A serious fall or accident on a construction site can change your life fast. These injuries can affect your ability to work, your income, and your long term health. Getting hurt at work also puts you into the workers’ compensation system, which can feel overwhelming when you are already dealing with pain.
Construction site injuries are often severe. Common injuries we see after falls and job site accidents include:
- Torn rotator cuffs in the shoulder
- Back injuries including herniated or bulging discs
- Torn labrums in the shoulder
- Torn ACLs or meniscus injuries in the knee
Why This Is Life Changing
Construction injuries are not small setbacks. These are heavy duty jobs, and when your body is injured, your life can change overnight. Many workers are told to tough it out or push through the pain because the job has to get done. Insurance companies often do not believe how bad the injury really is and may act like you should be able to keep working.
When your job depends on your physical strength, one injury can mean you cannot do the work you did before. That is not just stressful. That is life changing.
Surgery and Light Duty After a Construction Injury
Many construction injuries lead to surgery, long recovery periods, and months of physical therapy. Shoulder tears, knee injuries, and serious back injuries often do not heal quickly. Some workers are told they need surgery just to have a chance of returning to work.
Light duty is often not realistic on construction sites. Most job sites do not have modified work that fits serious injury restrictions, yet insurance companies may still push for an early return to work or claim light duty should be available when it is not.
If you cannot safely do full duty work, you may be taken off the schedule, which can leave you without a paycheck while you are still dealing with medical appointments and recovery.
What To Do After a Construction Site Injury
- Report the injury to your supervisor and say what part of your body was hurt.
- Get medical care right away, even if the injury seems minor.
- Follow your doctor’s restrictions and do not return to full duty if you are not cleared.
In Washington, D.C., injured workers can choose their own doctor, so you do not have to see the doctor the insurance company wants you to see.
Watch: Construction Site Falls and Workers’ Compensation
Attorney Frank Kearney explains what happens after a construction site fall in Washington, D.C. and what injured workers should know about their rights.
At Donahoe Kearney, we stand up for hardworking people hurt on construction sites. We deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on getting better.
Call 202-393-3320 or book your free consultation here: Book Free Consultation