Construction Accidents
Construction Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia, PA
Injured at a Construction Site? Call The Villari Firm, PLLC!
Construction sites are inherently dangerous. Workers must use power tools and other equipment or machinery to perform heavy labor. They may have to work from heights on scaffolding and ladders. They may be working with or around electrical systems. Even if properly trained and cautious, accidents happen. Workers, passersby, and site visitors may be seriously injured in construction site accidents.
If you or someone you know was injured at a construction site, do not wait to seek legal guidance from a skilled attorney. You may be entitled to a significant settlement or award for your lost earnings, medical care, and other injuries. An experience din construction accident attorney in Philadelphia can help you determine how to recover the compensation you need to begin rebuilding and moving on with your life.
To discuss your case with a Philadelphia construction accident attorney with over 20 years of legal experience, call The Villari Firm, PLLC at 215-372-8889. We are here to help.
Construction’s “Fatal Four”: Leading Causes of Construction Worker Fatalities in the U.S.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately one-fifth of all worker fatalities in the U.S. occur in the construction industry. Excluding highway accidents, there are four leading causes of construction worker fatalities each year.
In 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the following “fatal four” causes of construction accidents, which caused nearly 60% of worker fatalities:
- Falls
- Struck by object
- Electrocution
- Caught in or between equipment, collapsing structures, or materials
These incidents may be caused by negligence, inexperience, faulty equipment, or failure to comply with safety standards. Drug or alcohol abuse can also cause construction site injuries. It will be important to determine the cause in order to pursue and recover fair compensation by way of a personal injury, workers’ compensation, or wrongful death claim. Our Philadelphia construction accident lawyer can help you determine the value of your case!
Why Do I Need a Construction Accident Lawyer in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to some of the busiest construction sites in the country. With so much activity, it’s no surprise that construction accidents are relatively common. If you have been injured in a construction accident, you may wonder whether you need a lawyer.
There are many different practice areas within personal injury law, and construction work accidents fall under the umbrella of workplace injuries. When choosing a lawyer to handle your case, finding someone with experience with this specific type of injury is important. The lawyers at The Villari Firm have years of experience handling Pennsylvania construction accident cases, and they will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Several other qualities make a good lawyer. You should look for a personal injury lawyer who will be:
- Attentive to your needs,
- Honest about your case, and
- Aggressive in pursuing justice on your behalf.
At The Villari Firm, we pride ourselves on our care for our clients and providing an honest assessment of their cases. Our number one priority is getting our clients the best possible outcome, and we will fight tirelessly to achieve that goal.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a Pennsylvania construction accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help. You can schedule a consultation with one of our experienced lawyers today!
What are Construction Accidents?
Construction accidents can include any accident on a construction site, including slips and falls, scaffolding accidents, crane accidents, electrocutions, and more.
Types Of Accidents On Construction Sites
Philadelphia construction accident lawyers handle various cases, each with its facts and legal issues. Some common causes of construction site accidents include:
- Faulty ladders
- Faulty machinery design
- Defective equipment
- Dumping truck disasters
- Electrocution
- Falling objects
- Burns and explosions
- Forklift accidents
- Hoist accidents
- Ladder collapses
- Nail gun accidents
- Saw accidents
- Scaffolding accidents
- Trench collapses
- Uneven surfaces
- Welding accidents
Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers have the experience and knowledge to investigate your case and aggressively pursue the full compensation you deserve. If you’re an injured worker, call us today for a free consultation.
What Should I Do if I Get Injured in a Pennsylvania Construction Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a Pennsylvania construction accident, there are a few key things you should do right away.
First, seek immediate medical attention. Medical help is important, even if you don’t think your injuries are serious.
Second, you’ll need to inform your employer about the accident – Pennsylvania law requires it.
Third, we strongly advise that you speak with a Pennsylvania construction accident lawyer. We can help you with everything from completing accident forms to getting a copy of your accident report from the construction site.
And finally, make sure your accident report is accurate by going over it with your attorney. We can help you fix any report errors and ensure your rights are protected.
What are Some Typical Reasons Why Construction Accidents Happen?
OSHA outlines the Fatal Four, the most common causes of construction injury.
These are:
- Falls: a fall hazard is anything that can cause you to lose balance or bodily support.
- Struck-By: struck-by construction accident injuries come from a strong impact between the injured worker and an object.
- Caught-In/Between: It refers to construction accident injury produced when a worker is caught between fixed structures or machinery.
- Electrocutions: People working with electricity are at risk of electrocuting themselves.
There is great risk involved when working for a construction company. However, the laws require that reasonable safety measures are put in place. If a violation of these laws resulted in your injury, you might be entitled to compensation. Call our Philadelphia law office to discuss the merits of your case.
Compensation for Construction Injuries in Philadelphia
When scaffolding accidents, ladder falls, structure collapses, and other serious construction accidents are not fatal, they can cause catastrophic injuries that forever alter a worker’s life. Workers may suffer from spinal cord injuries, severe burns, brain injuries, paralysis, or amputation. The recovery of benefits or compensation will provide the only means for a worker and his or her family to cover medical bills and living expenses while the worker is injured and unable to work. They can even cover emotional trauma, such as pain and suffering.
Serving Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, we at The Villari Firm, PLLC are dedicated to helping victims of construction site accidents and their families recover the monetary damages they need and deserve. Whether your accident is covered by workers’ compensation or if third-party liability means you can pursue a personal injury or wrongful death action, we will take the appropriate course of action to help you face a brighter future.
Do I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit or Go For Workers Compensation Benefits?
If you have been injured in a construction accident, there may be numerous avenues for you to obtain compensation for your damages. The first is by submitting a claim to the workers’ compensation insurance company that insures your employer.
- Among your workers’ compensation benefits could be:
- Payment for your medical costs
- Disability compensation
- Advantages of vocational rehabilitation
- Benefits for surviving family members after a wrongful death
However, benefits from workers’ compensation might not always be sufficient to fully compensate you for your losses. You may also need to be ready to file a claim with your insurance company or file a lawsuit against the people who caused the problem.
Generally speaking, only construction workers and site employees are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if they are hurt at work. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
If you are not a construction worker or site employee, you may still be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if you prove that your employer’s negligence caused your severe injury.
Your lawyer can help you to understand which options are available to you and which option is most likely to result in a successful outcome for your case. Call our Philadelphia law office today to discuss your construction accident case.
How much compensation am I entitled from a Pennsylvania construction accident injury?
Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers handle various cases, including third-party liability. As you might expect, workers’ compensation will usually pay for your medical bills and a part of your lost wages if you get hurt on the job.
However, Pennsylvania law also allows you to file a third-party workplace accident case if other parties were at fault for your accident. This could include, for example, a contractor working on the same site as you or a manufacturer of defective construction equipment.
Workers’ compensation does not cover pain and suffering, but a third party may cover them. If you have been injured in a construction accident, you must speak with an experienced Pennsylvania construction accident lawyer to learn about workers comp benefits.
Who else could be held accountable?
The majority of construction accident lawsuits that we encounter are really not against an employer but rather against a third party. These parties consist of:
- General and subcontractors: You might have a case against a general contractor or subcontractor if they failed to alert you to any job hazards or disregarded any safety issues.
- Owners of Construction Sites: The following factors must be considered: How much power did the owner have over the location? How much influence did they have over the task that was being done?
- Manufacturer: Anyone in the distribution chain, from the manufacturer to the retailer, can be held liable for injuries caused by a defective product.
- Architects and Engineers: They may be held liable if they did not adhere to codes or other rules that resulted in an accident.
- Prime contractors: are not always held liable for accidents caused by subcontractors.
Construction accident injuries are serious. This makes it important to hold the parties liable, so you can receive justice and compensation.
How does negligence factor in a PA construction accident?
Workers’ compensation is a great resource for employees who have been hurt. But what happens if your injury was caused by someone other than your employer? In Pennsylvania, construction workers who get hurt because of someone else’s carelessness may be able to file a personal injury claim to get paid.
Comparative Negligence Laws in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a modified comparative negligence system governed by Section 7102 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and has a 51% bar rule. You may still be entitled to compensation if your share of the blame does not exceed 50%.
For example, if you were using your cell phone and were unexpectedly struck by a falling object on a construction site, the judge might hold you 10% responsible for your injuries. If you were supposed to be awarded $10,000 in damages, you would only receive $9,000.
Proving Negligence in Construction Accidents
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a Pennsylvania construction accident, you would need to prove negligence to recover compensation. Fortunately, our experienced Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers can help you gather the evidence you need to build a strong case.
We have a network of investigators and other professionals who can help us obtain key evidence, such as video footage of the accident, pictures of the scene, and eyewitness accounts. We will also review safety inspections and police reports to look for any red flags that could indicate negligence.
For your case to be successful, you typically have to prove the following components:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They violated that duty
- You suffered damages as a result of that violation.
Call our Pennsylvania Construction Accident Lawyer now!
You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident. The Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers at The Villari Firm have the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the legal process and fight for maximum recovery. We understand your challenges and will work tirelessly to get you the justice you deserve.
If you need help with a worker’s compensation claim, you need the services of a skilled personal injury lawyer. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Put a Powerful Litigator on Your Side
Attorney Heidi G. Villari is an aggressive and powerful litigator who stops at nothing in the pursuit of justice for her clients. When you work with our firm, you can rest assured that we will do everything possible to recover fair workers’ comp benefits or hold at-fault parties accountable in civil court.
Contact our Philadelphia construction accident attorney at 215-372-8889 today to discuss your case during a free, no-obligation consultation.
