Were you injured on a construction site in Boise, Idaho? You may be dealing with uncertainty about whether your claim should involve workers’ compensation, a personal injury lawsuit, or both. A Boise construction accident lawyer at Feller & Wendt, LLC can help you understand your rights and pursue the full compensation available. Call (208) 595-6953 for a free consultation.
We have decades of experience advocating for injured workers like yourself. We’re ready to help you rebuild your life after your accident. Reach out today to learn more.
Why Choose Feller & Wendt, LLC After a Boise Construction Accident?
Construction accident cases in Boise, ID, involve many layers of complexity. Your employer, a subcontractor, a property owner, or an equipment manufacturer may be responsible, while multiple insurance companies point fingers at each other. Feller & Wendt, LLC knows how to investigate serious injury claims and deal with companies and insurers that try to limit responsibility.
Injured clients choose our Boise personal injury lawyers because:
- Our attorneys have over a century of combined legal experience handling serious accident and injury cases.
- We have recovered tens of millions for injured clients across Utah and Idaho.
- We are a Veteran-owned firm recognized by the National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers.
- We provide personalized service that helps clients feel like a priority, not a file number.
- We handle construction accident claims on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact us today to schedule a free case review with an experienced Boise personal injury attorney.
How Much Is My Construction Accident Claim Worth in Boise?
A construction accident is not always limited to one claim. Many injured workers assume workers’ compensation is their only option. In some cases, workers’ compensation may be the first source of medical and wage benefits. However, it may not be the only source of recovery.
A construction accident case may involve a workers’ compensation claim through your employer, or a third-party injury claim against someone other than your employer. Therefore, the value of your claim is directly dependent on whether you are limited to workers’ compensation or have broader rights to damages under personal injury law.
Other factors that will influence your case value include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The extent of your medical bills
- Your lost wages
- Whether you have suffered a disability
- The pain and suffering you’ve experienced
- Available insurance coverages
- Whether you share fault (mainly relevant in personal injury cases)
- The strength of your evidence
An experienced attorney can help you determine the sources of compensation you are entitled to and evaluate the full worth of your claim.
When Can You File a Third-Party Claim After a Construction Accident?
A third-party claim may be available when someone other than your employer caused or contributed to the accident. Construction sites often involve many companies working at the same time, which means responsibility may extend beyond one employer.
Potential third parties may include:
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Property owners
- Developers
- Architects or engineers
- Equipment rental companies
- Machinery manufacturers
- Trucking companies
- Delivery companies
- Maintenance contractors
- Safety consultants
- Utility companies
These claims require careful investigation to uncover a third party’s role in causing the accident. The sooner an attorney is involved, the easier it may be to preserve evidence before the site changes or witnesses move to another project.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Boise Construction Accident?
The compensation available depends on the type of claim. Workers’ compensation may pay certain medical bills and wage benefits, but it does not usually compensate you for everything you lost. Importantly, a third-party personal injury claim may allow recovery for additional damages not covered by workers’ compensation.
Serious construction accident cases often include money for:
- Medical treatment
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Medical equipment
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring
- Loss of mobility
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages
With a third-party claim, you can recover the full range of past and future losses that have affected you personally and financially. Your lost wages aren’t capped, and your pain and suffering can be fully recognized.
We’ll Seek Compensation for All Your Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accidents often involve more force, height, weight, or machinery than ordinary injury cases. These accidents frequently feature catastrophic injuries, with the worst ones causing fatalities. Workers deserve accountability when these injuries are the result of unsafe working conditions or the negligence of a third party.
At Feller & Wendt, LLC, we regularly represent clients who have suffered:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Eye injuries
- Knee and shoulder injuries
- Nerve damage
- Toxic exposure injuries
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Severe burns
- Wrongful death
Construction workers often rely on their physical strength to earn a living. When an injury takes those abilities away, the financial impact can be long-lasting. We’ll make sure you receive compensation for all the harm you’ve suffered and all the ways your injuries have affected your life.
What Causes Construction Accidents in Boise?
Construction accidents are often preventable. They happen due to safety violations and failures to exercise reasonable care on the construction site.
Common causes of construction accidents include:
- Falls from elevated surfaces and platforms
- Lack of fall protection
- Falling tools and materials
- Unsafe trenching/excavation practices
- Heavy equipment accidents
- Electrocution
- Defective machinery
- Inadequate worker training
- Fires and explosions
- Chemical exposure
Many accidents involve more than one safety failure. For example, a fall may involve missing guardrails, poor lighting, and pressure to finish work quickly, among other things.
Feller & Wendt, LLC can investigate the full chain of events to determine why the accident happened and who should be held responsible.
How Does Comparative Fault Affect a Construction Accident Claim?
While workers’ compensation is generally a no-fault system, Idaho follows a modified comparative fault rule for third-party claims. This means your compensation can be reduced if you are found partly responsible for the accident. For example, if your damages are valued at $100,000 but you are found 23% at fault, your recovery may be reduced to $77,000.
If your share of fault is 50% or more, you may be barred from recovering compensation entirely. However, you should not assume you are at fault just because someone says so. A lawyer can review your case to challenge unfair blame-shifting tactics and protect the value of your claim.
What Should You Do After a Boise Construction Accident?
The steps you take after a construction accident can impact your health and your claim for a long time to come. Taking the right steps to preserve evidence and seek medical treatment will help set your claim up for success.
After an accident, you should:
- Get medical treatment immediately
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible
- Ask for a copy of any incident report
- Take photos of the accident scene if you can safely do so
- Photograph your injuries
- Get names and phone numbers of witnesses
- Keep your damaged equipment
- Write down what happened while the details are fresh
- Follow all medical restrictions
- Avoid giving recorded statements without legal advice
You should also speak with an experienced construction accident attorney for help understanding your rights and legal options.
How Long Do You Have To File a Construction Accident Claim in Idaho?
Different deadlines may apply depending on the type of claim. For workers’ compensation, you should report the injury to your employer immediately. Waiting more than 60 days can put your benefits at risk. Additional workers’ compensation deadlines may also apply, so it is important to act quickly.
For a third-party personal injury lawsuit, Idaho generally gives injured people two years from the date of injury to file a case. Missing the deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation in court. Waiting can also make the case harder to prove. Contact us today to get started on your claim and avoid issues with the statute of limitations.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer?
Most construction accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That means you are not responsible for upfront fees or retainers to start your case. Likewise, you will not be charged hourly fees.
Instead, your lawyer’s fee will be taken from the compensation recovered for you through a settlement or verdict. The percentage should be explained before the case begins. If your lawyer does not recover compensation for you, you generally do not owe attorney fees.
Feller & Wendt, LLC offers contingency fees to all personal injury clients. We also provide free consultations to help you understand your rights under Idaho law.
Contact a Boise Construction Accident Lawyer Today
You may have multiple options after a serious construction accident in Boise, Idaho. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, a third-party injury claim, or both. Our team can help you unlock the full value of your claim and recover all sources of compensation.
Contact Feller & Wendt, LLC today to schedule a free consultation with a Boise construction accident attorney. We’re here to stand up for you.