If you work at a construction site in New Jersey, you need to be cautious. Even if you follow workplace safety protocols and procedures, there is still a chance that you will suffer an on-the-job injury due to no fault of your own. For those who get hurt at a construction site as a result of their employer’s negligence, it pays to partner with a New Jersey personal injury lawyer.
Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer has plenty of experience with construction accident claims. If you want to file a work injury lawsuit against your employer, our New Jersey construction accident lawyer can help you out. To get started, please reach out to us.
Why Construction Accidents Happen in New Jersey
You work hard for your construction company. Meanwhile, you expect your employer to work hard for you. Yet, there can be times when a construction company is negligent and puts its workers in danger.
Construction accidents happen every day. In many instances, these accidents are preventable. Common reasons why accidents occur at construction sites include:
Lack of Fall Protection
Employers must provide construction workers with guardrail systems and other forms of fall protection. If a construction company does not offer fall protection, its workers are susceptible to falls from heights. A fall from a high distance can cause a worker to suffer a serious injury or die.
Tripping Hazards
In 2021, just over one out of every three workplace fatalities in the construction industry was linked to a slip, trip, or fall, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Construction companies must keep work paths clear of debris and other hazards. If these companies choose not to do so, their workers can slip, trip, or fall and get hurt.
Unsafe Work Equipment
Construction workers may need to use forklifts and other heavy machinery to complete various tasks. It is an employer’s responsibility to maintain all work equipment. If workers are forced to use unsafe equipment, they can suffer injuries or fatalities.
Insufficient Training
A construction company can provide training to give its workers the best chance to succeed. However, workers may lack sufficient training, which can lead to mistakes. If a construction worker is asked to complete a job but does not have the proper training to do so, they can inadvertently hurt themselves or others.
Following a construction site accident that leaves you with an injury, Demand Rand. Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer can put you in touch with a New Jersey construction accident attorney who can help you figure out how much your case is worth. For more information, please get in touch with us.
What to Do if You Get Hurt at a New Jersey Construction Site
Do not try to “tough out” a burn injury or any other construction accident injury. As soon as you get hurt, notify your employer. From here, you can submit a workers’ compensation claim.
Your employer has up to 21 days from the time you notify them about your on-the-job injury to complete a First Report of Injury form with the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation. There can be instances when an employer intentionally or unknowingly does not file this form. At these times, a construction accident attorney in New Jersey can help.
A construction accident lawyer in New Jersey understands the Garden State’s workers’ compensation laws. They can teach you about these laws and help you determine if your legal rights were violated. Your attorney can also help you submit a construction accident claim in accordance with New Jersey’s statute of limitations.
New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyer Near Me (215) 985-2424
When to File a Construction Accident Lawsuit
In New Jersey, there is generally a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. If you get hurt due to someone else’s negligence at a construction site or anywhere else, you have a maximum of two years from the date of your injury to sue. For those who wait beyond two years, they are solely responsible for any costs associated with their injury.
If you are weighing the pros and cons of submitting a personal injury lawsuit, consult with an attorney. This gives you the opportunity to share your legal questions with an attorney. Plus, your lawyer can answer frequently asked questions and many others about construction accident lawsuits.
Ultimately, you deserve compensation if you suffered a construction site injury due to your employer’s negligence. If your employer is unwilling to pay the costs to ensure that you can fully rebound from your injury, you can sue. At this point, your lawyer will help you submit your claim and seek the most compensation possible.
How Much Money You Can Get in a Construction Accident Lawsuit
You can ask for any amount of money in a construction accident lawsuit. Typically, your lawyer will work with you to calculate your losses. They will encourage you to ask for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic and non-economic damages can total tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in a construction accident case. You can ask for economic compensation for quantifiable losses and non-economic damages for subjective losses. Some of the damages that you can receive in your lawsuit include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
If you suffer a spinal cord injury or any other injury that will affect you long into the future, your lawyer will account for this as you calculate your damages. In addition, your lawyer will help you prepare an argument that explains to a judge or jury why you deserve the maximum amount of damages. Your attorney can also help you negotiate a settlement.
How a Construction Accident Lawsuit Gets Settled
Before you go to trial, your attorney can negotiate with the defendant in your lawsuit. Your lawyer will notify you if the defendant submits a settlement offer. If they do, you have the option to approve, reject, or counter the proposal.
You should not accept a settlement proposal unless it lines up with your best interests. If you are unsure about what to do with a settlement offer, your attorney can evaluate the proposal with you. They can share their thoughts on the offer and help you make an informed decision about it.
Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer is here to help you settle your construction accident claim. Our attorney is available to review your case and help you determine the best course of action. Please contact us today to request a free case evaluation.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
