Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that in one recent year, construction had the most fatalities among all industries, recording 1,075 deaths. Individuals who survive a construction accident may experience traumatic injuries and the inability to return to work in the same capacity as before the accident. Yet, while construction accidents cause significant physical and financial harm, many workers fear seeking legal help from an experienced construction accident lawyer in Jackson.

The Jackson construction accident lawyers at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers understand the devastating toll a construction accident can take on a worker’s health, quality of life, and financial stability. We advocate for injured construction workers, protecting their legal rights and helping them recover compensation for their medical expenses and lost wages. From conducting a complete investigation into the cause of the accident to negotiating for maximum compensation, our team fights for you.

Contact our office today to set up a free initial case evaluation. We are passionate about delivering results and helping you pursue the money you deserve.

Do You Need a Jackson Construction Accident Attorney?

Too often, vulnerable construction workers are intimidated into settling for “good enough” and not seeking out legal representation to help them recover the compensation they deserve after an accident. Many workers fear retaliation or repercussions at work. However, working with a knowledgeable Jackson construction accident lawyer is the best way to protect your rights and pursue the money you need for your medical expenses and lost wages.

There are a lot of nuances and unique legal factors at work in construction accident claims. An experienced and resourceful attorney can help you make the most of this unfortunate situation by handling every aspect of your claim and making sure it’s as strong as it can be. You can focus on healing while your lawyer focuses on getting you the money you need and holding careless entities accountable for their actions.

Most Common Causes of New Jersey Construction Accidents

Construction is an inherently dangerous industry. However, employers and other entities are still responsible for making sure the workplace is safe to prevent serious accidents and injuries. Even with state and federal safety regulations, accidents continue to occur. Data from the BLS shows that in one year, nearly one in five workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry, many of those caused by preventable accidents like falls.

Some of the most common causes of New Jersey construction accidents include:

• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Falls from heights
• Falling objects
• Struck by objects
• Transportation accidents
• Electrocutions
• Fire and explosions
• Exposure to chemicals or hazardous substances
• Crushing or caught between object accidents
• Havey machinery defects and accidents

What leads to these types of accidents? It can be inadequate worker training or inexperience, a lack of safety training, improper maintenance, or providing insufficient safety equipment and tools. Defective equipment or tools can also lead to construction accidents, such as when a mechanical part fails, causing a transportation accident, or faulty scaffolding collapses.

Types of Construction Accident Injuries

Construction accidents can cause catastrophic injuries that may change a person’s life forever. Not only can a construction worker be faced with devastating physical trauma, but their injuries may prevent them from returning to work in the same capacity as before the accident and prevent them from enjoying the same quality of life.

Injuries common in the construction industry can include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Paralysis
• Other neck and spine injuries
• Amputations
• Broken bones
• Dislocations
• Thermal burns
• Chemical burns
• Soft tissue injuries
• Organ damage
• Internation bleeding
• Overexertion injuries
• Lacerations
• Abrasions
• Contusions

The physical and financial toll of catastrophic injuries can also cause invisible injuries in construction workers, like depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Traumatic workplace incidents may also trigger post-traumatic stress disorder.

How Do You Seek Compensation for a New Jersey Construction Accident?

Injured construction workers may not understand all their available legal options for seeking compensation for their injuries. The first and most common way construction accident victims recover compensation is by filing a New Jersey workers’ compensation claim. The New Jersey workers’ compensation program protects workers who get hurt by requiring most New Jersey employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation insurance is a no-fault insurance program that helps cover medical expenses and lost wages when a worker is hurt, regardless of who caused the accident.

Workers’ compensation also provides additional benefits depending on the severity of a person’s injury, including:

• Medical benefits
• Temporary total benefits
• Permanent partial benefits
• Permanent total benefits
• Death benefits

However, in exchange for receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you generally cannot file a civil lawsuit against the employer for additional compensation, except in rare situations involving intentional acts.

While an injured construction worker who accepts workers’ compensation cannot sue their employer, they still have the legal right to sue a third party. When a negligent third party contributes to the cause of an accident, a victim can file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for their injuries.

A Jackson construction accident lawyer takes the time to carefully review your situation and outline all your legal options for pursuing compensation for your injuries. They can also manage the details of your claim, negotiate for maximum compensation, and build a solid claim with the best chance of a favorable outcome. When you work with an attorney, you can feel confident they’ll advocate for you when the insurer attempts to diminish or deny your workers’ compensation claim.

FAQs

After a construction accident in Jackson Township, you likely have many questions about your legal rights and options, and possibly some concerns about what the legal process might mean for you. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers is here to help put you at ease. Learn the answers to some typical construction accident claim questions, then reach out to us for more information.

What steps should I take after a construction accident in Jackson to ensure my case is strong?

The aftermath of a construction accident can be chaotic and confusing. First and foremost, always seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Your health and safety must always come first. You can take additional steps to protect your rights and help build a solid compensation claim.

First, report the accident to a manager or supervisor immediately. You will also need to document the scene as thoroughly as you can. Take photographs or videos of the scene and ask witnesses for a brief statement about what they saw happen or note the names of individuals present at the time of the accident.

Follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter and avoid posting anything on social media until your claim gets resolved. Talk to an experienced Jackson construction accident attorney as soon as possible for help gathering and preserving evidence and negotiating for maximum compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages.

How can a Jackson construction accident lawyer help me pursue third-party liability claims if another contractor was at fault?

Accepting workers’ compensation after a workplace injury prevents you from filing a lawsuit against your employer or co-workers. However, you can pursue compensation from a third party via a personal injury lawsuit if the actions of that third party contributed to the construction accident. Third-party entities that may be liable following a construction accident can include:

• Contractors
• Subcontractors
• Property owners
• Maintenance companies
• Product manufacturers

A Jackson construction accident lawyer can help by investigating the cause of the accident and identifying all potentially liable parties. Your attorney can then prepare to build a solid case backed by evidence and negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation for your injuries.

What types of damages can I recover for injuries from a construction accident in Jackson?

Injured construction workers seeking compensation from a New Jersey workers’ compensation claim can seek money to cover their medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages. Workers’ compensation insurance may also compensate for temporary disability, permanent disability, or death benefits.

If a worker pursues a third-party personal injury lawsuit, they may seek money for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

The value of a personal injury case varies and depends on several factors, including the severity of an individual’s injuries and the cause of the accident. In rare cases, you may also get punitive damages. Punitive damages do not cover your injuries. Instead, they punish the at-fault party for malicious or egregious conduct.

A Jackson Construction Accident Lawyer Is in Your Corner

At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we understand the complexity of job site injury claims. Going through the workers’ compensation system while determining whether you have a valid third-party case can be confusing. Our Jackson construction accident lawyers aim to take the stress of managing a construction accident claim off your shoulders. We are prepared to uncover negligence, craft a personalized legal strategy, and aggressively litigate your case.

Call our office at (973) 364-8300 or contact us on our webpage to request a free initial consultation. We’ve already recovered over $535 million for injured accident victims like you and want to help you get the money you need.