Construction and Work-Related Injuries
Construction and Work-Related Injuries Attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Construction is one of the most hazardous jobs in the world. People working at construction sites are often exposed to risky situations and unavoidable daily hazards. Although they are skilled and trained in essential safeguards for handling dangerous materials and proper machine operation, accidents still occur.
Employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from hazards and maintain all necessary safety features to limit the likelihood of work injuries.
That is why companies face strict federal and state safety standards or can be liable for any construction accidents and work-related injuries resulting from negligence.
You may be entitled to workers’ compensation if you or a loved one have experienced a workplace injury. A reliable Philadelphia personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the worker’s compensation benefits you deserve.
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.
Why Do I Need a Work Injury Attorney in Pennsylvania?
An accident at work can be physically and financially devastating to you and your family. In addition to severe injuries and emotional distress, a workplace accident can keep you from returning to work. You may experience anxiety about your recovery, lost income, and medical bills. Regardless of the cause of your personal injury, you may be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits under the law if you are hurt on the job.
Our skilled Philadelphia construction and work-related injuries attorneys at The Villari Firm are here to help. Call us if you have been injured in a construction or workplace incident caused by someone else’s negligence or carelessness. We have extensive experience helping numerous injured workers in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania. We can help you determine your right to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Let us handle the complicated legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on your health and well-being. Call our law office now and schedule a free initial consultation.
What are the Common Causes of Construction and Work-Related Accidents?
Construction sites are dangerous places, and accidents happen far more often than we think. Therefore, being aware of the risks you or your loved ones may face while on the job at a construction site is crucial. Suppose you or a loved one has been injured in an accident while working. In that case, you need a knowledgeable Philadelphia construction accident lawyer on your side to help you explore your legal options.
There are many ways in which construction workers can suffer on-the-job injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies four leading causes of fatal accidents on construction sites and workplaces.
Falls
Falls are among the most common injuries worldwide and are especially dangerous on construction sites because of unstable footing and potentially high elevations. To prevent construction site fall accidents, construction companies must provide secure scaffolding, safe catwalks, harnesses, and other safety equipment. When proper equipment is unavailable and falls occur, an injured worker has the right to pursue damages from the construction company and other negligent parties.
Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and back injuries often occur due to falling from a height on a construction site. Some of the common causes of falls include:
- Absence of safety equipment
- Defective safety equipment
- Misuse of machinery
- Improperly constructed scaffolding
- Lack of training for construction workers
- Reckless or negligent behavior by co-workers
Electrocutions
Contact with live wires is the most common reason for electrocution-related deaths in the construction industry. Live wires can occur in control panels, circuit breakers, light fixtures, underground cabling, and transformers. Electrical safety has to be a top priority on any construction site – but unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen; thus, it can severely harm workers. Some of the most common causes of electrocution accidents include:
- Damaged or defective electrical equipment
- Improper use or maintenance of extension cords
- Lifts, ladders, and cranes striking overhead power lines
- Poor lighting, signage, and communication
- Wires that are not properly grounded
- Failure to properly de-energize equipment and follow lockout procedures
Struck-By Accidents
In struck-by accidents, workers are hit by rolling, falling, flying, or swinging objects. These accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, depending on the nature and size of the object, as well as the speed it travels when it hits a construction worker. Common examples of struck-by accidents include:
- Falling scaffolding, pipes, or lumber
- Broken high-pressure hoses and lines
- Accidents with heavy equipment or vehicles
- Flying nuts and bolts
- Dropped tools
- Falling suspended loads
Caught By/In Between Accidents
One of the most fatal construction accidents is when construction workers become caught in or between a machine or debris. These accidents involve workers being caught, crushed, pinched, or squeezed between two objects or parts of two things.
Depending on the severity of the injury, a caught-in or caught-between accident can cause several incapacitating work injuries, including torn ligaments, muscle strain, and broken bones.
Toxic Exposure
Toxic and hazardous substances are widely used in construction processes. Appropriate protective gear should be used whenever construction workers are exposed to or working with harmful chemicals. Those substances can cause severe injuries such as burns and respiratory damage. Some of the dangerous substances construction workers might encounter include:
- Paints
- Gasoline, oil, and other flammable materials
- Chemical solvents and acids
- Hot tar
- Mercury
- Industrial cleaners
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Halogenated flame retardants (HFR)
- Asbestos
- Lead
What Do Workers’ Compensation Benefits Cover?
Following a construction accident in Philadelphia, you may have the right to seek compensation for your workplace injury. Worker’s compensation is the statutory system that was enacted to guarantee employees hurt on the job would quickly receive needed benefits and payments.
While receiving compensation for your damages after a work accident is never guaranteed, a qualified Philadelphia construction and work-related injuries attorney can help you take the proper legal action for the best chances of success to seek the money you deserve for your injuries.
The following types of compensation may be available in a personal injury claim over a construction site accident:
- Lost wages due to time missed from work
- Medical bills, including rehabilitation, physical therapy, and prescriptions
- Loss of future earning potential
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering, which is calculated according to your specific injuries
Call Our Seasoned Philadelphia Construction and Work-Related Injuries Attorney Now!
Construction workers put their health, safety, and lives on the line every day. The nature of their job and the equipment used to perform job duties increase the risk of certain construction accidents. Even if various hazards surround you, you still have the right to expect that your workplace will be reasonably safe and that you’ll be protected from unnecessary risks and injuries.
When adequate precautions are not taken to ensure the safety of workers, everyone on the job site is at risk of serious injuries. Suppose you or a loved one has been seriously injured on a construction site due to someone else’s negligence. In that case, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit seeking compensation for damages. You need an experienced Philadelphia construction and work-related injuries lawyer on your side who knows how to navigate the system and pursue the compensation you deserve.
At The Villari Firm, we are committed to helping injured workers obtain justice after heavy construction and work-related accidents throughout the state of Pennsylvania. We fight for employees who have lost wages, earning ability, and financial stability due to injuries suffered on the job.
Our personal injury law firm will work with you to obtain fair compensation to cover your financial and emotional damages.
Contact us now to schedule a free initial consultation and get the best legal representation you deserve.
Contact our Philadelphia construction accident attorney at 215-372-8889 today to discuss your case during a free, no-obligation consultation.
