NOTE: Our law firm does not handle Construction Accidents cases. This article is for informational purposes only. Information found in the article does not constitute as formal legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship.
Do you have questions about your legal options after a construction accident in Burlington, ON? If you were injured on the job, you may have rights under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and personal injury laws in Burlington, Ontario. An experienced Burlington construction accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Injured workers in Burlington, ON have trusted Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers to protect their legal rights since we opened our doors in 1981. With over 92 years of experience between us, we’re well-prepared to handle even the most complicated cases.
Our lawyers have helped accident victims recover over $100 million in compensation. Contact our law offices at (289)512-0829 to schedule a free consultation with our Burlington construction accident lawyer and learn how we can put our skills to work for you.
How Can Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a Construction Accident in Burlington, ON?
Construction workers risk their health and safety every day. Even when you’re cautious, you risk injury. That’s why laws exist to protect injured construction workers in Burlington, ON.
Even with these protections, recovering compensation isn’t always easy. Insurance companies might challenge your claim. Your employer could claim your injuries weren’t work-related. You may not know whether you can sue for additional damages.
An experienced Burlington personal injury lawyer can help with these and other challenges. At Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve been recognized for our excellent legal services by the Hamilton Spectator.
We’ll use our skills to your benefit by:
- Investigating to determine the cause of your accident
- Helping you apply for workplace insurance benefits
- Defending you if your initial claim is denied
- Making sure your benefits check is accurate
- Evaluating your rights under personal injury laws
- Negotiating with the insurance companies for a full compensation award
To learn more about this area of law, contact our legal team for a free consultation with an experienced Burlington construction accident lawyer. We’ll do everything we can to get the money you need and deserve.
How Common Are Construction Accidents in Burlington, Ontario?
If you’ve ever worked in construction, you know it’s a dangerous industry. In 2021, 22 construction employees in Ontario were killed on the job.
Unfortunately, fatalities in the construction industry are all too common. 31% of all work-related deaths in Ontario occur in the construction industry.
Although Ontario has seen a steady increase in construction deaths in recent years, not all construction accidents are fatal. In a single year, 357 construction workers were seriously injured on the job in Ontario.
At Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of construction injury claims, including those involving:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Electric shock
- Electrocution
- Building collapse
- Roof and ladder falls
- Car accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Nail gun accidents
- Welding accidents
- Defective work tools or equipment
- Trenching or excavation accidents
- Accidents involving cranes, forklifts, and heavy equipment
- Exposure to toxic substances
If you were hurt on the work site, don’t hesitate to reach out to our law firm for a free initial consultation today.
How Do I Recover Compensation for My Losses After a Construction Accident in Ontario?
You may have two options for recovering compensation: personal injury lawsuits and workers’ compensation.
In Canada, most construction industry employers are required to purchase insurance through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). As a result, nearly all injured construction workers in Canada can receive workers’ comp benefits. These benefits are available regardless of whether your employer was responsible for your injuries.
In exchange for accepting workers’ compensation benefits, you lose your right to sue your employer for damages. Negligent third parties don’t receive similar protections. If someone other than your employer caused your injuries, you can still sue the third party for damages.
You may have a valid third-party lawsuit against:
- The manufacturer of a defective work tool
- A negligent driver who caused a car accident
- Property owners who don’t fix dangerous property conditions
- General contractors
- Third-party suppliers
A personal injury lawsuit will likely be worth more than workers’ compensation benefits. A lawsuit allows you to pursue damages for your economic and non-economic losses.
How Much Is My Burlington Construction Accident Case Worth?
Your case value depends on several different factors.
If you’re limited to workers’ compensation, the value of your benefits will depend on:
- Your average wages prior to the disability
- The nature of your injuries
- Whether you can perform any “light duty” work to earn some income during recovery
- The duration of your recovery
- Whether your injuries are temporary or permanent
- The cost of your medical treatment
During recovery, you may receive up to 85% of your wages prior to the injury. However, your income replacement benefits are also subject to an annual cap in Ontario. Even if your earnings prior to the disability would result in a higher check, you cannot receive more than the maximum amount.
At Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers, we know the stakes are high. You can count on us to do everything possible to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
What Types of Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Provide in Ontario?
If your workers’ compensation claim is approved, you may be entitled to several types of benefits, including:
- All reasonable and necessary medical expenses
- Income replacement benefits during your recovery
- Benefits for permanent impairment, including benefits for physical, functional and psychological losses
- Lost retirement benefits (once you reach age 65)
- Return-to-work benefits
- Survivor benefits for spouses or dependents of fatal injury victims
The exact nature of your benefits will depend on the type and severity of your injuries.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Personal Injury Victims?
If you have a valid claim against a negligent third party, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills not covered by workers’ comp
- The full value of your lost wages
- Your lost future earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Chronic pain
- Mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, PTSD)
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
You’re entitled to seek compensation for the full losses you’ve suffered due to the accident and injury.
Construction Accidents Often Leave Victims Struggling With Painful Injuries
Accidents on construction sites can result in catastrophic injuries. Victims are often forced to miss work for weeks and even months. In extreme cases, the pain can last a lifetime.
At Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of injury claims.
Some common construction site injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Lung damage
- Hearing loss
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Eye injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Once you’ve received proper medical attention, contact a lawyer for assistance. Your lawyer can start the paperwork and evaluate your legal options while you rest and recover.
What Are the Leading Causes of Construction Accidents in Burlington, Ontario?
Construction accidents are much more likely to happen when people cut corners and ignore safety procedures. However, these accidents can happen for many different reasons.
Some of the most common causes of construction accidents include:
- Missing fall protection
- Missing or ineffective safety equipment
- Improperly installed scaffolding
- Communication failures
- Failure to properly train and supervise employees
- Dangerous property conditions and negligent property maintenance
- Negligent hiring practices
- Ignoring safety regulations
- Defective work equipment
- Failure to maintain work equipment in safe condition
- Workplace violence and negligent security
If you were hurt on the job, it’s important to understand why. Determining the cause of your accident will directly impact your right to compensation under Ontario personal injury laws.
Do I Have to Prove Negligence to Recover Compensation After a Construction Accident in Ontario?
You often must prove that the negligence of another caused your injuries to recover compensation in a personal injury case.
The following are the elements you must establish to show negligence:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They breached the duty by failing to act as a reasonable person would have
- You suffered damages
- The defendant’s acts directly caused your damages
On the other hand, workers’ comp is a no-fault system. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits anytime your injuries occur within the course of employment.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for Compensation After a Construction Accident in Ontario?
You must report the accident and injury to your employer as soon as possible. To formally protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits, you must report your injury to the WSIB within six months of the accident.
The statute of limitations in personal injury cases gives you two years to file a lawsuit. The two-year clock starts running on the date of your accident.
Call an Experienced Burlington Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Are you wondering where to turn for help after a construction accident in Burlington, ON? A Burlington construction accident lawyer can help. At Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers, your initial consultation is always free. Don’t hesitate to reach out to learn today.