Were you hurt on a construction site in Provo, Utah? You may have multiple legal options, such as filing a workers’ compensation claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers can help you figure out your best path forward and guide you each step of the way.
We’ve been standing up for the rights of construction accident victims in Utah for decades. We’re ready to work just as hard to get you the results you deserve.
Contact our law offices today at (801) 876-4107 for a free initial consultation. You can learn more about your legal rights at that time with no risks or obligations.
How Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Construction Accident Claim in Provo, UT
Construction accidents often involve a unique blend of legal complexities, from on-site safety regulations to potential third-party liability. Managing these issues can be daunting, especially if you’re also dealing with injuries.
Our Provo construction accident lawyers have 100 years of combined experience and have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients. That’s where Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers steps in.
Our award-winning Provo personal injury lawyers can help with your case by:
- Investigating your accident and injuries
- Determining your legal rights and options
- Identifying the liable parties
- Evaluating your claim’s worth
- Negotiating a settlement
- Filing a lawsuit if needed
By partnering with our construction accident attorneys in Provo, UT, you gain a dedicated team who will work hard to maximize the compensation you recover. Call us today for a free consultation with a Provo construction accident lawyer.
What Are My Legal Options Following a Construction Accident in Provo?
Almost all employers in Utah must provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. If you’re a construction worker hurt on the job, you typically have the right to file a workers’ comp claim, no matter who caused the accident. This system is “no-fault,” allowing you to collect benefits even if you share blame for your injury—provided it wasn’t caused by intentional misconduct or a violation like drug use at work.
Workers’ compensation benefits in Utah often include:
- Medical costs: Coverage for treatments, hospitalizations, and prescriptions
- Temporary partial disability: If you can return to work, but only in a limited capacity for a time
- Temporary total disability: Replaces a percentage of your wages if you can’t work at all during recovery
- Permanent partial disability: Applies if you can return to work in a limited role but remain partially impaired
- Permanent total disability: If your injuries prevent you from working indefinitely, this can apply
- Death benefits: If a construction accident is fatal, certain family members may receive financial support
However, workers’ comp can leave you with out-of-pocket costs or fail to compensate for intangible losses like pain and suffering. That’s why it’s worth looking into additional legal remedies.
Third-Party Personal Injury Claims
While workers’ compensation is your main route for benefits if you’re employed by a covered company, it may not fully address the total harm from a serious construction site accident. In some situations, you can file a third-party lawsuit for extra damages, particularly if someone besides your direct employer contributed to your injuries (you can only file a lawsuit against your employer in specific circumstances if they have workers’ comp insurance).
Examples include:
- Vehicle accidents: If you were struck by a passing driver while unloading materials, you could sue that negligent driver in addition to seeking workers’ comp.
- Defective equipment: If a piece of construction machinery malfunctioned due to a design flaw or manufacturing defect, the equipment’s manufacturer might be liable.
- Property owner negligence: If the landowner or general contractor ignored safety hazards, leading to your injury, they may face liability beyond what your employer covers.
Suing a third party can open the door to damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or even punitive damages in extreme cases. You can’t typically sue your employer if they have valid workers’ comp insurance unless there’s an exception like an intentional act. But third parties remain fair game if they caused or worsened your injuries.
How Much Is My Provo Construction Accident Claim Worth?
Determining how much money you can receive in a construction accident claim depends on many factors. Each case is unique, but we typically look at:
- Severity of your injuries: Catastrophic harm—like traumatic brain injuries or paralysis—can drive up medical bills and lost wages significantly.
- Available insurance coverage: Third-party liability policies might offer higher limits, while smaller companies may carry minimal coverage.
- Long-term impact: If you need ongoing rehabilitation or can’t return to the same job, you could claim future medical costs and diminished earning capacity.
- Non-economic losses: If a third-party lawsuit is possible, you can pursue compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of enjoyment of life.
- Shared fault: Utah follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule, where you can recover damages unless you’re 50% or more at fault. If you share some blame, your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
A skilled lawyer can piece together these details to demand a fair settlement from insurers or, if necessary, present a compelling case in court.
We’ll Fight for Compensation for All of Your Construction Accident Injuries
Construction work is inherently dangerous due to heavy machinery, heights, and complex tasks.
Some frequent injuries and hazards include:
- Falls from scaffolding or ladders, resulting in broken bones or spinal damage
- Crush injuries when caught between machinery or building materials
- Electrocution from exposed wiring or failing to follow lockout/tagout procedures
- Head injuries caused by falling tools or debris
- Repetitive stress injuries from constant lifting or vibration
- Chemical burns if hazardous substances aren’t stored or handled safely
Any of these can lead to substantial medical bills or an inability to work for an extended period.
What if I’m Blamed for My Construction Accident in Utah?
Utah’s “modified comparative negligence” law states that if you’re found to be 50% or more at fault for your accident, you can’t collect damages from another party. If your fault is under 50%, you can still recover, but your award is reduced by your share of blame.
This rule applies primarily to third-party injury lawsuits. It doesn’t affect your right to workers’ compensation benefits, because that system generally pays out regardless of fault (barring misconduct).
Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers might try to pin responsibility on you to reduce payouts. Having a lawyer who can investigate thoroughly and refute any unfair blame can protect your chances for compensation.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Provo Construction Accident Lawyer?
Many people worry about the cost of legal help, especially if they’re already dealing with medical bills and lost wages. At Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
That means you won’t pay any upfront fees or hourly rates. Instead, our payment depends on whether we successfully recover money for your claim—through either a settlement or a court judgment. If we win or settle your case, we’ll receive a percentage of the total compensation as our fee. This percentage is agreed upon at the start, so there are no surprises later.
Do you have questions about how these fees work or need help starting your claim? Don’t hesitate to contact our construction accident lawyers in Provo today.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Construction Accident Lawsuit in Utah?
For most personal injury claims in Utah, you have four years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. For workers’ compensation, you must promptly notify your employer—typically within 180 days–and you must file your claim within one year. Failing to meet these deadlines might mean losing your right to seek damages.
Complex construction accident cases can require lengthy investigations, negotiations, and evaluations. There are also exceptions to these time limits for some circumstances. Contact an attorney straight away so that you can file your claim on time and protect your rights.
Contact Our Provo Construction Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation Today
If a construction accident in Provo, Utah, left you with painful injuries and mounting bills, you don’t have to handle the legal details alone. Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers has 100 years of combined experience and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients just like you. We know how to deal with workers’ compensation claims, third-party lawsuits, and the intricacies of Utah’s negligence laws.
Don’t let an employer, contractor, or insurance company minimize your losses or deny rightful benefits. Contact our Provo construction accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
