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How to Make an Accident Report in Construction: 4 Steps

injury report and construction hat

If you are injured on a construction site and fail to fill out an incident report promptly, it can reduce your chance of getting the compensation you deserve.

Learning how to make an accident report in construction can prevent frustration and ensure your employer is held responsible for providing a safe work environment.

How to Make an Effective Accident Report in Construction

Here are four steps we recommend you take to complete your construction accident report.

1. See a Doctor Immediately

As soon as the injury occurs, you should notify your employer and schedule a medical evaluation. Failing to get immediate treatment can cause long-term health issues and make it more difficult to receive compensation.

2. Take Photos and Document Everything

Photographic evidence will prove valuable to the doctor, as well as you if you end up in court.

Written evidence is important, too, including:

  • A daily log of symptoms
  • Details of doctor’s visits (including dates)
  • Discussions with others about the accident, including witnesses, employers, and fellow workers (again, include dates)

3. Ensure Employers Have Completed and Submitted the Correct Forms

We recommend asking for copies of any forms submitted. It is also best for an attorney to ensure the employer completely filled out the correct form.

4. Keep Copies of All Information About the Accident

You should keep everything related to the accident on file, including:

  • Workplace paperwork and correspondence
  • Doctor’s notes, results of medical tests
  • Correspondence from legal teams
  • Pay stubs and timesheets
  • Claim form
  • Accident report
  • Receipts for medical expenses, including prescriptions

We also urge our clients to keep the envelope of any mailed correspondence as the postmark may be pertinent.

Accident Report Example: Templates to Help

Looking for a construction incident report template? You can find plenty of fall incident report examples, as well as other accident reporting templates online. You can review these to see what type of information you need to provide.

The best form to consider, though, is the one provided by OSHA. It is a detailed form and is available for every type of workplace injury, no matter how minor it may seem.

In addition to evaluating workplace accident report examples, you can (and should) consult an injury attorney.

The Latest Data on Construction Accidents

Construction workers put their health and life on the line regularly. Accidents – sometimes fatal ones – can result from:

  • Falls (5% of fatal construction injuries)
  • Drop or displacement of material (11% of fatal injuries)
  • Excavation machinery or soil-related operations failures
  • Mechanical construction equipment failure (including electrical devices, demolition equipment, hoists, and cranes)
  • Electrocution (8.5% of fatal construction injuries)
  • Being caught or compressed in between equipment or material (5.5% of injuries)

In 2019, fatal injuries in construction operations increased by six percent – that is the highest rate in over a decade.

Why Construction Workers Need to File Accident Reports

With the increase in fatal injury rates, entities like OSHA need construction employees to learn how to make an accident report in construction. Doing so can help them monitor which safety standards are being violated and put more regulations in place to protect workers’ safety.

Additionally, filing an on-the-job incident report is part of the evidence construction workers need to get recompense, whether an employee (or their family) is seeking compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Job loss
  • Spousal or dependent child support (if the accident resulted in the employee’s death)

Choosing an Experienced Injury Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer can be a daunting prospect, which is why we recommend looking for an attorney with an excellent record and reputation, as well as experience. Construction workers face some of the most dangerous working conditions in the U.S. We are here to help make sure workers and their families are protected.

Have you been injured in a workplace accident? You need someone on your side to fight for your right to compensation. Contact us today to schedule a consultationSe Habla Español.

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