Construction work is notorious for causing serious accidents. Life-altering injuries like falls, equipment accidents, trench collapses, and electrocution lead to workplace fatalities far too often. Lack of safety from preventable mistakes, inadequate training, faulty equipment, and negligence frequently enable these tragedies.
These accidents cause irreplaceable injuries and damage to workers, families, and communities. It is important that a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer hold negligent companies accountable. A Pennsylvania construction accident lawyer can help you with your case.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
Working in construction comes with many hazards. Falls cause countless injuries and deaths nationally each year, especially from elevated heights. Scaffolds, ladders, skeleton steel structures, and floor openings put workers at serious risk for devastating falls if safety rails, netting, or harnesses are not utilized.
Another danger is getting struck by the heavy vehicles and machinery constantly moving around busy job sites. Large backhoes, bobcats, cranes, and trucks have blind spots and limited maneuverability. Lack of operator training and clear procedures to separate workers from equipment movement can have deadly consequences.
Trench cave-ins and excavation accidents are also dangerous with construction projects when protective systems fail. This type of accident can be devastating. You need a lawyer on your side to prove you deserve compensation for an incident like this.
When You Are Partially at Fault
Under comparative negligence laws, you can still pursue injury claims against other negligent parties even if you were partially at fault. Your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation. So, if you were 20% responsible for the accident, your settlement would be reduced by 20%.
The key is that the other party must be more than 51% at fault overall. If you were 50% or more responsible, you would be barred from compensation. Being partially responsible does weaken the claim value and requires careful strategic consideration before pursuing damages or settlement.
An experienced construction accident lawyer in Pennsylvania can guide you on when a valid claim exists despite partial fault. Admitting you did not follow all safety protocols does not prevent financial recovery. Denying any personal responsibility will undermine your credibility.
Pennsylvania Construction Accident Lawyer Near Me (215) 985-2424
Types of Compensation You Can Seek
Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses from medical bills, lost income, property damage, and lost future earnings caused by disabilities or impairment. Non-economic damages attempt to put a monetary figure on physical pain and emotional suffering after traumatic injuries and effects on personal relationships and quality of life. Calculating intangible losses is challenging but vital.
Punitive damages, awarded in cases of gross negligence or misconduct, aim to punish and deter egregious safety violations. They require proving willful disregard for human health and safety. Punitive damages are rare but can be substantial.
Workers’ compensation provides medical, rehabilitation, and partial wage replacement benefits. However, caps on benefits often inadequately compensate for losses. Third-party claims against negligent entities secure additional recovery.
When to Seek Compensation
Knowing the appropriate time to pursue financial compensation after a construction accident in Pennsylvania is important. There are strategic considerations for injury victims. Ideally, contacting a construction accident attorney for a free case review should happen immediately after the incident while evidence is preserved and witnesses’ memories are fresh.
Focus on your health and recovery before taking legal action after your construction accident. Your attorney can start gathering information and documentation without demands or deadlines to build your case. However, you should not rush into lawsuits or settlements before fully understanding the extent of your injuries and treatment prognosis.
It is important to wait for your medical diagnosis to get the maximum compensation possible. Taking legal action too soon without understanding the long-term implications of your injuries can cause you not to get the full compensation you deserve. Working with a construction accident attorney in Pennsylvania to determine strategic timing for demanding accountability that aligns with your anticipated treatment and recovery is vital.
Evidence You Need to Prove Your Case
You need proper evidence to increase the chances of a successful outcome for your case. The best types of evidence are police reports, eyewitness statements, video footage, and photos from the accident scene. It is hard for the other party to deny a claim when you have all of that proof.
Medical records thoroughly document the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and impact on life activities over time. If injuries worsen, records substantiate increasing costs and damages. Gaps in treatment undermine injury claims.
Expert opinions from specialists like accident reconstructionists, bioengineers, vocational experts, and economists provide proof of negligence and validate losses and disabilities caused by the incident. OSHA investigation conclusions and safety reports from the site demonstrate hazardous conditions, training deficiencies, lack of required safeguards, and a preventable root cause. Documentation of violations adds proof of negligence.
Wrongful Death Claims After Fatalities
Grieving family members have legal rights to hold negligent parties accountable in a wrongful death case. Although no amount of money can make up for the tragic death of a loved one, financial compensation can help with funeral costs, lost income, and ongoing living expenses. While painful, taking legal action can improve worksite safety for others, even as families mourn those lost too soon.
Pennsylvania has specific statutes for this type of case. Certain family members like spouses, parents, and children can legally pursue wrongful death claims against the person or company responsible for construction site conditions that caused accidental death. An attorney can help secure substantial settlements through negotiation or court awards.
Although the process is emotionally difficult, the outcomes can provide families with financial stability and improve safety for other Pennsylvania workers. Pursuing this type of case prevents further loss by exposing negligence. More companies will ensure they are keeping up with safety measures when cases like this are exposed.
Get the Justice and Compensation You Deserve
If you or a loved one suffered devastating injuries on a Pennsylvania construction site due to negligence or safety violations, please reach out to our law offices for a dedicated legal team. Our attorneys have decades of experience exclusively handling construction accident cases.
We have helped hundreds of clients and their families recover damages, secure medical resources, improve worksite safety, and rebuild lives after tragic incidents.
You should not go through this alone. Let our compassionate attorneys fight for accountability and maximum compensation as you focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation to work with a Pennsylvania construction accident attorney.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
