With construction being one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the US, sustaining a potentially life-changing injury is a reality – and if this happens, you need Munley Law’s Philadelphia construction accident lawyer on your side. With almost 70 years of experience, our firm knows how to protect the rights of injured construction workers and to fight to ensure they’re fairly compensated for their losses.
Our lawyers have recovered more than $1 billion in damages thanks to our dedication to justice, thorough investigations, and strong cases. Recognizing our skills at the negotiating table and in the courtroom, numerous legal organizations and publications, such as Best Law Firms, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Irish Legal 100, Martindale-Hubbell, and Lawdragon, have honored us with prestigious accolades and awards. In addition, we’ve received many five-star Google Reviews from satisfied clients.
If you or a loved one has been injured on a construction site, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia construction accident attorney at Munley Law about your options. Together, we can make sure you recover the financial compensation necessary to move forward.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Where Does Workers’ Compensation Fit In?
Working on a construction site, you’ve likely heard about workers’ compensation. This mandatory, no-fault insurance system generally provides the only remedy against an employer or coworker when you are injured in the course and scope of your employment. In the Keystone State, workers’ compensation is governed by the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. The Act generally requires employers to maintain workers’ compensation insurance and defines the benefits available to injured workers and how injured workers can access them.
When Does Workers’ Compensation Apply?
You may have heard of a coworker seeking workers’ compensation benefits after an injury caused by a specific incident at work. However, that’s not the only type of injury workers’ compensation will cover. You can also seek benefits when repetitive daily activities cause an injury. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by certain everyday work activities. Furthermore, workers’ compensation may apply if a preexisting condition is aggravated by work activities.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
Typically, workers’ compensation provides for lost wages and medical benefits to compensate employees suffering from work-related injuries or diseases. Workers’ compensation also provides death benefits to the dependents of workers who die as a result of a work-related injury or disease.
The Keystone State sees a high number of accidents in the workplace every year, with most of these occurring in Philadelphia. According to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Safety Annual Report, 136 workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in the construction industry in Philadelphia County in 2024. The five most common workplace illnesses and injuries in Pennsylvania that year include:
- Sprains and strains (58,295)
- Contusion, crushing, and bruises (36,684)
- Other (27,487)
- Cuts, lacerations, and punctures (26,546)
- Fractures (5,839)
If you sustain an injury at work or develop an illness due to the nature of your work or working conditions, you do not need to face it alone. Contact Munley Law and let us assess your case for free.
What Should You Do if You’re Injured at Work in Philadelphia, PA?
- Notify your supervisor or other designated person immediately. You should do this even if you don’t anticipate taking time off from work. You can give notice in writing or verbally, though it’s always better to have proof of notice. Also, make sure you complete any incident form required by your employer’s workers’ compensation policy.
- Get medical treatment. Be sure to ask your employer about approved care providers. If your employer doesn’t have a prepared list, make sure you inform your chosen care provider that the injury is work-related.
- Within 21 days, your employer or its insurance company should inform you whether they agree that you’ve suffered a workplace injury. If your claim is approved, double-check to make sure that your injury is described accurately and that your wages are correct. If your claim is denied, seek medical care from your own provider and meet with a lawyer.
Can I Still Sue My Employer if They Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Workers’ compensation can be a quick and easy way to get some of your immediate expenses after an injury taken care of. But many times, these benefits will not fully make you whole after an injury. An experienced Philadelphia construction accident attorney can help you explore other options, such as a lawsuit.
Generally speaking, you cannot sue your employer or a coworker for a workplace accident at a construction site if your employer has workers’ compensation insurance. However, there are exceptions. For example, if your employer does not have an insurance policy, or if you were harmed by an intentional act of your employer or coworker, you can sue.
Furthermore, it is possible that your injury was not caused by (or at least only by) your employer. A qualified Philadelphia construction accident attorney will help you explore whether any third party may potentially be liable for your damages; workers’ compensation does not prevent you from holding any additional parties liable. For example:
- A general contractor is generally responsible for making a construction site safe. If the general contractor fails to comply with OSHA regulations or follow certain other safety requirements, that person may be liable.
- A project engineer or architect may also act negligently, leading to injuries on the construction site.
- If a subcontractor acts negligently on the job site and that causes injury to others working on the site, you may have a claim.
- The property owner may also have acted negligently. For example, property owners generally have a duty to protect against known or obvious harm. A lawyer can help you hold careless owners responsible.
- If your injury is caused by a defective product or tool, you typically can sue the manufacturer of the product.
What is Needed to Prove a Claim Against a Third Party?
To recover compensation from a third party, like an architect or general contractor, you must first prove that those parties (the defendants) were negligent. You’ve likely heard of “negligence” lawsuits. Negligence is a legal concept with a specific meaning in the law.
There are four elements of a negligence claim: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Duty
To prove the duty element, a construction accident attorney must prove that the person who did wrong (for example, a subcontractor) owed you a duty not to cause harm. Whether a duty exists is a complex legal question. The lawyers at Munley Law are happy to discuss your case with you free of charge to determine whether a duty exists. But generally, under the law, a person owes you a duty not to cause foreseeable harm by their actions. That means subcontractors, for example, have a duty to perform their work in a way that does not harm others on the construction site.
Breach
The breach element requires proof that the wrongdoer (the defendant) failed to act according to a specific standard of care. Generally, all people must act as a reasonable person would in a given situation. If an architect designed a building without following accepted industry standards, leading to your injuries, that architect might have breached their duty of care.
Causation
Causation is simple in theory, but often a difficult factual and legal issue. To successfully bring a negligence claim, there must be proof that the breach of duty, what the wrongdoer did, caused your injuries. This can sometimes be difficult when it comes to complex causes of construction accidents and medical injuries. That’s where expert witnesses come in.
Damages
The final element of a construction accident claim is damages. You must prove that the breach of a duty caused you financial or emotional damages. Said differently, this is where we must prove the amount of money involved.
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”
Marion Munley
Why Do You Need a Lawyer for a Construction Accident?
The right construction accident lawyer can be the difference between recovering compensation and being forced to pay for the damages caused by an injury at a construction site. No matter what happened, construction accidents have consequences for victims, and you and your loved ones should be able to focus on getting medical care and addressing any damage caused by the accident. Your lawyer can take some pressure off you and your family by holding the wrongdoer accountable, whether they’re the general contractor, a subcontractor, or the manufacturer of a tool or product used on the construction site, and getting you the financial relief you need to move forward.
With Munley Law, you don’t need to go it alone. Some of the ways a Philadelphia construction accident lawyer can help you include:
Handling a Complex Case with Ease
Construction sites are complex ecosystems made up of many different players. There are numerous subcontractors working on the same job site, all managed by a general contractor. Throw in the property owner, designer, or architect, and the manufacturers of the many tools and products used on-site, who may not be physically present all the time but who have duties all the same, and you’ve got a truly complex web of a workplace. Many of these players are employed by different businesses. An attorney can make sure that you maximize your recovery by pursuing the workers’ compensation benefits to which you are entitled while exploring your options against third parties that caused or contributed to your construction site injury.
It’s hard to know which of these parties is financially responsible for the injuries you suffered. In fact, multiple parties could be held responsible. And you don’t want your actions against one party to affect your ability to recover against another. A lawyer can help you get to the bottom of it.
Helping Resolve a Dispute Before it Really Starts
Of course, lawyers are familiar with fighting cases in court. But sometimes, the best option is to resolve a dispute well before a formal lawsuit. Sometimes, lawyers can do this just by being involved in negotiations with your employer or its insurance company. After all, people can be more forthcoming if they know that you are armed and ready to take a dispute to court.
Other times, we can help by writing a formal demand letter, for example, to a third party who acted negligently. This is essentially a letter explaining your claim, the reasoning behind your entitlement to money, and the underlying law. Sometimes, all it takes is someone who can get through to the lawyers representing the at-fault party. These letters sometimes resolve cases long before a formal court case could.
Investigating Your Claim and Gathering Evidence
Due to the complexity of construction accidents, there can be a lot of groundwork to cover to investigate and prove your claim.
A premises liability law firm like Munley Law can identify and interview witnesses. Many people could have seen the accident or the events leading to it. These witnesses can have invaluable information. We can figure out who was responsible for making sure the construction site was safe. Additionally, we’ll find witnesses with information, interview them, and preserve their testimony for use in court.
We’ll also:
- Gather documents and other physical evidence
- Take pictures of the construction site, any machinery or products involved, and any documents created related to your workplace injuries and the injuries of others
- Track down surveillance video and other camera footage of the accident
We know where to look, and we have experience tracking this evidence down for our clients.
Furthermore, sometimes you will need an expert witness. This could be a medical expert who can testify to your injuries and how they will impact your life. It could also be an expert tasked with calculating the different ways the construction site accident has cost you money. Experts can also explain the various complexities of the construction industry, including the relevant regulations governing a construction site. These witnesses can be the difference between winning and losing a case. Munley Law has worked with experts across Pennsylvania and the country to support our clients. We know how to do it effectively and efficiently.
Estimating How Much Money You Could Recover and Helping You Weigh Your Options
After a construction accident, you and your family will undoubtedly have questions, and it’s completely common not to know whether or how to seek compensation from the at-fault party. A lawyer can help. At Munley Law, we can help you estimate how much money you could recover and explain the next steps during a free initial consultation. We’re here to give you your options in easy-to-understand language.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Personal Injury Case?
With so many personal injury law firms to choose from, how do you know who you can trust to fight for you and your family? Selecting a Philadelphia construction accident attorney is an important decision. At Munley Law, we set ourselves apart, and we’re ready to prove it to you.
A few good reasons to let us fight for you and your family include:
- Experience: When it comes to a construction accident claim, experience counts. Each of our partners has decades of experience representing individuals and families who have suffered serious injuries or been denied benefits following an injury. As a family firm with a proven track record dating back to 1959, we often work closely together on your cases to achieve the best possible results.
- Major Client Victories: We’ve secured major client victories over almost 70 years. Among them are a $1.5 million settlement for the estate of a construction worker who was electrocuted on site and a $1 million settlement for the family of a construction worker who was crushed by a construction vehicle.
- Industry Leaders: The board-certified Philadelphia construction accident lawyers at Munley Law are among the highest-rated and most respected legal advocates in the country. All of our credentials and accolades, including those from Best Lawyers in America, Best Law Firms, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the National Trial Lawyers, Lawdragon, Martindale-Hubbell, and others, as well as our board certifications from the National Board of Trial Advocacy and our attorneys’ membership of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the American Association for Justice, reflect the extremely high standards we’ve set for ourselves, and the recognition of our clients and peers.
- Resources: Successfully recovering money after a Philadelphia construction accident is challenging. At Munley Law, we have access to resources that are typically available only to big law firms. We work closely with our network of engineers, investigators, experts, and in-house medical personnel to build your case. What’s more, unlike at other law firms, you aren’t on the hook for paying these professionals out of pocket.
- Our No-Fee Promise: We do not collect a fee unless we win your case. If we do not produce results for you, you owe us nothing. Also, at no point will you ever pay anything out of pocket; even when we win, our fee comes out of the money we recover for you.
When you choose Munley Law, you gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re choosing the best Philadelphia construction accident lawyers to handle your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia Construction Accident Cases
What Are the Most Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Philadelphia?
The most common causes of construction accidents in Philadelphia include falls from heights, falling tools or materials, electrocutions, machine accidents, trench collapses, and unsafe scaffolding. Many of these incidents happen because of poor safety practices, OSHA violations, inadequate training, or defective equipment. A lawyer can investigate the cause of the accident and identify who may be legally responsible.
Can I Receive Compensation If I Was Injured on a Construction Site But Someone Other Than My Employer Caused The Accident?
Yes, you can receive compensation if you were injured on a construction site, but someone other than your employer caused the accident. While workers’ compensation may cover your medical bills and lost wages, you may also have a third-party claim if someone other than your employer contributed to the accident. This could include a general contractor, subcontractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or another negligent party. A third-party claim may allow you to recover damages that workers’ compensation does not cover, such as pain and suffering.
What Benefits Can I Receive Through Workers’ Compensation After a Construction Accident?
Through workers’ compensation, you can receive benefits such as coverage for necessary medical treatment, a portion of your lost wages, and disability benefits if your injuries prevent you from returning to work. In fatal construction accident cases, surviving family members may also be entitled to death benefits. These benefits are important, but they may not fully cover all the losses you suffer after a serious injury.
How Long Do I Have to File a Construction Accident Claim in Pennsylvania?
The amount of time you have to file a construction accident claim in Pennsylvania depends on the type of claim you file. Workers’ compensation claims and third-party personal injury lawsuits follow different timelines, so it’s in your best interest to act quickly after the accident. Speak with a Philadelphia construction accident lawyer as soon as possible for tailored advice regarding your case.
Why Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Construction Site Injury In Philadelphia, PA?
You should hire a lawyer after a construction site injury in Philadelphia, PA, as construction accident cases are often more complicated than standard injury claims. This is due to the potential involvement of multiple companies, contractors, insurers, and safety regulations. An experienced Philadelphia construction accident lawyer at Munley Law can investigate the accident, gather evidence, deal with insurance companies, pursue every available source of compensation, and make a major difference to the outcome of your case.
Contact Munley Law’s Philadelphia Construction Accident Lawyers
Contact our attorneys by phone or use the form or chat feature available on our website. Contacting us is free and doesn’t obligate you to do anything. Remember, the first step to getting you the recovery you deserve is to speak with one of your Philadelphia construction accident lawyers, who are ready to get results for you.
Personal Injury Claims We Handle in Philadelphia, PA:
- Philadelphia truck accident lawyer
- Philadelphia car accident attorney
- Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorney
- Philadelphia rideshare accident lawyer
- Philadelphia Uber accident lawyer
- Philadelphia Lyft accident lawyer
- Philadelphia bicycle accident lawyer
- Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorney
- Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyer
- Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney
- Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyer
- Philadelphia premises liability attorney
- Philadelphia product liability attorney
- Philadelphia slip and fall lawyer
- Philadelphia wrongful death lawyer
- Philadelphia birth injury lawyer
- Philadelphia brain injury lawyer
- Philadelphia catastrophic injury lawyer
- Philadelphia bus accident lawyer
- Philadelphia construction accident attorney
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1617 John F Kennedy Blvd
Suite 1690,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 515-7747
