It’s possible to sustain an injury at any workplace, but those who work on a construction site are unfortunately at higher risk of experiencing harm. There are an infinite number of ways to get hurt on a job site, but it’s important to remember that injured workers have rights. If you or a loved one is a construction worker, and has experienced a construction injury, you are not alone, and you are likely entitled to compensation. Our construction injury lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are ready and waiting to take on your construction injury case, and ensure that your path to justice is as smooth as possible.
If you or a family member sustained in injury in a construction accident, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation. Our team of experienced attorneys will evaluate your claim at no charge, and help you determine the next steps to take. Since 1959, the personal injury lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have fought for workers who have been injured or killed in construction accidents. The legal guide Best Lawyers has consistently named our attorneys among the Best Lawyers in America, and we have earned the highest possible client and peer ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. Our own J. Christopher Munley received the designation “Workers Compensation Lawyer of the Year,” 2016, in recognition of his work on behalf of injured claimants. Call (855) 866-5529 or fill out our contact form today for a free consultation. No fee unless we win.
See some of our recent settlements and verdicts, or read what past clients have to say about Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.
How a Construction Accident Lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
Construction workers have one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. An accident at a construction site can have lifelong consequences, and can put you out of work for months or even years. If are a construction worker and have been hurt on the job, you may have questions about who is responsible for your medical bills, how you will be compensated for the time you miss from work, and how to navigate the workers’ compensation claims process. We are here to help.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
According to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), more than 20% of worker fatalities that occurred in the 2019 calendar year happened in the construction industry. Many of the most violated safety regulations across all industries occurred in the construction industry, this includes violations of eye and face protection regulation, scaffolding regulation, and more.
The unfortunate truth is that every year, too many construction workers are injured while at work. Some common types of construction accidents include:
- Falls
- Electrocutions
- Falling objects
- Hazardous chemical exposure
- Motor vehicle collision
- Malfunctioning equipment
- Crane accidents
- Workers Caught-in/between or compressed by equipment or objects, and struck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material
- Injuries caused by proper protective equipment failure
Construction accident injuries can result from a lack of appropriate training, poor maintenance, negligent operation, or another OSHA violation. What’s more, bad construction accidents can cause lasting damage to the victim, and in the most severe cases, even death. In fact, in 2006, there were 72 crane-related fatal occupational injuries. Injuries caused by falling objects can lead to a concussion; this can result in persisting symptoms of dizziness, forgetfulness, and more.
Everyone’s workplace should be safe, and being injured on a job site can be extremely traumatic. But we are here to remind you that you don’t have to go through it alone. Having and experienced construction accidents lawyer on your side can make all the difference.
Don’t wait: contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, a premiere construction accident law firm, today.
Common Types of Construction Injuries
All of the accidents described above can lead to a variety of injuries, varying in severity. Some of the most common injuries a construction worker may experience include:
- Burns
- Broken Bones
- Knee and ankle injury
- Back injuries
- Eye injuries, including temporary or permanent blindness
- Concussions
- Nervous system impairment (can occur as a result of being electrocuted)
Construction workers perform a dangerous job, and it’s important to remember that all injured construction workers have rights. If you or a loved one has experienced an injury like those listed above, or others, as a result of working a construction job, do not hesitate to contact an attorney. Constrction injury law firms, like Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, have the resources and expertise to defend you every step of the way, answering questions and supporting you so that you never feel you’re in this alone.
Liability in a Construction Accident Lawsuit
One of the most important questions in any personal injury case is, who is responsible? Who is at fault for the injury?
In many cases, when construction workers are injured, there are a variety of entities and individuals who could be found at fault. Below are some of the factors to consider when identifying fault in an accident involving construction workers:
- Where did the accident occur?
- Was the accident site safe and up to all necessary standards?
- Was the accident a result of equipment failure?
- Was the site properly secured?
- Was there a third party contractor involved?
All of these questions are helpful to consider when identifying fault in a construction injury case. If you or a loved one has sustained a construction accident injury and need help determining who is at fault, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, one of the nation’s premiere construction accident law firms. We are always here to answer your questions.
Workers Compensation Benefits in Construction Accidents
If you have experienced an accident on a construction site, you likely have a lot of questions. One of the most important of those questions may be, how am I going to pay for all this? Being injured is expensive; you have medical expenses, you may have to miss work, and there could be lifetime complications that require additional care.
Fortunately, there are systems in place so that the financial burden of a construction site accident does not fall on your shoulders. Perhaps the most important of these systems to understand is workers compensation. Workers compensation is a state program that provides compensation to any individual who has been injured at the workplace; this allows the injured party to receive benefits without needing to file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer.
Filing a workers compensation claim
If you are a construction worker and experienced an accident on a construction site, you are very likely eligible for workers compensation benefits. The first step to take in securing these benefits is to alert your employer that you have been injured. You have 120 days to do this, but you should not wait that long if possible. If you report within 21 days, you should receive benefits from the date of the injury. If you report between 21 and 120 days, you will receive benefits starting from the date of the report. Your employer must then report the incident to its insurance company, who will then accept or deny that your injury meets their criteria.
For a successful personal injury claim, the length of benefits varies depending on whether the worker falls under the status of Total Disability or Partial Disability. For those who fall into the category of Total Disability, benefits can be paid out for 104 weeks, at which point the employer has the right to demand a medical examination to determine the worker’s status. For those who fall into the category of Partial Disability, the benefit status can be maintained for a maximum of 500 weeks.
Dealing with a workers compensation claim denial
It’s possible for you to file a workers compensation and have it denied. This may be because the claims adjustor does not believe the injury occurred at work, or for some other reason is not covered. But this does not mean it’s the end of the road; in fact, you have every right to appeal this decision.
The exact process of filing an appeal after a denied claim varies from state to state, so it’s important to look into the workers compensation system in your area. In Pennsylvania, you must file an appeal within 20 days of receiving your denial. This goes to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, who will review your case and come to a decision.
If they, too, deny your claim, you can escalate your appeal to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court within 30 days.
The workers compensation system can be hugely overwhelming, but our Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys construction accident lawyers can help. All of our accident attorneys have years of experience fighting on behalf of clients in need, and if you work with us, you can rest assured we are always prioritizing your best interests. Don’t hesitate to contact us so you can begin your path to justice.
Third Party Claims Regarding Construction Accidents
Construction site accidents can be more complicated than typical workplace accidents because they often involve outside contractors and third parties. Workers’ compensation exists to cover medical costs and lost wages for an employee hurt on the job.
However, if the workplace accident was caused by an outside factor, you may be eligible to bring a third party claim. For instance, if a malfunctioning or defective piece of equipment causes serious harm, a construction accident lawyer at our firm may hold the manufacturer accountable.
Construction Site Accidents Involving Non-Construction Workers
Particularly if you live in a metropolitan area, you may be used to seeing buildings covered in scaffolding everywhere you go. Many of us pass by a construction site, or more than one, on our daily commute. The truth is, a construction site can be a dangerous place not just for the construction workers, but also for passersby.
Construction sites can contain a great number of safety hazards. Each year, many people sustain injuries from falling objects, such as construction debris. A violation of scaffolding law — which could involve breaking a load limit, failing to properly inspect equipment, and more — can also lead to injury.
You and your loved ones do not have to be construction workers in order to be eligible for benefits after a construction site accident. You may be able to file a personal injury suit in order to receive damages. Your personal injury attorney can review your case in order to determine who is at fault for your accident; it may be the construction company, but it could be another party entirely.
Damages for a falling debris accident
When you experuence an injury like those, you are eligible for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to those that are measurable, such as lost wages, medical bills, and more. Non-economic damages are slightly for abstract; these refer to damages for things like loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and more.
The exact amount your case is worth depends greatly on the details. Your attorney will review your case in great detail to ensure you’re seeking the maximum amount of compensation you deserve. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we work with medical and economic experts to thoroughly analyze monetary and non-monetary damages. Additionally, our attorneys will work to negotiate with the other side, ensuring you never accept an offer that’s unfairly low.
Construction Accident FAQ
Q: Why would I need to file a personal injury claim if I can get benefits through workers comp for my construction accident?
A: For most injured construction workers, the cleanest path to receiving compensation is via a workers comp claim. However, in some cases, filing a personal injury suit can be another path to consider. For instance, a construction worker who is injured by a third party may want to file a suit. A third party, in this context, refers to anyone outside of the injured party’s boss or coworkers. For instance, accident victims could be hurt by safety hazards on a job site that are the fault not of an employer, but of a manufacturer, an outside contractor, and more. Perhaps a piece of machinery breaks, due to being shoddily designed or manufactured, and falls and hits some construction workers. Those construction workers may be eligible to file a third party personal injury suit against the designer or manufacturer of that piece of equipment.
In some construction accident cases, it may even be possible to both submit for workers comp and file a third party claim. This can help ensure you receive maximu benefits from all responsible parties. If you think this may apply to your case, it might be something to discuss with your construction site accident lawyer.
Q: My construction site injury occurred a while ago. Can I still personal injury lawsuit?
A: Every state has a different statute of limitations, or a limit on how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In the state of Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years, so you have two years from the date of the injury to file your claim. It’s always best to file your claim as soon as you can, so that you can ensure better access to evidence that may help your case. If you have questions about filing your case, and whether you are still within the statute of limitations to do so, reach out to a construction accident attorney today.
Q: How much does it cost to work with a construction accident attorney?
A: Experiencing a construction accident impacts not just the injured party, but everyone in their life. The financial toll, the emotional burden, the physical suffering — all of this, together, creates a terribly stressful situation for both injured construction workers and their families.
If you have experienced a construction site accident, and are interested in taking legal action, you may be worried about adding the additional financial stress of hiring a construction injuries lawyer.
We understand that worry entirely, but here is the good news: the construction accidents lawyers at Munley work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay us a cent unless we win your case. If we win, our fee is typically taken as a percentage of the amount you were able to recover.
If you have questions about payment or any other aspect of your case, do not hesitate to contact us.
Q: If my construction injuries required me to stop working, can I file for unemployment and workers comp?
A: In the state of Pennsylvania, it is technically possible to file for unemployment while receiving workers’ compensation. However, both programs are funded by the state, which means that whatever benefits you collect through one program is offset by the other. Essentially, you cannot receive double benefits at the same time; if you are have been receiving unemployment and then your workers comp benefits kick in, those benefits would be reduced in accordance with your unemployment. So regardless, you receive the same total, rendering it mostly redundant to file for both simultaneously.
That being said, there are a few specific cases in which it may be helpful or possible to make use of both programs in some way. For example, if you have filed for workers comp but the process is taking a long time or you’re waiting for the results of an appeal, you could file for unemployment in the meantime. Then, once your workers comp benefits kick in, you would cease filing for unemployment.
If you have further questions about this, do not hesitate to reach out to the construction accident attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. Construction site injuries are all too common, and navigating the legal systems around them can be incredibly confusing. Our construction accident lawyers are here to fight on your behalf and answer any questions you may have.
Q: Can Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys attorneys protect me in court?
A: Yes, absolutely. Many law firms and attorneys who work in personal injury only have experience negotiating settlements, and will leave you in the lurch in the rare event you need to go to court. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, on the other hand, all of our attorneys have experience defending clients in the courtroom. If you need to go to trial regarding your construction accident, we will be there to protect you.
Speak to a Construction Accident Lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Every person has the right to expect that when they go to work, they will be in a safe environment, and that they will return home in the same state as when they left. But unforauntely, many people do experience accidents in the workplace, and of those people, a great deal are construction workers.
Here at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we know that being a construction worker is an incredible strenuous job, and that adding an injury on top of that can be overwhelming. But that’s why our construction accident lawyers are here to help. If you or a loved one was injured on a construction site, you have rights. You are entitled to seek justice and compensation for your suffering. Our experienced attorneys will handle your construction accident case from start to finish, fighting tirelessly on your behalf. What’s more, when you bring your construction accident case to Munley, you can be sure you’ll be treated with the respect and compassion you deserve.
For more than 60 years, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has been the go-to firm for injured workers and their families. The construction accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are recognized nationwide as the best at what they do, winning cases while keeping focus entirely on you. What’s more, we believe that cost should not stand in the way of justice for the construction accident victims. Therefore, we do not collect a fee for our services unless we recover benefits for you. As our client, you will not have to pay anything upfront. We have offices in Philadelphia, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and many more locations.
Contact Us
If you suffered a serious injury while working at a construction site, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today. We will evaluate your claim and investigate all possible sources of compensation. Furthermore, we do not charge a fee unless we recover benefits for you. For a complimentary appointment, call us at (855) 866-5529, or fill out our email form.
