Accidents happen all too frequently for contractors and construction workers. It could be an accidental incident with a nail gun, a slip and fall incident or something that causes a homeowner to be injured as well.
So, what should you do if you’re ever injured on the job?
Be Sure to Have Insurance First
If you’re just getting into contracting work, you’ll want to secure an insurance plan for yourself and any employees you have as part of your business. This type of liability insurance protects you from issues with your customers and will ensure you’re covered if you ever have an accident on the job. Talk with your local insurance broker to find the best rates and coverage options available.
What About Worker’s Comp?
If you’re a construction manager, you’ll also want to make sure your business has a strong workers compensation plan for your employees. At any point in time, an employee can get hurt while working on a job and you need to be prepared for potential payouts.
You’ve Just Been Injured, What’s Next?
It’s bound to happen sometime. No matter how careful you are, accidents happen from time to time. As soon as you have been injured on the job, the first step is to assess the damage. Make sure you’re okay and don’t need to call 911 right way. Thankfully, most injuries are minor and can be resolved with a quick trip to the doctor.
What If It’s the Clients Fault?
A client can also be at fault for an injury on the job. This could be because of a cluttered home with hazardous objects everywhere or maybe they just got in the way of the job. If this occurs and even if you are properly insured, you’ll still want to reach out to a personal injury attorney like Colorado Injury Law in Denver. Although it may be a complete accident and isolated incident with the customer, you’ll want to make sure you are protected.
What If the Client Is Injured?
Although it’s rare, a client can become injured on the job too. This usually occurs when loose tools and equipment create a hazard for the client. Be as careful as you can in any contracting job you work on. On the rare occasion that a client could become injured, you’ll first want to make sure they are okay and make a judgement call about calling 911. If it’s a very serious injury, call for an ambulance as quickly as possible.
Minor injuries to clientele, however unfortunate, can be handled by your insurance carrier. They will most often reach a settlement with the client so you can continue working.
Next Steps
To avoid injuries altogether, be sure you are properly trained in your area of expertise. For instance, if you’re an electrician, you should be updated on all current standards and licenses. Be sure to have an insurance plan for yourself and the business too. Ask your local insurance broker for any additional advice they can offer pertaining to an independent contractor or construction group.
It’s everyone’s hope to avoid injuries altogether, but in this line of work accidents can happen from time to time.
