If you work on a construction site, you are aware of the dangers by which you are surrounded daily. You know the importance of safety in reducing your risk of injury. However, if you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, you may need the help of a Burlington construction accident lawyer.
A Burlington personal injury lawyer at Rand Spear can help you if you have been injured in a construction accident. We can investigate the circumstances of your accident, review your injuries, and determine who was liable for your losses. Consult with our team today, and let us help you obtain compensation for your injuries.
Common Construction Hazards in Burlington
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the fatality rate is higher in the construction industry than in any other industry. The high rate of injuries and fatalities in construction is due to its many hazards. The following are common citations found on construction sites:
- Scaffolding: Construction workers’ risk of falling increases when scaffolding is not erected or used properly.
- Fall protection: Workers are more at risk of falling when their working surfaces are unstable or they fail to use fall protection equipment.
- Ladders: Ladders used in construction are common sources of injuries and fatalities resulting from falls.
- Stairways: Stairways at construction sites often lead to slips, trips, and falls.
- Trenching: Trench collapses can lead to serious injuries and deaths at construction sites.
- Cranes: If a crane’s load strikes someone or contacts an overhead powerline, serious injuries or death can occur.
- Hazard communication: Chemical burns, respiratory issues, fires, and explosions can result from the failure to recognize and share the risks associated with chemicals used on construction sites.
- Forklifts: Unsafe operating procedures can cause forklifts to overturn or collide with workers, leading to injuries or death.
- Head protection: Failure to wear head protection on construction sites can lead to serious head injuries.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): PPE, including eye, face, foot, hand, and head protection should be worn at all times on construction sites to prevent injuries.
There are many safety solutions to the numerous hazards found on construction sites. However, if someone acted negligently and caused a construction accident that left you injured, you may be able to file a legal claim for compensation for your injuries. Contact a construction accident attorney in Burlington as soon as possible to discuss the legal options you may have.
Workers’ Compensation Versus Personal Injury Construction Accident Claims
New Jersey is a no-fault state, meaning workers’ compensation benefits are available to employees who get injured on the job, regardless of who is at fault. In exchange for these benefits, however, the employee cannot sue their employer for damages unless the negligent act was intentional. As a result, in order to obtain compensation for damages like pain and suffering, you may need to file a personal injury claim against a third party.
Our experienced Burlington construction accident attorneys at Rand Spear the Accident Lawyer can investigate your accident to determine if a party other than your employer may have held some responsibility for your injuries. If another negligent party can be identified, we can help you file a legal claim. Third parties that are commonly responsible for construction accidents in New Jersey can include defective equipment manufacturers, negligent subcontractors or vendors, careless suppliers, or negligent coworkers.
Workers’ compensation can cover expenses for medical treatment, lost wages during your recovery period, and disability benefits. However, there are additional areas of recovery available in civil claims. Consult with your personal injury attorney in Burlington to discuss all of your potential avenues for financial recovery.
Burlington Construction Accident Lawyer Near Me (215) 985-2424
Common Burlington Construction Accident Injuries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 986 fatalities and 162,500 injuries suffered in the construction industry in 2021. Because of the wide range of accidents that can occur on construction sites, the resulting injuries can also vary greatly. Injuries often seen as a result of construction accidents include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Eye and ear injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
If you have injuries resulting from a construction accident caused by someone’s negligence, a construction accident lawyer in Burlington can help you obtain compensation. Our personal injury attorneys at Rand Spear can investigate your accident and review your injuries to discuss your potential for receiving damages for your losses. Contact us as soon as possible to review your options for filing a construction accident claim.
Damages You Can Recover After a Construction Accident in Burlington
You may be eligible to recover damages for your construction accident injuries. The damages recoverable in construction accident claims include compensatory and punitive damages. These damages are discussed in further detail below.
Compensatory Damages
These damages include economic and non-economic compensation for actual losses you have suffered. Economic damages have monetary value and can include your medical expenses, lost wages, and personal property damage. Non-economic damages do not have monetary value and can include your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
While rare, punitive damages may be awarded to you if you can clearly prove that the person responsible for your injuries acted maliciously or with intent. In New Jersey, punitive damages are limited to the greater of $350,000 or five times the amount of your compensatory damages. These damages are only to be awarded in exceptional cases to punish the negligent party for their egregious behavior.
Get Help from a Burlington Construction Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a construction accident, you are likely faced with mounting medical bills and injuries. You may also be unable to work. If this is the case, you need the help of a construction accident lawyer in Burlington.
Our experienced construction accident attorneys at Rand Spear the Accident Lawyer can help you seek compensation and justice for your injuries and other losses. Contact us as soon as possible for a free, no-risk consultation to discuss your construction accident and resulting injuries. Our goal is to get you maximum financial compensation for the injuries received in your construction accident.
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