Even the safest construction site in Philadelphia has countless dangers that could injure a worker or bystander. If you have suffered injuries on a construction site, you are entitled to recover compensation for your damages.
Construction accident lawsuits can be challenging since it can be difficult to determine who is liable for the accident. Several entities could be responsible for the safety of the site and could be responsible if each contributed to causing your injuries. However, you can still recover Workers’ Compensation if you accidently caused the accident you were injured in.
For a free case consultation with our construction accident and injury attorneys, call Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400.
Who is Liable For a Construction Accident and Injury in Philadelphia?
Construction accidents can happen in many different ways in Philadelphia. In some cases, they are caused by the negligence or recklessness of one or more parties involved in a construction project. If you have suffered an injury while working on a construction site, you are able to seek compensation for your damages.
When determining who is liable for a construction accident, it is important to determine who had control over the project and who was responsible for maintaining safety standards on site. Our construction accident and injury lawyers can review your case to determine who is responsible for causing your injuries. A construction site is considered to be an inherently dangerous environment as it involves heavy machinery, equipment, and other tools that could cause serious injuries if used improperly. A lot of different people are typically present at a construction site at any given time, including contractors, subcontractors, and workers from all levels of experience.
Thus, several parties could be liable for injuries that occur on a Philadelphia construction site. For starters, the owner or developer of the property is typically responsible for hiring general contractors to do the construction job. If they are also responsible for the safety of the premises, they can be held liable. In rarer cases, the architect or designer of the structure being built could have caused an accident to happen.
The general contractor hired by the owner is often considered to be the most responsible party for the safety of a construction site. Therefore, if you were injured because of any negligence or wrongful conduct on behalf of this general contractor, then they may be held liable for your injuries. This includes any subcontractors hired by the general contractor who was either negligent in their job duties or failed to follow safety regulations.
Of course, you might be liable if you caused your own injuries. Fortunately, Workers’ Compensation coverage is a “no-fault” insurance. This means that you can recover compensation even if you caused your own injuries, as long as it was not done intentionally.
What Kinds of Injuries Qualify For Workers’ Compensation After a Philadelphia Construction Accident and Injury?
There is no shortage of injuries a worker can suffer on a Philadelphia construction site. Virtually any construction site is a dangerous environment that requires all parties to work responsibly to avoid accidents. Unfortunately, accidents are unavoidable and can cause devastating injuries. The following are the most common injuries that construction workers receive Workers’ Compensation for in Philadelphia.
Injuries from Falls
Falls are among the most common causes of construction workplace injuries in Philadelphia. If a worker falls from scaffolding or a ladder due to inappropriate use or lack of maintenance, they are eligible for compensation. A fall can result from any number of things, such as a ladder that breaks or a scaffolding that collapses. Injuries that result from falls often cause severe injuries, including broken bones, damaged spinal cords, and traumatic head injuries.
Injuries Caused by Equipment
Equipment failures can happen unexpectedly, causing serious injuries for workers who are nearby when it occurs. When this happens, workers should contact their employers immediately to receive medical treatment and assistance with expenses related to their injuries. This includes injuries resulting from defective equipment and negligent accidents involving cranes, forklifts, scaffolding, and other machinery used in construction work sites. These types of injuries can be catastrophic and easily result in amputations and even death.
Injuries from Fallen Objects
Construction sites often involve heavy machinery and materials that can fall unexpectedly. Materials like scaffolding poles and glass sheets can dislodge and fall from the placement. Significant injuries can still occur even if the object is small, like a hammer, nail, or screwdriver. These accidents can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and paralysis if objects fall directly on a worker’s head or neck area.
What Compensation Can You Receive for a Construction Accident and Injury in Philadelphia?
Construction accidents can cause serious injuries resulting from negligence on the part of another worker or a defective product. If you have been injured in a construction accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your losses, including medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Medical Care
Injured individuals are entitled to receive all necessary medical treatment stemming from their injuries. This includes treatment for any broken bones, cuts, or burns suffered during the accident as well as follow-up treatment for any injuries that might not have been immediately apparent. You might also need prescription medications for pain management or other conditions related to your injuries. Workers’ Compensation in Philadelphia fully covers the costs for these treatments if they are related to their construction accident or occupational disease caused by their work.
Lost Income
If you cannot work due to your injuries, you are entitled to lost wages while recovering. Lost wages can include both current and future earnings that you would have earned if not for your accident-related injuries. You also have a right to receive temporary total disability benefits if your injuries prevent you from returning to work for a significant amount of time. If your injuries totally prevent you from working, you can claim total disability benefits.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages are an important component of any construction accident case because it allows victims to recover compensation for their psychological stress and trauma related to their injuries. This type of compensation covers the emotional distress, physical discomfort, and mental anguish you may experience due to your injuries. The amount awarded will depend on the severity of your injuries, how long they last, and how much they affect your daily life.
Our Philadelphia Construction Accident and Injury Lawyers Can Help
Contact Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400 today for a free review of your case with our construction accident and injury lawyers.
