What to Do Following a Construction Accident

Unfortunately, working in the construction industry comes with its share of risks. Even if you are extremely careful, it is likely that you will experience an accident at one time or another. Being prepared and knowing what to do after an accident can help keep you, your co-workers, and any other people in the area as safe as possible.

Five Steps to take After a Construction Accident

Immediately following a construction accident, the scene can be extremely chaotic. In order to stay calm, it is best to follow these steps, which will help you protect the project and make it easier for an investigation to take place.

Call 911

Call for emergency medical attention immediately. Those who are injured should avoid moving unless they are in a dangerous location. Bystanders should be moved to a safe location away from the accident.

File a Report

Report the accident to the proper organizations. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will need to be notified that an accident has occurred. Insurance companies will also need to be informed of the accident. There may also be additional entities that require notification, like manufacturers or suppliers.

Identify the Employees

Interview the employees who were present during the accident. There is a possibility that these employees will become a part of the claim process even if they were not injured. Looking at the possible claims that may be filed or that your employees may defend is an important step.

Gather Evidence

Preserve evidence as quickly as possible, which will help to ensure that the investigation runs smoothly and that no questions come up later in regard to this evidence. Some of the items that you may need to gather are emails, security videos, witness lists, and photographs.

Develop a Chain of Command

Determine who will be the spokesperson for the investigation. This person will be the one who will deal directly with the investigators, lawyers, and insurance companies. Laying this chain of command out can help avoid confusion later down the road.

Contact a Construction Site Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a construction accident, you are urged to contact the Indianapolis Construction Site Accident Attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. The lawyers at WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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