Construction Accidents
New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyers
The construction industry is widely viewed as one of the most dangerous, with OSHA reporting that 19.6 percent of all workers killed on the job in 2012 worked in construction. Unfortunately, in addition to the 775 construction workers who lost their lives, thousands more sustained serious and life-changing injuries.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a construction accident, you may have a right to compensation or benefits for your injuries. There are a number of different ways to take legal action when a construction accident happens and an experienced New Jersey accident lawyer at Gebhardt & Kiefer, P.C. can help.
Construction sites are inherently dangerous areas. From accidents involving heavy machinery to life-threatening construction falls, bystanders and workers alike remain at serious risk. If you are an unsuspecting passerby injured by a construction mishap, you may file a liability lawsuit against the company or person at fault. If you are a construction worker hurt while on-the-job, you are entitled to workers' compensation benefits, which include fully paid medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
There are perhaps innumerable ways in which a person can suffer injury at a construction site. Scaffolding accidents are the most common, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all construction accidents. Other common causes include: falls, electrocution, and improperly braced trenches.
Common construction site accidents and injuries include:
- Crane accidents
- Communication errors
- Defective machinery injuries
- Defective or unsafe tools
- Electrical accidents and exposed power lines
- Falling object injuries
- Falls from ladders and scaffolds
- Falls from roofs
- Fires and explosions
- Heavy machinery injuries
- Site excavation and trench collapses
- Violations of OSHA regulations
New Jersey construction site accident injuries can include burns, vision loss, fractured limbs, loss of limbs, back and spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even death.
When attempting to determine the liability for injuries sustained in a construction accident, it helps to understand each party's responsibilities at the site. In the case that an accident occurs, any of the following parties may bear total or partial responsibility:
- Site Owners
- General and Sub-Contractors
- Architects and Engineers
- Manufacturers of Construction Machinery or Equipment
- Insurers
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) compliance officer
When Workers' Compensation is Not Enough...
In many cases, workers' compensation benefits cannot cover all of your injury expenses. If a sub-contractor, property owner, architect, engineer, or someone other than your primary employer causes your injuries, you can sue the parties responsible. In this case, you are not limited by New Jersey’s workers' compensation law.
When an innocent bystander suffers injury as the result of a construction accident, he or she may also be eligible to recover damages by filing a personal injury claim. Whether you're a construction worker or merely a bystander who has suffered injury, you may be eligible to receive economic recovery for your losses.
Know Your Rights
If you have suffered injury as the result of a construction accident, you are responsible for proving your case against the liable party(s). This usually requires the help of a qualified attorney. It is always wise to seek competent legal counsel after an accident to ensure that your rights are protected, especially since a statute of limitations applies to all workers' compensation and personal injury cases.
Contact Us Today
The insurance company wants to settle your case as soon as possible – and for as little money as possible. Our personal injury attorneys know how to protect you from the insurance companies and to present your claim in the best way possible to ensure your rights are protected and that you get the maximum compensation available. Call 908-735-5161 to schedule a free consultation, or fill out the contact form on this site. Our firm serves clients throughout central and northwestern New Jersey.