Hartford, CT, is booming, with a spate of development and redevelopment projects moving forward in 2025. The XL Center’s $138 million renovation started in May, and the latest phase of the Farmington Avenue streetscape project is well underway. The problem is that wherever there are construction sites, there tend to be accidents.
Block after block of new construction, open excavation, and utility installation create more hazardous conditions on the roadway for motorists, increase traffic, and pose more risks for construction workers. Employers are obligated to follow strict safety standards, but negligence can lead to disastrous consequences and leave you in need of compensation as fast as possible.
If Hartford’s construction boom has left you with injuries, mounting medical bills, and a reduced income, you need to understand your rights fast. A Gould Injury Law construction accident lawyer can help you seek justice faster than going it alone and provide you with additional information about your rights – talk to us today.
Why Construction Sites Are So Dangerous
Year after year, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that construction is one of the most dangerous industries in Connecticut. In 2022, there were 9 fatalities in the private construction industry across the state. Falls, slips, and trips accounted for 5 of them, highlighting the dangers posed by construction sites.
Dangerous conditions
Working conditions in Hartford’s development zones can change rapidly. Loose gravel, muddy surfaces, incomplete pavement, and tools or trash left carelessly around the site are just a few of the many hazards workers face each day. Add in the risks associated with operating or working close to heavy machinery, and it is clear why accidents continue to occur.
Time pressure and lax safety
Crews are also under pressure to move fast. This can cause some workers to cut corners on safety. Employers may also fail in their duty to provide appropriate signage, barriers, or protective equipment, increasing the level of risk even further.
If you are a worker on one of these Hartford projects, your right to a safe working environment and protection from hazards cannot be overemphasized. If your rights have been violated, seek advice from a Gould Injury Law construction accident lawyer. At “The Fast Firm,” we are solely focused on pursuing the best possible outcome for you as fast as possible. You don’t wait – we don’t either.
Your Rights After a Hartford Construction Accident
Both federal and state labor laws provide legal protections for workers who are injured at a construction work site.
Connecticut workers’ compensation benefits are there to provide a safety net to Hartford construction workers if they get injured or sick because of an accident or hazardous conditions at work. The goal of workers’ compensation is to help you recover as much as possible and return to normal work and family life.
Understanding Connecticut workers’ compensation
Here are a few key insights into how the workers’ compensation system functions in Connecticut:
- Almost all employees are covered: If you are an employee, you will almost certainly be covered by workers’ compensation. The type of work you do and the business you work for do not matter. Even the majority of part-time workers are covered.
- No-fault system: No matter who was at fault – even if you were the one responsible for your own injuries – workers’ compensation will cover you. This is true even if you have a medical condition that made your injury more likely to happen or else contributed to its severity.
- Medical expenses are covered: These may include medical treatment after a work-related illness or injury, rehabilitation, and weekly benefits while you are unable to work. If you were scarred, disfigured, or disabled by your work-related incident, you may receive additional benefits.
- No exclusions: Your coverage can only be signed away in very specific circumstances.
- Has a dispute resolution system: Administrative Law Judges are authorized to resolve workers’ compensation disputes.
You do not need to work with a construction accident lawyer to benefit from workers’ compensation insurance, but you should. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can guide you through the following process to pursue maximum compensation as fast as possible – get us going on the first step as early as today.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim
To protect your workers’ rights after a construction accident, you need to file a workers’ compensation claim as fast as you can. Here are the steps you must follow to give yourself the best chance of securing the compensation you deserve:
- Report your injury: Tell your employer about your injury, after which he or she should ensure you receive immediate medical care. Delaying in reporting an injury increases the likelihood of your claim being disputed by your employer or your benefits being reduced by an Administrative Law Judge.
- Get medical treatment: Medical attention does more than just protect your health. It also shows your commitment to making as full a recovery as possible, which proves you are not trying to make the most of your injury. If your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance has a medical care plan, you must access medical care from an approved provider.
- File an official claim on time: An accident report is not the same as a claim. You need to file a Form 30C to put your claim on record, and you need to act fast. You only have 1 year to file a claim after an accidental injury or 3 years from the first symptom of an occupational illness becoming apparent. An experienced construction accident lawyer can assist you in completing the form accurately and on time.
- Chase your payments: You should receive benefit checks fast after becoming disabled, typically within 2 weeks. If you are still waiting after this, contact your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider to ask for an update. In the case of disputed claims, you must receive a written notice explaining the reason. If you do not receive one, your employer has 28 days to start making workers’ comp payments.
How Gould Injury Law Pursues Fast Results in Workers' Compensation Insurance Claims
When you need compensation fast, your employer or the workers’ compensation insurance provider may drag their feet. This is where Gould Injury Law’s fast-working construction accident attorneys may be able to assist in speeding up the process – start by scheduling a free consultation with our team.
You may be called into a conference with your employer and the insurance company to negotiate a settlement. The goal is to agree on fair wages and health coverage to cover your needs arising from the accident. If you cannot agree on a settlement, your case will move to Connecticut’s workers’ compensation board.
At every stage of the process, you need a Gould Injury Law construction injury attorney by your side. Our lawyer can seek to protect your rights, push the insurer to approve treatment, and pay the wage coverage you need. Additionally, a construction accident lawyer can explain whether you have the right to file a lawsuit in addition to your workers’ comp claim.
Your Rights to File a Lawsuit After a Construction Accident
Workers’ compensation benefits usually prevent you from suing your employer for your construction accident injuries. However, a Gould Injury Law construction accident lawyer can explain whether there are other liable parties you could sue in your case.
This is known as third-party liability, meaning that someone other than your employer bore at least partial responsibility for your accident. Some liable parties could be:
- A subcontractor who acted negligently and contributed to your accident
- A property owner who failed to ensure the site was safe
- A manufacturer who supplied equipment with defects that caused your accident
The benefits of filing a lawsuit can include access to other forms of compensation, such as pain and suffering, that are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Talk to a Gould Injury Law attorney to discover whether you have the right to file a lawsuit.
Fast, Aggressive Representation for Construction Accident Victims
If one of Hartford’s development zone projects has turned into a nightmare for you, do not despair. Construction workers have the right to receive fair compensation from workers’ compensation insurance regardless of who was at fault. Whether you solely pursue a workers’ comp claim or you sue a third party for damages, now is the time to unleash an aggressive and fast-acting Gould Injury Law construction accident attorney to fight your case.
We are called “The Fast Firm” of Connecticut because we believe construction accident victims have the right to expect fast access to fair compensation. At every stage of your case, we will aggressively pursue the best outcome so that you can rebuild your life with confidence.
Don’t wait any longer for the justice you deserve. Trust Gould Injury Law with your case while you focus on healing. Call 888-WIN-FAST or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with “The Fast Firm.”
