What to Do After a Slip and Fall at a Construction Site
- Yellow Pages Admin
- Jul 3
- 4 min read
A construction site can be a dangerous place. There are often all kinds of hazards including uneven walking surfaces, loose flooring, missing handrails, unmarked holes, poor lighting, and debris. Construction accidents such as slip and falls can cause serious injuries. Concussions, spinal injuries, and fractured bones are common. Catastrophic injuries and fatalities are also possible, especially with falls from heights.
You may be entitled to compensation after being hurt in a slip and fall at a construction site—but there are several important steps you’ll need to take to protect yourself and your legal rights. There may also be several options for claiming financial compensation that you’ll want to explore.
In today’s article, we’ll discuss what to do after a slip and fall at a construction site and provide an overview of the potential legal options for seeking compensation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to an Oshawa and Whitby slip and fall lawyer at Kelly Greenway Bruce for advice or help with your claim.
Steps to Take Following a Construction Site Slip and Fall
The first step after you slip and fall at a construction site is to take care of your injuries.
Your well-being is the top priority. If you’ve suffered a serious injury, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. See your doctor or go to a walk-in clinic as soon as possible if injuries seem less severe, and even if you think your injuries “aren’t that bad.” Shock and adrenaline can mask pain.
Proper assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries is crucial. Timely medical attention will put you on the best path toward recovering from your injuries. It will establish a connection between the construction accident and your injuries, and the related medical records will provide valuable evidence to prove your entitlement to financial compensation.
The next steps are also extremely important and should be taken if you are physically able:
Report the incident to the property owner, site supervisor, or manager. If the construction accident occurred while you were working, report the incident to your employer. Ensure all details of the accident are recorded in writing and request a copy of the report.
Collect the full names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Take photos and/or videos of the exact location where the accident occurred and any conditions that contributed to it (e.g., debris, building supplies, loose cables, construction equipment, broken/missing guardrail, unmarked gaps/holes/trenches, defective ladder/steps).
If there are surveillance or security cameras, obtain and preserve a copy of the footage.
Keep any clothing, shoes, and objects you were wearing or had on your person during the incident.
As soon as possible, record everything you can recall about the accident, including the time, date and location of the incident, as well as how the accident occurred and the specific injuries you suffered.
If the slip and fall happened outdoors, print out a weather report for the week leading up to the accident as well as the day of the accident.
Don’t sign anything presented to you by the property owner, manager, site supervisor, or insurance company without talking to a lawyer first.
If your injuries are too severe to take those important steps, you or a loved one should consider getting legal assistance. An Oshawa, Lindsay, and Whitby slip and fall lawyer at our firm can help navigate the steps, gather evidence, and guide you through the legal process.
Options for Claiming Slip and Fall Compensation
Your legal options will depend on several factors, including where the accident occurred, what caused the accident, who owns the property, and whether you were working when injured. It’s strongly recommended that you consult with a slip and fall lawyer to discuss your case, determine which option(s) are available, and decide which option is most beneficial to you.
After a slip and fall at a construction site, you may be entitled to claim compensation by:
Filing a personal injury lawsuit against third parties. If someone else’s fault or negligence caused the accident, you can bring a lawsuit to recover damages and losses from the wrongdoer(s), which may include the property owner (private, commercial, or government), construction company, contractors, equipment manufacturers, maintenance company, or surveillance/security company.
Initiating a workers’ compensation claim (“WSIB claim”). If you were working when the incident occurred, you may be entitled to claim WSIB benefits. There are some situations where an injured worker can choose between a WSIB claim and a personal injury lawsuit. Note that if your case is one in which you can elect to claim WSIB benefits or commence a third party lawsuit, you must make the election within three months of the accident.
Making a long-term disability claim. You may have LTD benefit coverage through your employer, or you may have purchased coverage privately through an insurance company or insurance broker. LTD benefits can provide much needed financial support while you’re unable to work due to injuries, but insurance companies can make the claims process difficult. Many legitimate disability claims are denied due to mistakes in the application forms, missed deadlines, or insufficient medical evidence. Reach out to a long-term disability claims lawyer if your claim has been denied or your benefits have been unfairly cut off.
We mentioned the deadline for making an election between WSIB and a personal injury lawsuit above. Each of the types of claims discussed above has its own strict deadlines and specific notice requirements. Missing a limitation period or failing to provide required notice can be fatal to your claim. These strict timelines are another important reason to seek legal advice early.
Get Legal Advice After a Construction Site Slip and Fall
Whitby, Oshawa, Lindsay, Kawartha Lakes and surrounding area residents are welcome to contact the knowledgeable lawyers at Kelly Greenway Bruce for advice after suffering a construction site slip and fall injury.
We can analyze your case, explain your legal options, and determine what type of damages you may be able to recover. Plus, we don’t request retainers and won’t charge you any fees until we win your case.
Our experienced lawyers will fight tirelessly on your behalf. For a free case evaluation or help getting the compensation your deserve, contact us today.
