New Jersey Construction Accident Attorneys

Aggressive Representation Focused on Full Compensation for Injuries Caused by Negligence

Construction is among the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Studies by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the injury rate for construction workers is three times higher than other lines of work, and approximately 20 percent of all workplace fatalities occur in the construction industry. But the most tragic aspect of the high rates of injury and death is that many employers flout safety regulations and deliberately put their workers at greater risk to reduce costs on a project. Often, when a construction worker suffers a work-related injury, the only remedy is workers’ compensation, which only partially compensates the worker. However, when unsafe working conditions cause an accident resulting in injury or death, there may be grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, our New Jersey injury trial lawyers stand up for injured construction workers. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident, and if we uncover negligence, we aggressively litigate the case to hold the responsible parties fully accountable. We are passionate about delivering results in construction accident cases, so our clients recover fully for their losses, including their pain and suffering. But we also what to give employers an incentive to follow regulations, so the industry is made safer for all involved.

Do I Need A Construction Accident Lawyer?

When a construction worker suffers a work-related injury, the only available remedy is workers’ compensation, which only partially compensates the employee. However, when unsafe working conditions cause an accident resulting in injury or death, there may be grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

In addition, a construction worker who is an independent contractor can pursue a personal injury claim against the party or parties in charge of the worksite who are otherwise responsible for the accident.

Employer negligence is often a factor in construction accidents, creating chaotic worksite were accidents are more likely to occur. Employers looking to cut costs often hurry projects, hire untrained workers, require long hours, and ignore safety protocols for workers, for example, operating at heights on scaffolds and ladders.

As discussed above, various other parties apart from an employer may bear or share responsibility for a construction accident. You can rely on Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers to identify all the at-fault parties in a New Jersey construction accident and seek to obtain from them the compensation that you deserve.

After a construction accident, you could be contacted soon after the accident by an insurance company for the negligent party. You should limit whatever you say to any insurer.

Insurance companies are committed only to their bottom lines. That usually means that their objective is the complete opposite of your own because they will want to pay you as little as possible. Let a knowledgeable construction attorney do the talking for you.

A lawyer who is protecting your interests will investigate the accident, determine the cause, and hold all negligent parties accountable. The sooner you contact an attorney, the quicker they will be able to preserve vital evidence in your case.

If you happen to be struggling with affording your medical care, a lawyer may be able to negotiate discounted treatment rates. They could also help you obtain a medical lien that allows you to continue receiving care while your claim is pending. The amount you owe any healthcare provider will be deducted later from a settlement amount or jury award.

Why Choose Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers To Handle My Construction Accident Case?

Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has been recognized as a best law firm in New Jersey with a tier-1 ranking for personal injury litigation. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers combines experience and expertise, along with attention to detail, to deliver quality results, while excelling at client care during an exceptionally trying time in your life.

Our record of success includes a $340,000 settlement for a fall down accident at a construction site in Bergen County and a $150,000 settlement for a construction fall in Bergen County.

With decades of experience, we are passionate about delivering results in construction accident cases, so our clients recover fully for their losses, including their pain and suffering. But we also what to give employers an incentive to follow federal and state regulations, so the industry is made safer for all involved.

Hiring Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers to represent you after a construction accident requires no upfront legal fees. We handle cases on a contingency basis;  you only pay when you get a monetary award.

Common accident scenarios that injury NJ construction workers

Every day, construction workers encounter significant hazards. Despite state and federally mandated safety rules, accidents frequently cause serious injury and death. The most common causes of construction accidents are:

• Falls — Whenever a construction worker is required to work at elevated heights, the risk of injury or death increases dramatically. Falls on construction sites, whether from a significant height or not, can result in severe personal injuries or death. Throughout the United States, falls remain the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry. Falls from ladders or scaffolds are among the leading causes of workplace injury and death, particularly at construction sites.
• Falling objects — If not properly secured, heavy objects and materials have the propensity to fall onto workers below, causing serious injuries, or even death. When improperly set up, maintained, or operated, falling objects can lead to catastrophic injury accidents or death and may permanently affect a worker’s ability to earn a living wage.
• Shock and electrocution — Workplace electrocutions represent a very real and often deadly risk. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, workplace electrocutions cause over four-hundred fatalities every year.
• Crush injuries — Employers are required to properly train workers for the use of heavy machinery and equipment. The inherent dangers associated with heavy machinery create a very real risk to construction workers. The slightest mishap could result in a construction worker being run over or crushed by heavy equipment with relative ease.

Other common kinds of construction accidents include:

• Crane, forklift, and other heavy machinery accidents
• Exposure to hazardous materials such as asbestos or chemicals
• Improperly maintained or defectively manufactured tools and equipment
• Negligence of employers, co-workers or subcontractors
• Fires and explosions
• Repetitive stress disorders
• Truck and other motor vehicle accidents
• Demolition accidents

But what are the underlying causes of these and other construction accidents? Employer negligence is often a factor, creating chaotic worksite were accidents are more likely to occur. Employers looking to cut costs often hurry projects, hiring untrained workers, requiring long hours, and ignoring safety protocols for workers operating at heights on scaffolds and ladders.

Serious injuries from construction site accidents

Construction accidents often have dire consequences, including:

• Amputation and dismemberment
• Back and neck injuries
• Burn injuries
• Fractured bones
• Toxic exposure
• Traumatic brain injury

The result of a catastrophic injury can be prolonged or permanent disability or death. Workers’ compensation pays for medical bills, but only replaces 70 percent of wages and pays nothing for the victim’s pain and suffering. The only way to recover full personal injury damages is through a negligence lawsuit. But, most of the time, New Jersey’s workers’ compensation law prevents a worker from suing.

Determined legal action against all responsible parties

When a construction accident occurs, one or more parties may be responsible for the unsafe condition of the premises. These parties may include:

• General contractor
• Subcontractor
• Construction manager
• Architect
• Engineer
• Owner of the premises
• Tenant in possession of the premises
• Equipment manufacturer

Owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects and equipment manufacturers may all share responsibility for promoting safety on the project site. If any party is negligent or careless, and that carelessness causes an accident, he or she may be held liable for the resulting injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Construction Accidents

To discuss the specific details of your New Jersey construction accident claim, call us today at (973) 364-8300 or reach out to us online. In the meantime, we’ve provided a few frequently asked questions and their answers below.

If I cannot sue my employer or co-workers, why should I hire a lawyer?

Workers’ compensation in New Jersey indeed prohibits you from filing a lawsuit against an employer and/or co-worker. When it comes to the employer-employee relationship, workers’ comp is the exclusive or sole remedy. Negligence by third parties is another matter, however.

You could be entitled to personal injury damages in addition to your workers’ compensation benefits if a non-employer caused an unsafe working condition. For example, a construction accident stemming from defective machinery could result in a personal injury claim against the manufacturer.

The insurance company is offering me a lump sum settlement that will close out my claim and keep me out of court. Should I accept it?

Even when an insurance company is presenting what seems like a generous offer, ask yourself if it is going to be enough to cover your current and future needs. Many workers who have accepted a settlement quickly learn that the lump sum goes quickly, and they may have to pay for future medical, rehabilitation, and other expenses out of their own pocket. Instead, let a knowledgeable and experienced construction accident attorney negotiate a just settlement.

What kinds of damages could I be entitled to?

Most injured workers will be entitled to workers’ compensation with payouts for lost wages, temporary or permanent disability, and other benefits, as established by state regulators.

In terms of a settlement or a judgment for third-party negligence liability, workers could receive compensation for economic and noneconomic damages, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering

Injury victims can, in some limited circumstances, recover punitive damages in court for particularly bad acts or omissions by the responsible party. Punitive damages are very rare and are intended more to punish the at-fault party than reward the victim.

Construction Accident Statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the private construction industry sector had the highest number of fatalities in New Jersey with 20, which was two fewer than the 22 in 2015. Of these deaths, eight related to construction of buildings including seven related to residential building construction, three related to new single-family housing construction, and four residential remodelers, four related to heavy and civil engineering construction including one land subdivision death, and 10 were specialty trade contractors, including six foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors, three roofing contractors, one building finishing contractor, and one other specialty trade contractor.

According to the BLS, falls accounted for 12 worker deaths in the construction sector. There were 15 fatally injured workers who worked in specialty trade contracting.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) refers to the leading causes of private sector worker deaths in the construction industry as the “Fatal Four.” The four kinds of deaths responsible for 59.9 percent of construction worker deaths in 2017 were:

• Falls (381 out of 971 total deaths in construction in 2017, or 39.2 percent) — OSHA indicates that employers must set up workplaces to prevent possible employee falls, being mindful of elevated work stations and holes in floors. OSHA requires employers to provide working conditions that are free of known dangers and provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers.
• Struck by object (80 deaths, or 8.2 percent) — Construction sites can be very busy scenes, so it is not uncommon for many large items such as beams or bars to be swinging in the course of being moved. A number of other large items on construction scenes that strike workers who were unaware of certain dangers can cause major injuries.
• Electrocutions (71, or 7.3 percent) — Electrocution accidents can happen in many different kinds of construction accidents, and not just sites that are near major power sources. Electrocution could stem from inadequate wiring, contact with power lines, or other mechanical issues.
• Caught-in/between (50, or 5.1 percent) — A caught-in/between differs from a struck by accident in that a worker suffers crushing injuries, possibly as the result of cave-ins (trenching), being pulled into or caught in machinery, or being crushed between shifting objects.

Contact our aggressive NJ construction accident lawyers for full and fair compensation

Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers provides determined representation for injured construction workers throughout New Jersey. Let us help you obtain the full personal injury compensation you deserve. Call us today at 973-364-8300 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.