Indiana Construction Worker Injuries Attorney

Construction work is one of the most dangerous and accident-prone occupations in the United States. Construction workers often work long hours in difficult environments and face many risks on the job that can cause serious injuries that may be permanent or even lead to death. Injured workers may be left unable to earn a living as medical and household bills pile up and income dwindles.

If you or loved one has been injured or someone has died in a construction accident in Indiana, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation for your losses and injuries through insurance or a personal injury lawsuit. However, Indiana laws are complicated. And because workers’ compensation is insurance, employers and insurance companies who are out for profit often try to deny claims or get you to settle for less than your case is worth. They have high-powered lawyers on their side, and even making a small mistake can cause your claim to be denied, so it is difficult to fight them on your own.

At this critical time, when you are dealing with the consequences of your accident, it can help to get legal assistance from an Indiana workplace injury attorney. At Coriden & Coriden, LLC, we have years of experience in handling cases involving occupational injuries and illnesses and all levels of workplace injury disputes. We will do everything possible to represent your best interests and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Our Construction Accident Lawyer?

There are many attorneys in Indiana, and it is important to find one you trust with your claim, who you feel comfortable working with, and who has the experience and resources needed to handle your claim. Here are some reasons why we believe Coriden & Coriden is your best choice:

We are experienced. Our workplace injury and worker’s compensation attorneys at Coriden & Coriden, LLC have represented thousands of clients with matters ranging from initial filings to appeals at the Supreme Court of Indiana. We understand the detailed information and documentation that must be included in claims to have the best chance of approval, and we have the skill and experience necessary to assertively represent your interests if disputes arise.

We know Indiana’s workers’ compensation laws inside and out. Our dedication and work ethic mean we . . .

Will fiercely advocate for you
Will provide aggressive legal representation
Have a track record of success, and you can read our testimonials to prove it
Have encountered many different types of cases, so there is little chance of being surprised if something unusual comes up
Will answer your questions and provide you with guidance
Will provide excellent, timely, personal service
Will treat you with honesty and respect
Will act professionally at all times.

The construction accident attorneys at Coriden & Coriden, LLC have represented thousands of clients in worker’s compensation claims, and we are ready to help you, too.

How Our Construction Work Injury Attorney Helps

Depending on your situation, our construction work injury attorneys will determine whether you are entitled to get benefits through workers’ compensation or you are in a situation where you can go beyond workers’ comp and file a personal injury, premises liability, or wrongful death lawsuit.

When you retain our firm, we will get to work to investigate and build your case immediately. We will:

Meet with you to hear how your injury happened and determine what benefits you should receive and the best way to handle your case
Handle all paperwork and court appearances required by Indiana law and make sure all forms are filed correctly and in a timely manner and that you know what to say and do to prevent hurting your case
Investigate your case and gather evidence to prove how the injury occurred and who might have been at fault, such as by interviewing witnesses and co-workers; examining photographs and videos; and obtaining police, ambulance, and medical records and reports
Get testimony from accident reconstruction professionals and life-care specialists as to how injuries will affect your life, family, and ability to work now and into the future
Negotiate with insurance companies and their lawyers for a fair settlement
Represent you at any hearings and in court
Handle any appeals if necessary.

How Workers’ Compensation Works for Construction Accidents

In Indiana, the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Board regulates workers’ comp, and most Indiana workers are eligible for this insurance coverage from the first day of employment. Workers’ compensation is an accident insurance plan designed to cover your medical bills, lost wages and other costs if injured on the job.

Workers’ compensation typically will cover two-thirds of a worker’s wages if they are unable to work, in addition to all medical expenses related to the injury, including hospital bills, prescription drug costs, rehabilitation and repayment for costs of travel to and from medical facilities. Depending on the circumstances, some workers may be able to handle a reduced amount of work and be paid partial benefits or receive payment for permanent partial impairment or a partial disability. Generally, injured workers can collect workers compensation benefits until they are able to go back to work or reach age 65 if permanently disabled.

Workers’ compensation is intended to benefit both the employer and the worker. This is because employers, even when negligent, are protected from being sued for worker injuries, while workers do not have to prove employer’s negligence to get benefits.

When a Construction Accident Lawyer Can Bring a Lawsuit

Workers’ comp provides helpful benefits, but they do not include full compensation for lost wages or non-monetary damages such as pain and suffering. However, it may be possible to get full compensation and have all your losses covered for a construction accident injury. In some situations, your attorney may be able to bring a lawsuit against a third party who was not your employer and whose negligence caused or contributed to your injury, even if you are receiving workers’ comp.

Examples of such third parties include:

Manufacturers of equipment that had defects in design, construction or labeling that caused your accident

Outside contractors or vendors who were negligent and caused your injuries, such as by running you over with a vehicle.

In a successful third-party lawsuit, you may recover a compensation award, called damages. In Indiana you may receive a damage award to cover your:

Economic damages, monetary costs, such as medical and rehabilitation expenses and costs of continuing care, all lost wages, property damage and costs to modify a home or vehicle, and
Non-economic damages, compensation for non-monetary damages that negatively impact your life, such as physical and mental pain and suffering, loss of quality of life and consortium, and disability and disfigurement.

How Construction Worker Injuries Happen

Construction workers can be injured in many ways, though a few types of events are notorious for causing serious worker injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) refers to the top four causes of construction worker fatalities as the Fatal Four. They are:

Falls
Electrocutions
Being Struck by or Against an Object
Being Caught in or Between Two Objects, Pieces of Equipment or Structures.

The Fatal Four represent some of the most serious injuries workers suffer on a construction site, but they by no means include all the ways in which construction workers suffer injuries. Other common construction worker injuries include:

Repetitive Stress Injuries
Burns
Injuries from Lifting Heavy Objects
Contact with Poisonous Plants (either through contact or inhalation)
Exposure to Dangerous Toxins or Chemicals (such as asbestos or dangerous pesticides)
Eye Injuries
Hearing Loss
Heat Stroke
Frostbite.

Falls in Construction

Falls deserve a special mention in any discussion about workplace injuries. They are one of the most common adverse events in construction. They occur due to scaffolding collapses, slips, falls and unsecured harnessing, to name just a few causes. When a construction worker falls, they often fall from a great height, either from a roof or from several stories high. Falls can cause serious, debilitating injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken hips or death.

These Injuries are Usually Preventable

Most workplace injuries are preventable. OSHA offers employers many tools and programs that can help reduce the number of construction worker injuries and illnesses. These programs enable employers to identify and control on-the-job hazards, while also aiding compliance with existing regulations. Unfortunately, workers who have already suffered a workplace injury must deal with the fallout of an injury or illness.

Consequences of a Workplace Injury

Workplace Injuries and Illnesses are painful and cause a great deal of physical suffering, but the consequences can go well beyond physical harm. Injured workers also face large medical bills, missed time at work and, in some cases, loss of work capacity that could plague them for the rest of their lives. Families of a fatally injured worker encounter many of the same challenges, in addition to end-of-life costs, such as funeral and burial costs.

Call Our Construction Accident Attorneys for Help

Every day, approximately 12 construction workers in the United States are killed on the job. At Coriden & Coriden, LLC, we have years of experience in handling cases involving occupational injuries and illnesses, and we make sure our clients’ best interests are represented.

The attorneys at Coriden & Coriden, LLC have years of experience and bring that wealth of experience to the work we do for our clients. Our firm understands how important these cases are to our clients, and we are happy to assist them in all matters related to workers’ compensation or occupational injuries and illnesses.

If you have questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, contact Coriden & Coriden, LLC today at 812-375-9800.

Attorney Terry Coriden

Terry Coriden practices worker’s compensation law as a Partner at Coriden & Coriden, LLC. His entire professional career as an attorney has been committed to worker’s compensation law and making a difference in his community. He is also highly experienced in mediation. Terry is a member and past president of the Bartholomew County Bar Association, a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, and a former board member of the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF). [ Attorney Bio ]