, under our contingency fee policy, you do not pay lawyers’ fees unless you recover damages.