Construction Injuries in New Jersey
Construction sites are one of New Jersey’s most dangerous places to work. A job in construction comes with many inherent injury risks, including working from heights and with power tools and heavy machinery. Understanding your legal rights in the aftermath of a construction injury may take consulting with a local personal injury attorney in New Jersey.
Common Types of Construction Accidents and Injuries in New Jersey
A construction site in New Jersey can contain many injury risks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls are the most common type of fatal accident in construction, followed by transportation incidents. Portable ladders and stairs are the primary source of fatal falls.
The full list of most common construction site accidents includes:
- Slips, trips and falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Equipment-related accidents
- Scaffolding accidents
- Struck-by falling objects
- Electrocutions
- Crane collapses
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Acts of violence
Construction accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, such as broken bones, lacerations, burns, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, scarring and disfigurement, and amputations. Unfortunately, many construction accidents are fatal.
Why Do Construction Injuries Happen?
Construction accidents happen in New Jersey when someone makes a careless mistake or violates one of the many regulations that are in place to help ensure the safety of this industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has many rules regarding how construction sites should be run and managed.
If an employer or site supervisor breaks any of these rules, it can lead to a preventable worker injury or death. The most commonly violated safety standards according to OSHA have to do with fall protection, hazard communication and control of hazardous energy, ladders, respiratory protection, industrial trucks, scaffolding, eye and face protection, and machine guarding.
What to Do After Suffering a Construction Injury
If you get hurt while working in construction, seek medical attention for your injuries without delay. Follow your doctor’s orders and keep copies of your medical records. Notify your employer of the accident as soon as possible, but at least within 14 days to protect your eligibility for workers’ compensation.
Document as much as possible about your accident, including taking photos of the hazardous condition. Write down the names of any coworkers who witnessed the accident. If you wish to file a workers’ compensation claim, tell your employer. Before you accept an insurance settlement, however, consult with a construction accident attorney in New Jersey.
Compensation Available for Construction Injuries in New Jersey
A workers’ comp settlement or personal injury claim could result in many different types of financial compensation for your construction injury. Examples include:
- Medical bills
- Disability costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property repairs
The types and amounts of compensation available will depend on your case and circumstances. A review from an attorney can give you an accurate understanding of how much your case is worth.
Why You Should Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
It is generally in your best interest to arrange a free consultation with a workplace injury lawyer in Union City following a construction site accident in New Jersey. If there is evidence that someone else caused or contributed to your injury, you may qualify for more financial compensation through a personal injury claim than workers’ compensation.
Once you accept a settlement, however, you lose your right to sue your employer. A lawyer will carefully evaluate and investigate your case, explain your rights, and help you choose the right way forward. To discuss a particular construction injury with an attorney at no cost, contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson for a free case evaluation at one of our convenient locations.x