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    Throughout South Carolina, business is booming. Construction crews are putting up new projects from the Upstate to the Lowcountry, including a 15,000-square-foot community center and a new interchange for I-26 in North Charleston.

    This growth spells good news for workers in South Carolina. However, progress often has its downsides. The swift pace of development can result in a sharp rise in construction injuries and fatalities.

    If you suffered an injury on a construction site in Charleston County or a surrounding area, you are probably worried about losing income and paying your medical bills. Our construction accident attorneys at Joye Law Firm can guide you through this challenging time. We can help you get workers’ compensation benefits and, if necessary, file a personal injury lawsuit.

    Joye Law Firm North Charleston Office Location

    5861 Rivers Avenue
    North Charleston, SC 29406
    (843) 554-3100

    How Joye Law Firm Has Helped Injured Workers

    At Joye Law Firm, our results show just how good our team is at fighting for the rights of injured workers. Below, you’ll see some of our settlement awards. They highlight our team’s dedication, legal skill, and ability to maximize your settlement so you can get back on your feet:

    • Falling Equipment Injury In Awendaw: A 66-year-old, who supervising a pile-driving operation, was severely injured by a falling axe due to improper Matt Jackson Headshotequipment use. Joye Law Firm’s Attorney Matt Jackson took the case, challenging the employer’s insurance efforts to minimize compensation.

    Even with attempts to use surveillance to question the injury, our attorney managed to secure a $165,000 settlement by bringing to light the severe health issues the victim faced after the accident.

    • I-526 Construction Site Crash In North Charleston: While working for the S.C. Department of Transportation, a site inspector was struck by a work truck and permanently injured. He suffered a broken pelvis along with other serious injuries, which required multiple surgeries and caused agonizing pain.

    Mark Joye Circle HeadshotDespite admitting liability, the at-fault party refused to pay. Attorney Mark Joye filed a third-party lawsuit, and took the case to trial. During the trial, he presented evidence of our client’s enormous medical bills, future medical needs, lost wages, and permanent disability. As a result, our client was awarded a $6 million verdict, enabling him to move forward with his life without financial worries.

    Safety Standards and Regulations for Construction Sites

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the state of South Carolina establish standards and regulations for workplaces to ensure the safety of employees. These standards include:

    • Fall Protection: Construction sites must have safety measures for workers to reduce fall risks. Such as guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems.
    • Safety Gear and Dress Code: Workers may be required to wear hard hats, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots to mitigate the risk of head, eye, and foot injuries.
    • Equipment and Workplace Safety: All tools and machinery must be regularly inspected for safety. Sites must keep clear pathways to prevent tripping hazards.
    • Limiting Hazardous Material Exposure: There are strict regulations for the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, including mandatory training for workers.

    When an employer fails to comply with these standards, it can cause injury or death to workers. It can also lead to severe legal consequences, including fines, lawsuits, and increased liability.

    Summerville photo shoot 2024

    Common Accidents on Charleston Construction Sites

    Unfortunately, construction can be dangerous work. In 2022, South Carolina saw 34,100 non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses, with 1,300 injuries in the construction industry. For fatal injuries, construction had the highest number of deaths in the state, at 24.

    Common accidents on construction sites can include:

    • Falls (from heights such as roofs, ladders, and scaffolding as well as same-level falls, or slip and falls, due to cluttered working areas)
    • Getting struck by an object (such as falling tools or debris)
    • Electrocutions (often due to exposure to “live” power lines)
    • Getting caught in or between objects (such as equipment).

    In addition to these common causes of construction injuries, our law firm has also seen workers suffer injuries due to:

    Vehicle collisions
    Defective or poorly maintained equipment
    Fires and explosions
    Forklift accidents
    Improper training

    What to Do if You’re Injured on a Construction Site

    If you are a construction worker who was injured on the job in Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester, and surrounding counties, immediately report the injury to your employer and seek medical attention. In addition to health reasons, this protects your right to pursue workers’ compensation benefits and potential additional compensation. You should also:

    • Write down the names and contact information of co-workers or others who may have witnessed the accident
    • Keep all paperwork and reports, including medical bills and receipts from other accident-related expenses
    • Keep track of your medical treatments, appointments, and providers
    • Follow medical advice carefully
    • Contact an attorney as soon as possible

    After a construction site injury, you may be unable to return to your job in the same capacity (or return to work at all). At Joye Law Firm, we understand the pressure and challenges injured construction workers face, and we want to help. We start by providing a free consultation in which we can learn the facts of your case and review your options.

    Your journey for receiving compensation may involve one or both of these compensation options:

    Compensation Option When It Applies Coverages Example
    Workers’ Compensation Benefits When injured on the job in South Carolina.

    Requires notifying your employer of the injury within 90 days and filing a claim within two years.

    Medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. You slip and fall while on the construction site floor, resulting in a broken leg and the need for several weeks off work.
    Personal Injury Claim When an injury is caused by third-party negligence on a job site.

    Requires proving negligence and submitting evidence through an insurance claim or lawsuit.

    Full range of damages, including current and future medical costs, lost wages, diminished future earnings, and pain and suffering. You are injured by a piece of equipment that malfunctioned because it was poorly maintained by a third-party vendora piece of equipment .

     

    At Joye Law Firm, our team of experienced construction accident attorneys will explore all sources of compensation that are available to you. When you work with our law firm, you can count on our legal team to:

    • Fully investigate your case
    • Consult with experts to determine how your injury occurred and how it has affected your life
    • Pursue the benefits and/or personal injury damages you deserve through the settlement negotiation process
    • Fight for you at a workers’ compensation hearing or civil trial, if necessary
    • Provide the collective wisdom of the entire firm on your case. Unlike firms that only assign one attorney per case, Joye Law Firm’s entire injury team meets regularly to review case files and determine the best strategy for each of our client’s case.

    We have the skills and experience to handle your claim, no matter how serious or catastrophic your injuries may be. Most of the time, powerful insurance companies will represent employers. They will want to finalize your claim quickly and for as little money as possible.

    If some other party is responsible for your injuries, you should expect that they will also fight to avoid paying you. You will need a lawyer who will protect you from start to finish.

    Get Help from a Charleston Construction Accident Attorney Today

    Injuries from construction accidents can result in permanent disabilities and limit your ability to work. At Joye Law Firm, we’re committed to assisting you in securing the compensation you need for your losses after a workplace injury.

    When you work with us, you benefit from more than 300 years of combined legal experience. Our attorneys have received numerous accolades from merit and peer-reviewed organizations. Each year, several of our attorneys are included in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. Additionally, many of our attorneys have served on local and state boards. Partner Mark Joye is currently the President of the Charleston County Bar Association, and Attorney Sydney Lynn serves as President of the South Carolina Advocates for Justice. Partner Ken Harrell and Attorney Matt Jackson have both served as Presidents of the Injured Workers Advocates, South Carolina’s statewide workers’ compensation organization for attorneys.

    Another great reason to call Joye Law Firm is Our No Fee Guarantee. It means we never charge you a fee unless we recover money for you, and our consultations are always free and confidential. You have nothing to lose by contacting us about your construction accident.

    Time is limited. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to pursue compensation You may lose your right to recover compensation altogether if you wait too long to take action. Contact us today through our North Charleston office for your free case review.

    Originally published January 21, 2021, revised May 21, 2024.

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