As Wilkes-Barre’s Riverfront Booms, Construction Workers Face Real Risks

Wilkes-Barre’s riverfront is changing fast. New construction projects promise growth and opportunity for Luzerne County, but they also place workers on some of the most hazardous job sites in the country. Considering that construction accounts for nearly one in five fatal workplace injuries nationwide, it’s important for workers in the industry to know the rights they’re entitled to to ensure their safety.

The state recorded 165,985 reportable workplace injuries and illnesses in 2024, including 1,960 in Luzerne County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. In the construction industry alone, 7,973 injuries were reported.

When you’re injured on the job, you deserve benefits without a fight. The Pennsylvania‑certified workers’ comp attorneys at Munley Law’s Wilkes‑Barre office handle claims across healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and industrial sectors, especially when insurers delay or deny benefits.

Construction Work in Wilkes-Barre is Especially Risky

Construction sites expose workers to hazards like:

• Falls from heights, such as from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs
• Being struck by tools, equipment, or materials
• Caught‑in/between machinery incidents
• Overexertion injuries from heavy lifting or repetitive tasks

Under Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act, most employers must carry workers’ comp insurance that covers medical care and wage‑loss benefits for employees injured on the job, whether the injury was the employer’s fault or not.

That means if you’re hurt while working on a Wilkes‑Barre construction project, you have a legal right to file a workers’ comp claim for benefits. The problem is that insurance companies, unfortunately, can be counted on to resist paying what injured workers are owed.

What To Do After a Jobsite Injury in Wilkes‑Barre

If you’re injured while working in Wilkes‑Barre, take these critical steps:

• Get medical treatment immediately. Prompt care not only protects your health but also documents your injury. Always seek medical care right away, even for minor back strains.
• Report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Pennsylvania generally requires notice within 21 days (and no later than 120 days) for compensation claims to be allowed. Waiting up to the 120-day deadline can jeopardize your case.
• Preserve evidence. Photos, witness names, and reports help if your claim is denied.
• Talk to a qualified comp lawyer. Your attorney negotiates with the carrier, represents you at hearings or mediation, and protects your wage-loss checks from being cut off too soon.

Who May Be Responsible for Your Injury?

Most injured construction workers pursue benefits through the workers’ comp system. However, additional responsible parties may exist depending on how the injury occurred:

• Third‑party defendants: If someone other than your employer contributed to your injury (e.g., equipment manufacturer, subcontractor), you may be able to pursue compensation beyond workers’ comp benefits.
• Property owners or site managers: Unsafe conditions they failed to correct may make them liable in a separate claim.
• Municipal or government entities: If poor design or inadequate warnings contribute to hazards, these entities can be named in a lawsuit.

While workers’ comp typically prevents suing your employer directly, third‑party claims can allow for recovery of pain and suffering, future wage loss, and other damages beyond medical expenses and wage benefits.

Local Insight Backed by National Experience

When you choose Munley Law’s Wilkes‑Barre attorneys, you’re selecting a firm that combines local insight with nationally recognized experience.

The team includes a Pennsylvania‑certified workers’ compensation specialist, Caroline Munley, a credential held by only a small percentage of attorneys in the state. In addition, J. Christopher Munley has been honored as Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation, and Marion Munley has received a Lawyer of the Year award for Personal Injury Litigation.

The firm has a proven record of securing significant results for injured workers, including a $12 million jury verdict for a client who was severely injured on the job when a forklift struck her. The forklift, retrofitted with a faulty alarm system, backed up without warning, leading to the amputation of her left leg. The forklift seller and its insurance carrier initially denied coverage, leaving the client to face enormous medical and financial challenges. Munley Law successfully held the responsible parties accountable, demonstrating the firm’s ability to tackle complex workplace injury cases and fight for full compensation.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

Workplace injuries can alter your life in an instant, but you still have rights under Pennsylvania law. If you or a loved one has been hurt on the job along the Wilkes‑Barre Riverfront Development Corridor or anywhere in Luzerne County, speaking with an experienced attorney can help you:

• Understand your workers’ compensation benefits
• Determine if a third‑party claim could apply
• Fight for the full compensation you deserve

Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.