Pennsylvania Construction Accident Lawyer

Have you been injured in a construction accident in the state of Pennsylvania? Our law firm Edelstein Martin & Nelson may be able to help you obtain compensation. Call us now for your free case evaluation.

If you work in or around construction zones, you likely know that there can be hazards around every corner. Especially for those who work in these areas on a daily basis, there is always a chance that you could become involved in a life-altering accident. Every Pennsylvania workplace is supposed to be kept safe from various dangers. Since there are large heights and many types of equipment used in the construction workplace, an accident could occur in the blink of an eye.

Every year, it is estimated that there are around 2.8 million work-related injuries in the United States, and Pennsylvania is no different than anywhere else in our country in that regard. Construction accidents are some of the more common types of accidents that lead to injuries within our state every year. If you are a construction worker who has been hurt in an accident in a construction zone, speaking with a Pennsylvania construction accident lawyer at Edelstein Martin & Nelson is in your best interests moving forward.

Common Construction Accidents in Pennsylvania

Due to the nature of certain jobs, some construction accidents are more common than others. Along with this, some construction accidents are more severe than others. However, no matter how you want to look at it, construction accidents are always preventable when certain actions are taken. That means that the majority of these types of accidents were caused by someone who can be held liable.

Here are some of the most common construction-related accidents that happen every year in Pennsylvania:

Falls From Heights: When you think of the construction workplace, you typically think of tall buildings and large heights. Some of the tallest places in construction zones include scaffolding, ladders, and rooftops. Falling from a height accounts for approximately 35% of construction-related injuries, making these some of the most common accidents in these zones.

Falling Construction Debris: When construction tools or debris fall from a large height, they are capable of causing extensive harm. Construction workers are supposed to be provided with helmets so that these severe accidents with life-threatening injuries can be prevented.

Electrocutions: There are many opportunities for electrocutions to occur in the workplace, forever altering a worker’s life. These include exposed wires, electrical systems that have not been completed, and more.

Explosions/Burns: An exposed wire or a gas leak can cause an explosion that leads to severe and tragic burns for construction workers on site and even bystanders in the surrounding area.

Slips and Falls: There are often tools or debris lying around a construction site. Even though these pieces of debris are supposed to be removed, this does not always happen – which can quickly cause a worker to trip and fall. A spill can also cause someone to slip and fall.

Machinery Accidents: Construction workers operate large pieces of machinery every day, which can lead to an accident when a mistake is made.

Trench Collapse: Though trenches are a necessity in construction zones, they are also incredibly dangerous areas. Because trenches can be unstable or collapse, this can lead to extensive harm. In some cases, a trench collapse can even take the lives of those involved.

Getting Struck by a Vehicle: Construction zones are commonly seen on highways. Unfortunately, even though drivers are supposed to pay close attention to the roads in these areas, they do not always do so. This means that a construction worker could be struck by a vehicle at high speeds, leading to catastrophic injuries.

Overexertion: Because construction workers sometimes work long hours in the sun, they could easily suffer from overexertion injuries. This could include fainting, dehydration from lack of water, and even stroke in the worst cases.

As you can see, there are many types of accidents that can happen in the construction workplace in just seconds. However, there are four categories of accidents in the construction industry that are most common, known as the ‘fatal four’ of construction accidents. These include falling, electrocution, getting caught in-between equipment, and being struck by an object. If you have been hurt in a construction-related accident, it is crucial that you seek legal help as soon as possible.

Injuries Most Common in Pennsylvania Construction Accidents

There are a myriad of injuries that can stem from construction accidents in Pennsylvania. Though some of these injuries are minor in nature, others can be incredibly severe and affect you for the rest of your life. Some of the most common injuries that stem from construction site accidents include the following:

Broken bones
Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
Burns
Illnesses caused by exposure to chemicals
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Eye-related injuries

Sometimes, these injuries take a long period of time to show up before they wreak havoc on your everyday life. This is one reason why it’s important to be evaluated by a physician as soon as possible after your accident.

If you have been hurt in a construction accident due to someone else’s negligence, you have options. Construction companies and employers are supposed to do anything they can to keep workers safe from harm. Injured workers have many protections under Pennsylvania law when it comes to workplace accidents. If you have been hurt in a construction accident, you should speak with a Pennsylvania construction accident attorney that you can rely on every step of the way during this daunting process.

Who is Liable for a Construction Accident in Pennsylvania?

Upon being injured in a construction accident, you may believe that your employer is the party responsible for your injuries. However, as many individuals find in a construction accident injury claim, there are many parties who could be liable for your case. Construction accident claims are known for being highly complex due to the fact that there are various parties who could share liability in these claims. These include any of the following parties:

A property owner of a construction zone
Construction companies or contractors
Engineers or architects
Manufacturers of equipment used on the job

When you trace negligence back to a party who is not your employer, you have something that is known as ‘third party liability.’ You must be able to show that these other parties owed you a duty of care to hold them liable for your accident and the injuries that resulted.

Understanding Breach of Duty in Construction Cases

The duty of care refers to the level of responsibility that parties involved in construction projects have when it comes to keeping you safe. For instance, workers are supposed to obey all safety standards under Pennsylvania law and abide by building regulations. When they fail to do so and an accident occurs, this means that they have breached their duty of care. If you can show that another party breached this duty and it led to your accident and injuries, you can successfully bring a construction accident case against all potentially liable parties.

Understanding Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Benefits

If you have been injured in a construction work accident, you have many rights under Pennsylvania law. One of these rights is to bring what is known as a Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claim for a special set of benefits. After you give notice to your employer of your injuries in the appropriate amount of time, you can move forward with a claim for workers’ comp benefits, which are calculated based on the hours that you worked each week before your accident. In exchange for these benefits, you give up your right to file a lawsuit against your employer. This is a major decision that you need to make, which is why speaking with a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson is one of the most important decisions that you can make.

Workers’ Comp or Construction Accident Lawsuit?

One of the biggest questions that you may have after a construction accident is this: Should I bring a workers’ comp claim or move forward with a lawsuit? It is important to remember that, if you decide to bring a workers’ comp claim, this only bars you from bringing a lawsuit against your employer after a construction accident. If there are other parties who are liable for your accident, you still have the right to file a lawsuit against those third parties with the help of your attorney.

Depending on the severity of your injuries sustained in an accident, it is an intelligent decision to bring both a workers’ comp claim as well as a lawsuit against at-fault parties. Your injuries might be so severe that they could impact your life for months or even years to come. Your recovery is important, which is why you should never delay when it comes to bringing your claim against all at-fault parties.

Typical Damages in Construction Accident Cases

You may be able to receive a multitude of damages after a Pennsylvania construction site accident. The compensation is intended by law to help you recover financially after going through something so challenging through no fault of your own. After your accident occurs, an attorney will start working with you immediately to help you recover compensation for a wide array of damages. These include some of the following:

Medical bills, such as hospitalizations and surgeries
Physical therapy bills
Physical disability and impairment damages in claims involving severe injuries
Lost wages and future loss of income
Emotional distress damages
Lowered quality of life when you aren’t able to engage in the same activities
Pain and suffering

Some of these damages are economic damages, while others are non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to money that is meant to make you whole financially and take care of all of your monetary losses caused by an accident. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are intended to take care of any incalculable losses caused by your accident, sometimes those that are emotional in nature. These damages can help you get back on your feet during this difficult time in your life.

What Steps to Take After a Pennsylvania Construction Accident

The steps that you take after a Pennsylvania construction site accident can be incredibly helpful when it comes to bringing a claim later on down the road. Regardless of your situation, you should always keep these steps in mind:

Seek immediate medical attention, regardless of how serious your injuries may seem.
Notify your employer that the accident took place. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will investigate and make sure that steps are taken to prevent these accidents in the future.
Gather information related to your accident that could help you in the future such as contact information for witnesses and any medical records you sustain.
Speak with an attorney as soon as possible. A Pennsylvania accident lawyerwho has handled construction claims in the past can be essential when it comes to receiving the best results in your case.

Why You Need a Pennsylvania Construction Accident Lawyer

Initially, many individuals who have been hurt in a construction accident do not know how complex a construction site accident claim can become. However, you may quickly discover that it can be overwhelming to handle a lawsuit or workers’ comp claim by yourself, especially when you are working to recover from your injuries.

Having an attorney on your side means that you can leave the legal stress up to them. Here is a list of things they will do for you once you become their client:

Investigate your accident
Settle your claim to avoid an expensive trial
Expedite the process for you to get the fastest outcome
File all of the appropriate paperwork on time
Help you to file your workers’ comp claim
Represent you in court if your claim makes it to trial
Answer any Pennsylvania legal questions that you have
File a disability claim if necessary

Bringing a construction accident injury claim can be a complex and stressful matter. This is why you never want to handle a claim on your own, especially if you are unfamiliar with Pennsylvania accident laws. Seeking legal help can put you in the best place physically, emotionally, and financially.

Statute of Limitations for Construction Accident Claims in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, there is a time limit that you must comply with if you want to bring a successful construction accident claim. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you do not successfully meet this deadline, you will not be allowed to bring your claim. For this reason, it is crucial that you immediately get the ball rolling on your claim today so that you gain the compensation that you deserve after an accident.

Losing a Loved One in a Fatal Construction Accident

In some of the most catastrophic accidents that happen at construction sites, there is an unfortunate and devastating chance that a loved one could be taken from you. Fatal construction accidents happen all too frequently in Pennsylvania. In fact, in just one recent year, it is estimated that 30 lives were lost due to construction accidents. Even worse, this has become an upward trend. Many family members wonder where they can turn when they have lost a loved one in an unexpected workplace accident.

When a loved one dies on the job, certain family members have the right to bring a successful wrongful death claim. These include spouses, children, and even parents. There are several types of compensation that you might be eligible for on behalf of your loved one, which include the following:

Pain and suffering caused by painful injuries and mental anguish
Funeral and burial-related expenses
Lost income and future loss of income caused by lack of work
Lack of companionship and consortium
Medical bills a loved one sustained before their passing

If you have suddenly lost a loved one in a Pennsylvania construction accident, it is important to know your rights and options. As you grieve the loss of your loved one, you should not have to worry about the steps that you will take during this daunting legal process. This is why speaking with a Pennsylvania wrongful death attorney is in your best interests. Our attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson are here for you and your family along the way.

Contact a Pennsylvania Construction Accident Lawyer Today

You likely feel strongly about your legal claim after a construction site accident, especially if you have sustained life-altering injuries. As you focus on your physical recovery after an accident, let your attorney worry about the legal side of things.

Our attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson have handled various types of personal injury claims for injured victims for many years in the state of Pennsylvania. We are dedicated to helping you achieve the best outcome in your claim, which includes receiving compensation for an array of damages that can help you get back on your feet. From start to finish, we will stand by your side as you navigate the complex legal system. Please contact a construction accident attorney in Pennsylvania at (888) 208-1810 for more information on how we can help you.