Construction sites are inherently dangerous environments where heavy machinery, electrical hazards, and unstable structures pose serious risks to workers. When an accident occurs on a job site, the immediate actions taken in the following hours and days can impact both your physical recovery and your ability to secure benefits through a workers’ compensation claim.
If you were hurt on a Wisconsin construction site, take the following steps to protect your health and legal rights with the help of a Milwaukee construction injury lawyer.
Step #1: Seek Immediate Medical Attention for Your Injuries
After a construction accident, your very first step should be to seek medical care. Even if you feel fine or like your injuries aren’t serious, it is still important to get a professional evaluation. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away, but can become life-altering or even life-threatening without treatment.
Additionally, you need documentation of your injury for your workers’ comp claim. You have the right to see the doctor of your choice for your initial treatment.
Step #2: Report the Accident to Your Employer
Wisconsin law requires you to notify your employer about a workplace injury as soon as possible. While you technically have up to two years to report a construction accident, it’s much better to give notice within 30 days if you can. The sooner you report, the smoother the workers’ compensation process will likely be.
Your employer may ask you to complete an incident report. When completing this report, stick to the facts and avoid making assumptions about what happened. Include the following information:
- The time and date of the construction accident
- The type of injury you sustained
- Whether you required medical attention
- The circumstances that led to the accident
Step #3: File Your Workers’ Comp Claim and Consult with an Attorney
After learning about your construction accident, your employer has seven days to file a claim with their workers’ compensation insurance carrier. The insurance company will then begin investigating your claim and determining what benefits you’re eligible to receive. This process may seem straightforward, but complications often arise.
Construction accidents often result in serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and lengthy recovery periods. Insurance companies may dispute the severity of your injuries, question whether they are work-related, or try to minimize your benefits.
This is why it’s so important to consult with a Wisconsin construction accident attorney; they will protect your interests throughout the claims process, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for the full value of benefits you are entitled to under Wisconsin law.
Step #4: Continue to Document Your Injuries
As your claim progresses, save as much evidence as possible. Keep detailed records of all your medical appointments, treatments, and how your injuries affect your daily life. Take photographs of visible injuries and save all medical bills and reports.
This documentation strengthens your claim and helps your attorney build the strongest possible case. Stay in regular contact with your lawyer and follow their guidance throughout the process.
Discuss Your Construction Accident Claim with Cannon & Dunphy S.C.
Even when you follow every safety protocol and take all the right steps after a construction accident, the path to full recovery can be complicated. Cannon & Dunphy S.C. guides construction workers through these complex legal challenges with experience and determination.
Our attorneys examine every aspect of your accident to pursue compensation from all available sources. Contact us at (262) 239-4124 today for a free consultation and protect your rights with experienced legal representation.