Handling Construction Injury Claims and Lawsuits in NJ
Construction sites can potentially be dangerous places to work or visit. There are many obvious hazards associated with construction sites which include the use of heavy machinery, ladders, scaffolds, lifts, electrical wires, power tools, and the risk of falling objects and hazardous dusts and chemicals. Additionally, construction accidents may include the exposure of a worker to obviously hazardous conditions. Construction accidents can lead to a wide variety of injuries for workers and bystanders, including the loss of a limb, broken bones, and paralysis. Unfortunately, many of these injuries could have been prevented through implementation of adequate safety measures and other precautions. When construction workers and others are injured on construction sites and someone else is to blame, victims can seek just compensation for their injuries. Compensation can include lost wages, past and future disability, pain and suffering compensation, and other recompense for other losses incurred as a result of an injury. Depending on the circumstances of your construction related injuries in NJ, you may a worker’s compensation claim and/or grounds for a lawsuit. Even though most injuries are usually covered by workman’s compensation, you may also be entitled to additional compensation from the premises owner, the manufacturer or distributor of a product, or even your employer. Consult an experienced construction accident lawyer in New Jersey to learn more.
How our NJ Construction Accident Lawyers Can Help
Because of the legal complexities involved in construction accidents, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after a construction accident. If you contact our firm after a construction accident, our attorneys will begin an investigation into your case, contact any engineers or other experts that may be necessary, and fight to obtain the compensation you are entitled to from all of the parties responsible. Our New Jersey construction accident attorneys handle construction site injury cases throughout New Jersey, including accidents that occur on construction sites in Monmouth County, Ocean County, Atlantic County, and Middlesex County. If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a construction accident, contact us today at (732) 303-7857 for a free consultation and discuss your legal options.
Most Common Construction Accidents
Construction workers are injured in many different accidents, but several types of construction accidents are the most common reasons for injuries and deaths. Specifically, falls account for approximately 35% of all construction-industry deaths. Fatal falls and injuries from falls may be caused by insufficient scaffolding, harnesses, or other safety devices. Electrocution due to inadequate grounding, faulty cords, incorrect use of equipment, and unsecured power lines has also been associated with a significant number of construction accidents. Struck by an object is yet another common type of construction site accident, involving workers who are hit by falling, flying, swinging, or rolling objects. Lastly, crushing injuries are the fourth-most common among construction accidents. These injuries typically occur when a worker becomes caught in between shifting objects or moving machinery.
Leading Causes of Accidents in Construction
Those who work at construction sites are too often injured due to the negligence of others or the faulty design of equipment. Common causes of construction site accidents include:
- Injury from falls
- Exposed power lines
- Faulty or unsafe scaffolding
- Lack of safety measures to prevent injuries from falling objects
- Failure to address tripping hazards, such as remnants, debris, and construction materials
- Defective machinery
- Unsecured machinery
- Unsafe tools
- Supervision errors
- Communication errors
Injuries often result from the failure of those on site to follow applicable laws and regulations set forth by the Occupational Safety Hazard Association (OSHA).
Who is Liable for Construction Site Injuries?
Construction accident liability refers to the negligent party or parties who are legally responsible for death or injury on the job site. Construction sites are often overseen by a high number of potentially responsible parties, including contractors, subcontractors, developers, architects, engineering firms, equipment manufacturers, managers, owners, and other parties who are each responsible for various tasks and components of the construction project. After an accident on a construction site, it is crucial to determine which party had responsibility for a particular portion of a job site at the critical time when the accident occurred.
Often, construction accidents and resulting injuries happen because of negligence by the construction company, the owner or manager of the site, or procedural failures by one or more third parties involved. If one or more of these parties failed to install adequately safe scaffolding, secure power lines, ensure properly functioning construction equipment, or failed to take other reasonable measures for safety of the construction zone, they be held liable. Some accidents may give rise to a products liability action against the manufacturer of a defective product. This may include a machine that was designed in a dangerous manner or a large construction vehicle that malfunctioned.
With the potential for multiple parties with overlapping contractual obligations, company owners and others may attempt to shift the blame after a construction site accident. Establishing who bears legal liability for any failure to provide a safe workplace can be extraordinarily complicated and is best done by educated lawyers on the subject. An attorney experienced in handling construction site accident cases can help you determine who may be responsible for your particular injury. Our lawyers will investigate your construction accident case to determine if there are other negligent individuals or businesses who may be named in the lawsuit, which can create an additional pool of damages or insurance coverage from which to draw.
Potential Compensation for Construction Injury
If you bring a successful construction accident lawsuit against a site owner, general contractor, or other involved party, you may be able to recover compensation. Medical bills associated with construction site accidents can be staggering. Obtaining damages for your injuries can reimburse you for past and future medical bills and for any time you were unable to work because of the accident. This covers loss of income immediately after your injury occurred, as well as time off while in recovery and permanently reduced wages from a long-term disability. You may also be able to recover damages for your pain and suffering, which often amounts to substantial compensation. Our NJ construction injury attorneys can provide you with a free consultation and we will evaluate your claim at no cost to you.
How Often do Construction Accidents and Deaths Occur?
Federal statistics compiled by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics establish that working construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. In fact, 971 construction workers died on the job in 2017, accounting for around 20.7% of all workplace deaths in the United States. In other words, 1 of every 5 of the workers who died in the course of their work were involved in construction. Moreover, some sources indicate that two construction deaths take place in the U.S. every day. Thousands upon thousands more construction workers are injured on the job each year, with a numerous construction site injuries occurring in New Jersey.
Injured on a Construction Site in NJ, What are my Options?
The experienced New Jersey workplace accident attorneys at our firm are ready to ensure that you receive the very best representation should you be involved in a construction accident. We will fight to obtain the best outcome in your construction accident case. If you are in need of an aggressive team of construction accident lawyers who will fight for you, call our injury law firm in NJ, at (732) 303-7857 or simply click on the “Contact Us” tab. An attorney will provide you with a no cost, no obligation consultation.
