Have you or a loved one suffered injuries in a construction accident? The negligence of others on a construction site can have life-changing consequences for victims.
More than one out of five deaths in the workplace take place in the construction industry. Even those that survive accidents can be left with injuries that have short- and long-term consequences.
Read on to learn how to file a construction accident lawsuit to seek compensation for your damages.
Before you file a lawsuit, it's crucial that you find and retain a reputable law firm that specializes in construction accident cases.
Prosecuting construction negligence claims is a unique area of the law. This means that you should find a firm in your area that has a strong reputation for focusing the practice on handling negligence cases.
For example, if your accident took place in Florida, you should retain a law firm with attorneys licensed in Florida. The firm should be well-known for representing victims in those kinds of cases.
Construction job sites are large operations with many different moving parts. Depending on the nature of your accident, there may be numerous parties that have some liability for your injuries.
An experienced Florida attorney will help you identify all parties that should be named in your construction accident lawsuit. This is significant because when you attend mediation or go to trial, those defendants must be part of the process.
Before you file a lawsuit, your attorney will gather the information they need to prepare a demand letter.
A demand letter is often the first time you put defendants on formal notice that you intend to file a lawsuit if they will not settle now. Your lawyer will draft a persuasive letter that provides the facts and legal basis for your claims.
It will also include medical records that reflect the severity of your injuries. The letter will make an explicit demand for settlement before a deadline. If the defendants will not settle your claims by that date, your lawyer will file a lawsuit.
Litigation starts when your lawyer files a complaint in the court that has jurisdiction over your claims. In Florida, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
A complaint is a pleading which states the legal causes of action. Each count of a complaint identifies the defendant(s) and the legal theory for liability. When a complaint is filed, the Clerk of Court will issue a summons for each defendant.
A copy of the summons and the complaint must be served on each defendant. This is known as the service of legal process in the court system.
A defendant has 20 days from the date of service to file a motion or an answer with the court. If they dispute the claims, your case will then proceed through litigation.
The construction accident law firm you hire is one of the most important aspects of your case. That's because your attorneys will act as an advocate for you in and out of court.
At VG Law Law Group, our lawyers and legal staff are devoted to representing victims throughout the State of Florida. We focus on serving our clients' needs and seeking justice for their damages.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn about how we can help you!
