Were you injured while working on a construction site in Tacoma, Washington? The legal system can be incredibly challenging to navigate, especially when you’re dealing with injuries. An experienced Tacoma construction accident lawyer at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer can ensure you’re getting the full compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience fighting for injury victims like you. Our dedicated approach has helped us recover tens of millions of dollars to help clients recover.
Call our law offices today at (253) 264-0225 to schedule a free consultation.
How Can Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer Help With a Construction Accident Claim in Tacoma, WA?
Workers’ comp can be a critical safety net after a construction injury. That said, there’s no guarantee that you’ll automatically get the full amount you deserve. You may have rights under personal injury laws, and you shouldn’t expect the other side to step up and tell you that you might deserve more money.
An experienced Tacoma personal injury lawyer can stand by your side and protect your interests at every phase of the legal process.
When you hire the team at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer, you can count on us to:
- Determine how much compensation you deserve
- Identify all parties who share fault for your injuries
- Handle the paperwork and file your claim for workers’ comp benefits
- Bring in experts who can strengthen your case
- Negotiate for every dollar you deserve
- Defend you if your claim is denied
Our Tacoma personal injury attorneys have earned the top AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s trusted lawyer rating service. To learn more about how our skilled team can help, call for a free case review today.
How Common Are Construction Accidents in Washington?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry employers in Washington state reported about 81,600 non-fatal workplace injuries in 2023. In 2019, the construction industry accounted for 1,102 fatal work injuries, which represented 20.7% of the total 5,333 workplace fatalities in the United States that year.
We Handle All Kinds of Construction Accident Cases
Our lawyers in Tacoma handle all types of construction injury claims, including those involving:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Car and truck accidents
- Falls from roofs and ladders
- Accidents involving heavy machinery, including cranes and forklifts
- Welding accidents
- Nail gun accidents
- Accidents where workers are caught between two objects
- Electrocution and electric shock
- Head injuries and concussions
- Building collapse
- Excavation accidents
If you were injured on the job, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Tacoma construction accident attorneys for legal advice today.
What Are My Options for Recovering Compensation After a Construction Accident in Tacoma?
Nearly every employer in Washington state is required to carry some type of workers’ compensation insurance.
Your employer may have:
- Purchased traditional workers’ compensation through the Washington State Fund
- Large employers with substantial financial resources may apply to become self-insured
For most injured workers, filing a claim with workers’ compensation will be the first step toward recovering compensation.
In select cases, you may also have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, that’s only true if a third party caused your injuries. A third party is someone other than your co-worker or your employer. Your employer is protected against lawsuits under Washington workers’ compensation laws.
How Much Money Is My Tacoma Construction Accident Case Worth?
The value of your workers’ compensation check depends on several specific factors, including:
- Your average weekly wages prior to the disability
- Your level of impairment and whether you can earn partial income during recovery
- The length of your recovery
- Whether your injuries are temporary or permanent
- Whether your earnings remain impaired after reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI)
- The number of dependants you have
Workers’ compensation benefits are always limited. Generally, your weekly check will cover somewhere between 60% and 75% of your average wages prior to the disability. Workers’ compensation benefits are also capped by state law, regardless of your prior earnings.
The identity of the responsible party is also an important factor in assessing the overall value of your case. Injured employees who can file a lawsuit against a negligent third party tend to receive more compensation, assuming the case is successful. That’s primarily because damages in a personal injury case can cover any loss you have suffered.
What Types of Damages Are Available for Construction Accident Victims in Tacoma?
The types of damages you can receive depend on the laws that apply in your case. Workers’ compensation benefits are limited to compensation for economic losses. Your benefits will include reimbursement for all reasonable medical expenses related to the injury. However, you’ll have to see a doctor that was approved by the insurance carrier.
Disability Benefits
You can receive disability benefits that are directly tied to how the injury impacts your earnings.
- Time-loss benefits if you’ve suffered a temporary injury that prevents you from working for at least three days after the construction accident
- Permanent partial disability benefits if your earning capacity remains impaired after reaching MMI, but you can return to work in some limited capacity
- Permanent total disability benefits if you can never perform any type of work again, or if you lose the use of both legs, both arms, an arm and a leg, or your vision
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits if you require training to perform a new type of work
- Pre-approved travel expenses for medical appointments, including some parking and toll costs
- Property damage to eyeglasses, clothing, personal protective equipment, shoes or boots
In personal injury cases, you can seek compensation for both economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic and Non-Economic Damages
Economic damages are meant to compensate for measurable financial losses, while non-economic damages are meant to compensate for intangible losses or suffering.
- Past and future medical expenses
- 100% of your lost wages
- Your lost future earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Any property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium and other damages for wrongful death
If you’re considering legal action, it’s important to consult an attorney. Even if you’re currently receiving workers’ compensation benefits, a lawyer can help you resolve any challenges you face.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Washington?
Our legal team works entirely on a contingency fee basis. You can retain our legal services without any initial costs. Instead, you pay a pre-agreed-upon percentage of the compensation we recover in your case.
Can Washington’s Shared Fault Laws Impact My Right to Recover Compensation After a Construction Accident?
Your workers’ compensation benefits won’t be impacted by shared fault. If you have the right to file a personal injury claim against a negligent third party, Washington’s pure comparative negligence law could limit your recovery. Any compensation awarded to you will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What Are the Leading Causes of Construction Accidents in Tacoma?
Construction accidents happen for different reasons, including:
- Violation of Washington state and OSHA safety regulations
- Failure to provide proper fall protection equipment
- Damaged or missing safety equipment
- Missing or damaged safety guards
- Improperly installed scaffolding
- Defective scaffolding, work equipment, or tools
- Dangerous property conditions
- Exposure to toxic chemicals and materials
- Exposure to live electricity
- Falling objects
- Communication failures
- Failure to properly train and supervise employees
Construction is heavily regulated for a reason. When accidents occur, they tend to be serious. If you were a victim, our lawyers can help you identify the cause and explain your options for recovering compensation.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation After a Construction Accident in Washington?
To recover compensation after a construction accident in Washington, the type of claim you pursue determines what you must prove.
Workers’ Compensation
To receive workers’ compensation benefits, the following must be true:
- You were employed by an employer in the state of Washington
- You were injured in the course of employment or because of something work-related
Proof of fault, or negligence, is not required in workers’ compensation cases.
Personal Injury Case
You will have to prove fault to win a personal injury case. Negligence means that the defendant failed to exercise a reasonable amount of caution to prevent an accident.
In legal terms, you must establish four elements:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care
- A breach of duty occurred
- That breach caused the accident
- You sustained damages
Proving negligence isn’t always easy. You can call upon our lawyers to compile the evidence you need to build your case.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Claim for Compensation After a Construction Accident in Washington?
To protect your right to workers’ comp, you should notify your employer as quickly as possible after the accident. You have one year to file a claim with the L&I Insurance Board in Washington.
In personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
Contact an Experienced Tacoma Construction Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you were hurt working in construction, our team at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer has the skills to maximize your financial recovery. Contact us today to learn how an experienced Tacoma construction accident attorney can help with your case. There’s never any cost for your initial consultation.