Surprise Construction Injury Lawyer

Surprise Construction Injury Attorney

If you have an injury or illness from working at a construction site, you may be entitled to benefits through workers’ compensation. Arizona requires employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance to all part-time and full-time employees. It is a no-fault system, meaning employees can have benefits, even if they are partially at fault. However, the claims process isn’t always clear. Navigating workers’ comp can be frustrating, especially after a serious injury, without a skilled Surprise construction injury lawyer.

The team at Arizona Injury Law Group PLLC can advocate fiercely on your behalf to recover lost wages, medical expenses, and compensation for temporary or permanent disability. Our workers’ compensation attorneys have a deep knowledge of Arizona construction injury laws, and they possess almost 70 years of combined experience with construction injury cases. Our top priority is excellence in legal representation for injured workers.

Construction Injury Cases

Surprise and other cities in the Phoenix metro area have seen a boom in housing. In fact, Maricopa County is the fastest-growing county in the nation for new housing, according to a recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau, adding 38,000 new housing units in 2023-2024. All this new construction, unfortunately, also means more accidents at construction sites and more injuries for workers.

In the U.S., construction has more preventable fatal work injuries than any other industry. Construction injuries lead to over 1,000 fatalities a year and an additional 26,000 serious injuries. These can include:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Damage to muscles and internal organs
• Electrocution
• Burns
• Loss of senses or limbs

These and other conditions often leave workers disabled, sometimes for the rest of their lives. The leading causes of construction injuries include:

• Falls from heights due to working on scaffolds, ladders, etc.
• Falls due to uneven ground or surfaces
• Struck-by accidents involving building materials, equipment, tools, or machines
• Accidents with electricity, fire, and dangerous chemicals
• Heavy equipment accidents involving bulldozers, trucks, cranes, etc.
• Trenches or excavations that collapse
• Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke

AZ Workers’ Compensation Laws

Workers’ compensation insurance is intended to protect employers from paying large medical bills, lost wages, and disability benefits when a worker suffers an injury or illness at their job. In most cases, a worker injured at a construction site in Surprise is eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim, which provides benefits for:

• Medical expenses, such as hospitalization, extra doctor visits, and physical therapy
• Temporary disability benefits while the worker is recovering
• Permanent disability benefits for serious injuries that prevent a worker from returning to their job
• Vocational rehabilitation for injured workers to be trained in a new job
• Death benefits to beneficiaries for fatal injuries

It is important to note that not all workers are eligible for workers’ compensation. Independent contractors are not covered by the insurance provided by the company that contracts them. Nevertheless, when an injured worker is not eligible for workers’ comp insurance, they may still be entitled to benefits through state or federal disability, or they might be eligible to file a legal claim against a negligent third party.

Don’t Face a Construction Injury Alone

Many injured workers in Arizona receive workers’ compensation benefits every year. However, employers and insurance companies have teams of human resources and legal professionals to protect the interests of the company. If there are too many claims at one employer, for example, regulatory agencies may scrutinize the company, or the employer’s insurance premiums may increase. Injured workers also deserve someone to fight for them just as fiercely.

Unfortunately, the claims process can be confusing, frustrating, and unclear. Workers must follow certain steps and meet specific deadlines, and the system is not always forgiving of mistakes. For the highest chance of a favorable outcome, the first step is to hire a construction injury lawyer who can get you the benefits you are entitled to. They can also act as a barrier between you and insurance companies, so you and your family can focus on your health.

FAQs About Surprise, AZ Construction Injury Laws

What Is the New Construction Law in Arizona?

The new construction law in Arizona is Senate Bill 1182, which affords more protection to construction workers during hot Arizona summers. The law allows counties and municipalities to override local noise ordinances and other restrictions to allow construction to start earlier on May 1 through October 15.  During the week, construction can start at 5:00 a.m., and on Saturday, construction can start at 7:00 a.m. In addition, concrete pours can begin an hour before that.

What Does Maximum Medical Improvement Mean?

Maximum medical improvement (MMI) is a medical term used when your doctor determines the injured person has healed as much as they can heal.  In a construction injury case, this might mean the injured worker needs to evaluate options for future income, which may include training for a new position that they can perform with their injury or, in some cases, going on permanent disability.

What Is the Hardest Injury to Prove for Workers’ Comp?

The hardest injuries to prove for workers’ comp are repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome, and psychological trauma, such as PTSD from an injury. These injuries are challenging to prove because they are often not the result of one specific event, so they can be difficult to definitively link to the work environment. The most reliable way to determine how hard it would be to prove your injury is to consult a skilled Surprise construction injury attorney.

How Long Does an Injured Worker Have to Legally File a Claim in Arizona?

An injured worker has one year from when the injury occurred to legally file a claim in Arizona to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. In some cases, such as with repetitive stress injuries, the worker may not know about the injury right away; in those cases, the worker has one year from the date they learn of the injury. It is important to note that undue delays can affect eligibility for workers’ compensation claims.

Your Experienced Surprise, AZ, Construction Injury Lawyers

The team of legal professionals at Arizona Injury Law Group PLLC is dedicated to making sure workers get the benefits and compensation they need after suffering a work-related injury or illness. You don’t have to face a construction injury alone. Contact us right away to discuss your case and learn how to protect your rights and interests.