Were you injured on a construction site in New Orleans, Louisiana? You could be entitled to workers’ compensation, but you could also be eligible for damages in a third-party claim. Our New Orleans construction accident lawyers at the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. can help you pursue compensation. Call (504) 500-5000 for a free consultation.
Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces, and accidents can lead to serious injuries, costly medical treatment, and time away from work. Whether you were hurt in a fall, struck by equipment, injured by defective machinery, or involved in another type of construction accident, understanding your legal options can help you determine the best path forward.
Why Choose the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. for Your Construction Accident Case in New Orleans, LA?
Construction is a booming industry in New Orleans, Louisiana. But these job sites contain many dangerous conditions that can injure workers. Moreover, construction accidents involve complex layers of various contractors. Pinpointing exactly which party is liable for your damages requires attorneys who have done it time and time again.
Injured workers trust our New Orleans construction accident attorney because:
- Attorney John W. Redmann has more than 30 years of experience representing injured clients across Louisiana
- Our firm has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for thousands of clients
- John Redmann holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo
- Our team has earned the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award and recognition from the National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- We serve English-, Spanish-, and French-speaking clients and handle every case on a contingency fee basis
- John Redmann is a hands-on attorney personally involved in every case from investigation through resolution
Call today to schedule a free case review with a New Orleans personal injury attorney. We’re standing by to stand up for you after your injury.
Workers’ Compensation in Construction Accident Cases
Injured construction workers aren’t limited strictly to workers’ compensation after a workplace incident. However, when multiple subcontractors, equipment providers, and property owners share a site, another party’s negligence may have caused your harm. In these instances, you may pursue a third-party personal injury claim in addition to standard benefits.
Workers’ comp covers specific medical costs and partial wages; it does not address pain and suffering or the total impact on your quality of life. A third-party claim can seek accountability for the full scope of your losses.
What Parties May Be Liable Beyond Your Employer?
Construction projects have so many moving parts and parties. Accordingly, identifying every potentially responsible party is essential.
Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend to:
- General contractors overseeing the entire project
- Subcontractors working in the immediate vicinity
- Property owners or project developers
- Architects/engineers responsible for site safety
- Manufacturers of defective tools or heavy machinery
- Trucking companies operating on-site
You likely have grounds for a claim against one or more of these parties after a construction injury. Our experienced attorneys can help you learn more about your legal options.
What Is My New Orleans Construction Accident Case Worth?
There is no fixed settlement for construction accident cases. The ultimate value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and the available avenues for recovery.
Several factors typically influence the compensation you may receive, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- Total past and future medical expenditures
- Your lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress after the incident
- Shared fault allegations
- The insurance policies involved
An experienced attorney can evaluate your financial losses and determine what compensation may be available based on the circumstances of your case.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Construction Accident?
Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system generally covers medical expenses related to treating your work injury, along with a portion of your lost wages calculated as a percentage of your average weekly earnings.
Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, you may also be entitled to:
- Temporary total disability benefits while you’re completely unable to work,
- Temporary partial disability benefits if you can return in a limited capacity at reduced pay,
- Permanent partial or permanent total disability benefits for lasting impairments, and
- Supplemental earnings benefits if your injury permanently limits the type of work you’re able to perform going forward.
Vocational rehabilitation services and death benefits for surviving family members may also be available depending on the circumstances.
If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, Louisiana law allows you to pursue compensation for your full range of losses, including:
- Hospitalization, surgery, and emergency care
- Physical therapy and future medical needs
- Full lost income and benefits
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages for family members if a loved one was killed
A third-party claim is often the only way to recover compensation that truly reflects the total financial and personal toll of a serious worksite injury.
Common Injuries Seen After New Orleans Construction Accidents
The heights and heavy equipment involved in construction often produce severe injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Herniated discs
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord trauma
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Severe burns
- Electrical injuries
- Toxic exposure
These accidents can cost a small fortune in medical bills and lost income, especially if you can no longer return to physically demanding work. A construction accident claim provides the best path to recovering compensation for such harm.
Common Causes of Construction Site Accidents in New Orleans
Workplace incidents typically occur when a responsible party neglects site safety or ignores established protocols. Whether it involves renovating historic structures or developing riverfront high-rises, New Orleans projects present unique hazards.
Safety failures often involve:
- Slips and falls from scaffolding or ladders due to missing guardrails or improper harness usage
- Struck-by incidents involving falling materials or tools in unsecured work zones
- Heavy equipment accidents and unsafe trenching without proper shoring
- Electrical hazards and malfunctioning machinery resulting from poor maintenance
- Lack of adequate training or supervisors rushing crews to meet aggressive deadlines
- Toxic exposure to lead paint or asbestos in older building renovations
- Fires and explosions caused by improperly stored flammable substances
Identifying the exact contributing factors is essential to determining liability and uncovering all available insurance coverage for your claim.
How Shared Fault Affects Your Construction Accident Claim
Louisiana follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323, you can recover compensation if you are less than 51% at fault, but your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages.
For example, if you have $500,000 in damages but are found 30% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $350,000.
Fault matters less in workers’ compensation cases, which provide no-fault benefits regardless of fault. In construction accident cases, an attorney can challenge unsupported fault allegations and present evidence concerning how the accident occurred.
What Should You Do After a Construction Accident?
The steps you take immediately following an incident are critical to protecting your health and filing rights.
You should:
- Seek immediate medical evaluation and follow all doctor instructions
- Report the incident to your supervisor and request a copy of the report
- Photograph the scene, your injuries, and any faulty equipment
- Preserve evidence and document witness contact information
- Avoid providing recorded statements until you have spoken with an attorney
An experienced attorney can walk through these factors with you and help protect important evidence before the jobsite changes.
How Long Do You Have to File a Construction Accident Claim in Louisiana?
After a construction site accident, you will usually have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Failing to meet this deadline typically means losing your right to pursue compensation through the court or before a judge.
Certain circumstances can affect how this deadline applies, particularly in claims against a government entity. That’s why it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and ensure your claim is filed on time.
What Does It Cost to Hire a New Orleans Construction Accident Lawyer?
Our firm handles construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront expenses or hourly rates to begin your claim. Instead, our legal fee is simply a percentage of the final settlement or jury award we recover for you. If we do not successfully secure compensation on your behalf, you will owe us nothing for our services or time.
Contingency fee representation ensures our interests are perfectly aligned with yours, as our compensation is entirely dependent on achieving a successful result. For families already dealing with the emotional and physical impact of a worksite injury, this arrangement eliminates the concern over mounting legal bills while you are trying to recover.
Contact Our New Orleans Construction Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
A serious accident shouldn’t be considered part of the job. You may have multiple paths to seeking justice, and an experienced attorney can help you navigate them.
The Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. has spent more than three decades advocating for injured clients throughout Louisiana. Contact our New Orleans construction accident attorneys today for a free consultation to learn more about your case. We are here to stand up for you.