blog home Construction Accidents What To Do After a Construction Accident in Atlanta

What To Do After a Construction Accident in Atlanta

By Grant Law Office on March 15, 2025

After a construction accident in Atlanta, it’s important to see your doctor right away and report the incident to your employer. You’ll also want to take pictures of the accident scene and collect contact information from any witnesses.

In the state of Georgia, workers have the right to recover compensation from their employer for injuries caused by gross negligence. So, the next stop is contacting a credible construction accident law firm.

You may be able to pursue additional compensation using a third-party lawsuit. So your construction accident can tell you if this is an option in your case and can assist with the workers’ compensation process.

Seeking Medical Attention

Prompt medical care helps your recovery and creates documentation that’s needed for filing workers’ compensation claims and pursuing additional avenues of compensation. Even if your injuries seem minor, they could lead to complications.

1. Call emergency services immediately if the injury is severe.
2. Visit a doctor or hospital to get a professional evaluation.
3. Keep all medical records and follow up on recommended care.

Reporting the Accident to Your Employer

You’ll want to notify your supervisor about the accident as soon as possible to ensure that the event is recorded officially.

1. Provide a clear account of what happened.
2. Include details like the time, location, and any witnesses.
3. Make sure a formal report is filed, and request a copy for your records.

Gathering Evidence and Documentation

Proper evidence and documentation are vital in supporting your claim. Collecting the right information can significantly impact the outcome of your case.

Types of Evidence to Collect

Several types of evidence can strengthen your claim:

• Photographs: Capture the accident scene and any visible injuries.
• Witness statements: Collect contact information from anyone who saw the incident.
• Medical records: Document every visit and treatment related to your injury.

Documenting Your Injuries

Accurately documenting injuries ensures your claim reflects the true impact of the accident.

• Keep a journal of your symptoms and how they affect daily life.
• Save all medical reports, prescriptions, and related expenses.
• Update records with any new developments or treatments.

Understanding Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job. It provides partial wage replacement and compensation for medical expenses and more.

After you report the injury to your employer and get medical attention, filing a workers’ compensation claim involves these steps:

1. Complete the claim form: Your employer should provide a workers’ compensation form. Fill out this form accurately.
2. Submit the form: Return the completed form to your employer or their insurance carrier promptly.
3. Follow up: Keep records of all communications and medical reports related to your injury.

Pursuing a Third-Party Accident Claim

You may be eligible to receive additional compensation beyond your workers’ compensation benefits by filing a third-party accident claim. This may apply when someone other than the employer is responsible for an injury.

For example, if faulty equipment caused your injuries, the manufacturer might be liable. Similarly, a subcontractor’s negligence can lead to a claim if it results in an accident.

Third parties that may be liable for construction accident injuries include:

• Property owners
• Equipment vendors
• Subcontractors
• Drivers
• Manufacturers of defective equipment

When Can You Recover Compensation from an Employer for Gross Negligence?

Gross negligence is a legal term that refers to a blatant disregard for the safety and reasonable care expected in a given situation. It is more serious than ordinary negligence, which might involve minor oversight or lapses in judgment.

In Georgia, gross negligence opens the door to lawsuits outside the normal scope of Georgia workers’ compensation. More specifically, in the workplace, gross negligence might mean ignoring vital safety protocols or failing to provide necessary protective equipment.

For example, in the case of construction employment, if an employer knowingly allows workers to operate dangerous machinery without proper safety gear, this could be gross negligence.

Real-world examples of gross negligence often involve a serious breach of safety standards.

• Example 1: A construction company ignores repeated warnings about a faulty scaffold. When it collapses, causing injuries, this is gross negligence.
• Example 2: A factory fails to provide adequate training for handling hazardous materials, resulting in a chemical spill and injury.

Meet with an Experienced Construction Accident Attorney Today

If you were hurt in a construction accident, we want to hear about it. For over 30 years, the Atlanta construction accident attorneys at Grant Law Office have been getting justice for construction accident victims.

Firm founder Wayne Grant has been recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation by Best Lawyers and is also proud to be listed among the top 5 percent of attorneys in Georgia by Super Lawyers.

Call Grant Law Office at (404) 995-3955 and schedule a free case review today!