Recovering
$ MILLIONS
For Injured Pennsylvanians
Philadelphia Construction Site Accident Lawyer
Personal Injury Law Firm Handling Construction Site Accident Claims For Clients Throughout Pennsylvania
Philadelphia may be The City of Brotherly Love but each year workers and visitors at construction sites are injured or killed. This is the tragic reality in an older city with constant infrastructure and building maintenance and repair, not to mention new construction that comes with growth and expansion. This means construction workers, as well as other people on construction sites, are at risk of serious and permanent injuries or death.
Construction is also an inherently dangerous industry. Industrial spaces and work zones are swarming with crews, heavy machinery, and materials as well as toxic chemicals. This is why workers and construction site visitors are vulnerable to construction accident injuries.
Larry Pitt & Associates has a team of experienced construction accident lawyers ready to help people who have been hurt while at work, while in the car, or while passing by a construction zone. We have represented the injured in and around Philadelphia for more than 40 years with their Philadelphia construction accident cases. We deal with the general contractor, insurance company, and property owners, and if necessary, file a Philadelphia construction accident case to recover medical bills, lost wages, and all the financial compensation a person is entitled to under the law including pain and suffering.
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Helping Those Injured on or Near Construction Sites in Pennsylvania
If you were hurt on a construction site, Larry Pitt & Associates is here to help. We’ve been representing construction workers and site visitors for more than 40 years. Please call 888-PITT-LAW or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation at one of our office locations. We are proud to serve clients throughout:
What are the Most Common Injuries on a Construction Site?
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the construction industry is one of the most dangerous, leaving the construction worker at great risk of harm or death. According to their data, “4,764 workers died on the job in 2020 (3.4 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers). Workers in transportation and material moving occupations and construction and extraction occupations accounted for nearly half of all fatal occupational injuries (47.4 percent), representing 1,282 and 976 workplace deaths, respectively.”
OSHA has a label for the most common fatal construction accidents. They call them the “Fatal Four.” These four types of construction accidents are responsible for more than half of all construction work deaths each year:
- Being caught in between, or crushed by, a structure, material or machine
- Electrocution
- Falls
- Struck by objects
There are many other types of construction workplace injuries that have many different causes including:
Unguarded scaffolding
Companies that fail to use certain implements or safety features (guard railings, toe-boards, scaffold ties) in violation of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards are potentially liable for resulting injuries.
Struck by falling objects
Tools and equipment that slide off of high scaffolding can cause serious injuries to workers, pedestrians, and passersby.
Construction debris
Construction debris is any type of material that is left behind from the construction or renovation process. This can include nails, tools, pieces of wood, metal, insulation, and other materials left behind by workers. These items can be dangerous if left unchecked and can lead to serious accidents due to slips, trips, and falls on the construction site.
Faulty construction equipment
Defective parts, poor maintenance, and improper use of equipment can all lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. Poorly designed guardrails, scaffolding that is not properly set up, and outdated or malfunctioning heavy machinery are all examples of faulty construction equipment that could put workers at risk for an accident.
Snow and ice
Snow and ice present dangerous hazards on construction sites, as they can cause slips, trips, and falls. Snow and ice can also accumulate in areas of the site that are not regularly cleared or maintained, creating icy spots that are difficult to spot. In winter weather conditions, workers may be unable to see these hazards until it is too late, leading to potentially serious injury or death.
Table saw accidents
Table saw accidents are a common type of accident on construction sites, and can be particularly dangerous. They typically occur when workers use the table saw incorrectly, such as not wearing proper protective gear or failing to follow safety procedures. These accidents often result in lacerations, deep cuts, crushing injuries, or even amputations.
Electrocution
Electrocution is a type of construction site accident caused by contact with an electric current. It can occur when workers come into contact with high-voltage power lines, live wires, electrical equipment, or exposed wiring. The effects of electrocution range from minor burns to serious injury and even death.
Chemical burns
Chemical burns are a serious hazard for construction workers, resulting from contact with hazardous chemicals that are often used on construction sites. These chemicals can cause severe skin irritation, blistering, and in some cases even tissue death. Chemical burns can be especially dangerous if the chemical reaches mucous membranes or is inhaled, as this can lead to more severe systemic damage.
Exposure to toxic chemicals
Exposure to toxic chemicals on construction sites can cause serious accidents, such as fire and explosions, resulting in burns, inhalation of hazardous fumes, and even death. Contamination from these substances, including asbestos and lead-based paints, can also lead to long-term health problems for workers who come into contact with them.
Elevator accidents
Elevator accidents are a common cause of construction site accidents, often leading to serious injuries or fatalities. Injuries may include broken bones, electrocution, falls, and head trauma. These accidents can be caused by malfunctioning equipment, improper use, neglect of safety protocols, or defective parts.
Forklift accidents
Forklift accidents are a common type of accident that can occur on construction sites. They can be caused by poor operation or factors such as faulty equipment or inadequate training. Forklift accidents are hazardous and can lead to serious injury or death for workers operating the equipment. The most common types of forklift accidents involve overturning, being struck by an object, falling from an elevated platform, and collisions with other machines or objects.
Crane accidents
Crane accidents are a type of construction site accident that can result in serious injury or death. They are often caused by improper maintenance or operation of the crane, incorrect assembly, inadequate training, or operator error. Common types of crane accidents include crane tip-overs and collapses, jib overloading, loose hardware, improper rigging, workers being struck by falling objects while operating the crane, and electrocution from contact with overhead power lines.
Ladder accidents
Ladder accidents are a common type of construction site accident. They occur when someone falls off a ladder or is injured while climbing, carrying, or working on one. Injuries can include fractures, cuts, and sprains. Poorly maintained ladders and improper use of safety equipment could be the primary causes of these incidents.
Power tool injuries
Power tool injuries are a common type of construction site accident. These injuries can range from minor flesh wounds to more serious lacerations, amputations, or even death. Power tools can easily cause injury when not operated with caution and proper safety protocol is not followed. Many of these injuries are caused by the negligence of workers failing to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, not wearing the recommended personal protective equipment, and not properly securing power cords.
Failure to warn
Failure to warn occurs when employers fail to provide adequate warnings of potential hazards and dangers present on a worksite. This may include failing to provide workers with proper safety equipment such as hard hats, goggles, or safety harnesses; failure to properly train workers on the use of machinery or hazardous chemicals; or neglecting to post warning signs indicating dangerous areas or activities that could put workers at risk of injury or death.
Inadequate safety equipment, safety measures, and training
Inadequate safety equipment, measures, and training can lead to serious accidents on construction sites. This includes not providing employees with the protective gear they need, such as hard hats, reflective vests, and fall protection equipment; failing to implement proper safety protocols; and not providing adequate safety training to workers so that they know how to work safely in hazardous environments.
Inadequate hazard communication
Inadequate hazard communication on construction sites can lead to serious accidents. Without proper knowledge of the potential hazards, workers are at risk of injury or even death. Poor communication can include failing to provide safety training and not distributing safety materials and guidelines.
Eye and face protection
Eye and face protection is an essential safety measure for construction sites. It helps to protect workers from dangerous dust, particles, chemicals, and other hazards that can cause serious eye and facial injuries while they are on the job. Protective eyewear such as goggles or safety glasses should be worn to prevent objects or debris from hitting the eyes, while face shields and hard hats provide additional protection against flying debris.
Respiratory protection
Respiratory protection is an important safety measure for construction sites, where dust and debris from various operations can cause serious respiratory illnesses. In order to protect workers from inhaling hazardous particles, employers must provide approved respirators that are designed to filter out airborne particles and fumes..
OSHA safety regulations violations
OSHA safety regulations violations relating to construction site accidents can include failure to provide workers with proper safety equipment, inadequate training on hazardous materials, and poor maintenance of work sites. Examples of violations include lack of fall protection, failure to provide adequate respiratory protection, and utilizing outdated or improper tools.
Regardless of how careful a worker may be, construction accidents happen, and injured workers are entitled to recover compensation. Depending on the facts and circumstances of a case, an injured worker may have a worker’s compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit. A visitor to the site may have construction accident claims as well.
Only an experienced Philadelphia construction accident attorney can evaluate a case to determine if a worker may collect workers’ compensation benefits or if another individual has a construction site injury claim against the general contractors or possibly equipment manufacturers. In any case, the injured and their loved ones are entitled to collect money for injuries, lost income, permanent disability, and even death benefits.
The Philadelphia construction accident lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates have years of experience with construction site accidents. Our attorneys will know what type of construction accident claim you may have for injuries or construction worker deaths. They know how to collect fair compensation through either workers’ compensation claims or personal injury lawsuits.
Most Common Construction Accident Injuries
As indicated above, there are many ways by which a construction worker or visitor to a construction site can be injured or killed. Most Philadelphia construction workers are affected by these common types of injuries including:
- brain injuries and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- back injuries
- broken bones
- shoulder injuries
- emotional distress
- nerve damage
- permanent scarring
- amputation
- paralysis
- wrongful death
Regardless of the injury, if you are the victim of construction site accidents or your injury is work-related on the job site, injury victims are entitled to seek compensation from the construction company under Pennsylvania law. Whether your claim is through workers’ compensation insurance or personal injury lawsuits, you are entitled to fair compensation for medical bills, your construction accident injuries, rehabilitation, permanent disability, lost income, or death benefits.
Workers’ Compensation Claim or Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Employees who sustain injuries while working are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under Pennsylvania law. The construction industry like other businesses is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. An injured worker may have a claim against their employer, general contractors and/or a third-party contractor.
Workers’ compensation benefits may possibly be the only means by which an injured worker can recover compensation for injuries, lost wages, rehabilitation, permanent disability or death.
However, in some cases, there may not be a workers’ compensation claim and our experienced Philadelphia construction accident attorney will have to consider a personal injury claim.
For example, you would file a personal injury lawsuit instead of a workers’ compensation claim for common construction accidents if:
- You are a contractor, and therefore ineligible for workers’ comp.
- You are visiting a construction site in a supervisory manner, delivering materials, or working for an outside vendor – in short, when you are not an employee of the construction company.
- You are passing by a construction site (such as walking to work or trying to get to another building in the area) and you are injured due to work at the site.
- You are driving through a construction zone.
- You are driving through road work.
- You were injured by a defective machine or tool or other construction materials on the site.
The personal injury lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates have years of experience. Only a Philadelphia construction accident lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case and determine what type of claim you may have.
What Our Clients Say
Third-Party Claims Arising from Worksite Accidents
Each Philadelphia construction accident has a unique set of facts. In some cases, it’s very clear how the injury was caused, who is responsible, and whether a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit is the best legal method of collecting maximum compensation. However, there are cases where the facts may be a bit more complicated, and after an investigation by either OSHA, an insurance company or a Philadelphia construction accident lawyer, it may be revealed that a third party is a negligent party against whom a claim should be made.
For example, you are working on scaffolding and it collapses. You are injured. An investigation may uncover that the scaffolding itself was defective. While you may have thought you had a workers’ compensation claim, it may turn out that you have a personal injury claim against the manufacturer of the scaffolding.
It is important that each case be thoroughly investigated and evaluated by both investigators and a Philadelphia construction accident attorney. There are many parties who might have liability in your case including:
- General contractor
- Subcontractors
- Property and/or site owner
- Architects and Engineers
- Equipment manufacturers
It’s essential that those who have suffered construction accidents don’t attempt to evaluate their own case. The law is complicated and nuanced when it comes to who is responsible for your injuries and what type of claim you may have.