Construction Zone injuries and death totals on the rise

In 2012, a little more than 2,000 automobile accidents occurred in construction zones in Alabama; of this figure, 21 people lost their lives. The attached article hints that with the increased roadwork planned-these figures could rise.

Work injuries suffered while working in a construction zone are unfortunately not to be unexpected given the increased number of people driving longer and longer distances. In the days before the advent of workers compensation laws, an injured or killed worker might be said to have “assumed the risk” of catastrophic injury, but with workers compensation laws, this defense is no longer available to employers. If you are injured while performing your job duties in a construction zone-you are entitled to workers compensation benefits, even if the worker is partially at fault. If the injury results in the death of a worker, then their family would be entitled to certain death benefits available under Alabama’s workers compensation statute.

Moreover, many times the injured worker would also be entitled to pursue damages for the personal injury (or wrongful death claim made by their family) caused by the negligence of a driver in addition to workers compensation benefits.

If you work in Alabama, you have suffered an injury while working in a construction zone and you have questions about your rights under the Alabama Workers Compensation laws, don’t hesitate to contact and speak with one of the experienced Alabama Workers Compensation Lawyers at Powell and Denny today. We will work hard to help you achieve the best result possible in your case.  And when driving through a construction zone-please slow down and be extra vigilant.

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Offices in Huntsville, Alabama and Birmingham, AL

 

Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 5 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 3 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry.

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