Reno, NV Construction Accident Lawyer

From the mining rush in the 1850s to the modern-day technological boom, Reno has developed into the largest city in Northern Nevada. One glance at the Reno skyline reveals the skill and dedication of the state’s 80,470 construction workers. Yet, each day these men and women go to work, they risk having a serious construction accident.

The risk is all too real. In 2020, 163,560 people working in natural resources, construction, and maintenance were injured on the job in Nevada.

The team at Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm wants safe working conditions for Reno employees in all industries. For more than 40 years, our compassionate lawyers have served the legal needs of injured Washoe County workers. We can help you too. To learn more, call or text (702) 213-9779 at any time, any day of the week.

Nevada Workers’ Compensation Insurance Supports Employees

In Nevada, all employers must purchase workers’ compensation insurance that benefits injured or sick employees. This is for your protection and financial stability.

When you get injured at a construction site, you should go to the nearest emergency room for urgent care or choose a physician from the list of authorized providers. You will also need to ask your supervisor to file a claim reporting your injury.

A workers’ comp claim can get you benefits including:

Medical treatment: Any healthcare cost related to your injury or occupational illness claim should be paid by your insurer.

Lost wages: You can receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits if you are unable to work for at least 5 eligible days or your employer does not accommodate the restrictions recommended by your doctor. You could qualify for temporary partial disability benefits if your salary is less than your TTD claim.

Permanent disability payments: If you become disabled, you could be entitled to claim payments equaling a large portion of your average monthly wage.

Vocational rehabilitation: Some permanent injuries could prevent you from completing the job tasks you did before the accident. A Nevada workers’ compensation claim pays the costs of vocational rehabilitation services for eligible construction workers.

Other claim- or injury-related expenses: You can file for approved travel expenses and per diem costs associated with medical treatment for your injuries.

Dependent payments: If you are the surviving spouse of someone who died because of a construction accident injury, you could receive a percentage of the deceased monthly wages. You can also file a claim for burial expense reimbursement.

Receiving your workers’ comp checks can bring needed relief after a construction site accident, but what if your claim is denied? Construction accident lawyers can step in to help when you disagree with the Workers’ Compensation Section’s (WCS) decision.

Time limits apply, so get in touch with a Richard Harris attorney as soon as possible to discuss your construction injury. Our experienced legal team can examine the issues behind your rejected claim and advise you on filing an appeal. Construction accident consultations are free for all Reno residents, so don’t hesitate to click the contact button at the top of your screen for prompt attention.

How Regulations Keep Reno Construction Workers Safe

The state insurance program described above is not based on fault. Reno employees are covered even if they caused their own accident injuries. Yet, you might be wondering whether lawyers can hold employers responsible for negligence.

To understand the answer, first consider the role of federal and state safety regulations for Reno construction sites. Conscientious construction site managers must meet these standards to minimize the risk of injury to those who visit the location. Some, though, may cut corners, contributing to preventable accidents, illnesses, and death.

According to OSHA, these frequently violated standards could lead to construction site accidents:

Fall protection: Falls are one of the most common causes of serious work-related injuries. To prevent an accident, employers should use railings, toe-boards, and other safety features around heights or equipment with the potential to cause injury. Maintenance and cleanliness are also crucial since trash and uneven flooring can cause a tripping accident.

Hazard communication: Workers must be made aware of the dangers of any hazardous chemicals used on site as they leave burn injuries and other problems. Training should also be provided about how to handle these substances safely.

Respiratory protection: When there are breathing hazards (e.g. low-oxygen levels, harmful dust, fog, smoke, gas, vapor, or spray), the construction company could be legally obligated to provide respirators, masks, or other protective gear. If you suspect air pollution contributed to your cancer, lung impairment, or another respiratory disease, contact our empathetic Reno construction accident attorneys.

Ladders and scaffolding: Since most construction professionals use ladders and scaffolds, making sure these structures are safe should be a priority for any employer. One recent study revealed that 72 percent of scaffolding incident victims linked the accident with faulty planking or support, slip hazards, or being struck by a falling object.

Energy control: Electricity can be dangerous if it is not controlled correctly. Workers should be trained how to service and maintain machinery and with diverse sources of energy (i.e. electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, and thermal). Report your accident to a lawyer immediately if you experienced electrocution, burns, amputations, or crushing injuries related to work.

Vehicles: Is operating a vehicle such as a truck or forklift a part of your job? You should have received instructions on how to drive, load, unload, and maintain pedestrian safety. If your employer failed to prepare you well or neglected to maintain your vehicle, lawyers could determine whether you are eligible for significant accident compensation.

Eye and Face Protection: Some work environments contain chemicals, radiation, or other environmental or mechanical irritants. Proper eye and face protection is essential to avoid eye injuries and blindness.

Machinery: Machines with moving parts carry a high risk of injury. To reduce the risk of an accident, safeguards should be put in place to prevent unintentional contact.

Placing warnings and training employees in a language they understand well are additional standards of a safe construction site. Yet, when a Reno employer’s negligence ends in an accident, it is often construction site employees like you who pay the price.

In other instances, poor products, machinery, or equipment contribute to Reno construction accidents. Construction injury lawyers can investigate to determine whether faulty designs or defective products played a role in your injury. If so, you could qualify to file a product liability claim for your accident.

Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm can clarify whether you are eligible to file for personal injury compensation. If someone else’s actions (or lack of action) led to your Reno construction accident, message us about your injury without delay.

How Nevada Negligence Accident Laws Protect You

When Reno accidents result from negligence, injured parties can collect financial compensation called damages. Most of the safety codes mentioned above are a part of Nevada laws governing construction sites and other work locations. Ignoring these rules could be considered negligence by a Reno court or judge.

The negligent party is liable (or accountable) for the harmful consequences of construction accidents they cause. Construction accident attorneys claim damages on behalf of their clients, which may include:

Medical expenses: For many Reno construction accidents, a work comp claim would cover your medical bills. Under certain circumstances, though, more may be needed. For one, construction accident lawyers can file a personal injury claim to ensure that your healthcare can be afforded. A Reno construction accident lawyer with Richard Harris’s team can advise you on your best course of action during a free consultation.

Lost earnings: Like medical bills, lost earnings are handled by WCS if you file a construction accident claim. A construction accident attorney can pursue economic damages for even non-employees hurt at construction sites. For instance, an injured construction site visitor could file for damages related to missed salary and lost earning potential.

Vehicle replacement or repair: If your vehicle was involved in a construction accident, Reno attorneys can file a claim for the reimbursement of repairs or the cost to replace totaled automobiles.

Pain and suffering: In a personal injury claim, the liable party is held responsible for physical pain, mental anguish, and other emotional injuries incurred after a construction accident. If you are suffering because of your injuries, contact one of our compassionate accident lawyers without delay.

Wrongful death damages: The spouse, heirs, and estate representative of a person who died due to a wrongful or negligent accident have the right to collect liability damages. If you lost a loved one in a Reno construction accident, our lawyers can help you get reimbursed for funeral and burial costs. Dependents can also sue for lost wages and the future financial support that the person could have provided had the preventable construction accident not occurred.

Loss of consortium: This special award applies only to the surviving spouse or domestic partner of a deceased accident victim. These damages may acknowledge the grief and hardship resulting from marital strains, loss of companionship, loss of or constraints on intimacy, and inability to bear children connected to the accident. The amount you can claim varies.

Household services: Besides economic support, your loved one likely contributed to the functioning of the household. After your loss, you might need to hire others to perform various roles. Child care, gardening, and home maintenance are some examples of household services that may qualify as damages.

Richard Harris’s team of construction accident attorneys have the knowledge and experience that you need to take the right steps. Why not contact us today for some free advice? Schedule your initial consultation with a Reno construction accident lawyer by calling or texting (702) 213-9779.

Seek Legal Representation From Talented Reno Lawyers Today

After a construction accident in Reno, NV, you can feel confused and lost. Waiting until you recover from your injury may seem like the best course of action. Unfortunately, Reno construction accidents are subject to deadlines that make hesitation risky for injured workers. You may not have time to wait.

Statute of limitations: Each state sets a time limit for how long you have to file a claim for an injury after a construction accident. If you take too long, you may be unable to get the compensation you need. Contact Richard Harris Law Firm immediately if you or a loved one has been hurt on a construction site in Reno.

WCS guidelines: To file your work injury claim, you will need to inform your construction supervisor and prepare your application soon after your construction accident. Once you have seen a Reno doctor, you will need to obtain a letter describing the extent of your injuries.

Negligence claim requirements: In most cases of negligence, compensation is paid by the liable party’s insurer. Each company is different, though, and you will need to find out how to file your claim and submit documentation on time. But when in doubt, it’s best to hire a lawyer. If you are late, your accident claim might be delayed or denied.

As you recover from your injuries, you may feel the pressure to make decisions fast. Yet, a hasty or ill-informed decision can destroy your chances of getting the accident compensation you deserve. Reaching out to our Reno construction accident lawyers is the right move if you want to benefit from our 40+ years of experience with complex personal injury cases.

Depend on Our Record of Successful Reno Injury Cases

Our Reno construction accident team is passionate about justice, which shows in our verdicts and settlements. Since 1980, our lawyers have won over $1 billion for our clients, resulting in a success rate of 98 percent across the board.

Why not spend a few moments watching our client testimonial videos about us? You will discover that our results across various practice areas are no accident. We don’t leave satisfactory settlements up to chance, but our lawyers strive to put our clients first.

We are ready to offer you the same level of quality service. Our Reno construction accident lawyers can help you recover your economic losses and secure your future.

Learn how to file a life-changing injury claim by calling us at (702) 213-9779. 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm has construction claim representatives standing by to hear your story.