Construction sites are areas with a large amount of activity taking place all at once. Large numbers of workers have various tasks to do, and there is frequently an abundance of heavy machinery, power tools, and other potentially dangerous things present. Additionally, a good portion of construction work is done in locations that pose a danger to construction works – like high up outside a tall building or on scaffolding. The abundance of activity and potentially dangerous objects on construction sites can lead to workers getting injured if something goes wrong.
If you were injured on a construction site, you may be able to file a lawsuit to get compensation for your injuries. Our attorneys provide competent, professional representation and can support you through the entire legal process.
Call Legal Care New Jersey’s construction accident lawyers at (732) 838-9769 to get a free case analysis.
Common Construction Accidents/Injuries in Passaic, NJ
Construction accidents can result in very serious injuries. Working on a construction site requires not just killing on the part of the workers but also adequate safety protection from the construction company. The company needs to make sure the work environment is as safe as possible for the workers when they are on site. A lack of appropriate deference to safety procedures can easily lead to injury on a construction site. Our construction accident lawyers can look at the facts of your case and figure out if the construction company did (or failed to do) something that contributed to your injuries.
Falls
Falls from great heights are one of the “fatal four” construction injuries, alongside electrocution, being struck by something, and getting caught in between something.
Falling from a great height may result in death regardless of how effective safety procedures and equipment are supposed to be. At a certain point, there is nothing that can be done. However, falls from heights that are not fatal can still be prevented by appropriate safety gear and precautions. Falls can result in broken bones, brain injuries, and even cuts or stab wounds if the construction worker lands on a sharp object.
Electrocution
Many construction sites involve working around exposed electrical wires or other sources of high voltage. Inappropriate management of live wires in a building or power sources for construction equipment can result in workers getting electrocuted and seriously injured. A construction worker could suffer electrical burns and severe damage to internal organs. Electrocution can also cause heart attacks.
Blunt Trauma
Getting struck by a heavy object is also a leading cause of death on construction sites. This is one of the reasons that hard hats are ubiquitous for construction workers. In addition to potentially fracturing the skull or damaging the neck, getting struck in the head by a heavy object like a tool or piece of debris can result in a traumatic brain injury. A TBI may result in migraines, mood swings, permanent cognitive deficiencies, or the loss of basic motor skills.
Crushing Injuries
Crushing injuries happen when a body part is trapped, jammed, or otherwise stuck between two objects. This is particularly prone to happen at construction sites because there is an abundance of heavy machinery, large pieces of debris, and other heavy objects that could trap and crush parts of the body. Crushing injuries can cause fractures, internal bleeding, and nerve damage. Additionally, crushing injuries can also lead to infection in the affected area. If a limb gets infected or is extremely damaged, it may need to be amputated.
Exposure to Hazardous Materials
Many construction projects use hazardous chemicals and substances out of necessity to accomplish their goal. Examples of hazardous substances that may be present in a construction site include solvents used in paints and paint remover, strong cleaning agents, large amounts of dust, and outdated building materials like lead or asbestos. If construction workers are not provided with appropriate protective equipment, they could be exposed to these dangerous substances and develop lifelong, fatal conditions.
Who to Sue in a Passaic, NJ Construction Accident Lawsuit
Many injuries on construction sites are covered by workers’ compensation, an alternative remedy to a lawsuit. You may think that that prevents you from filing a lawsuit after a construction-related injury. However, that is not the case. There are a number of possible reasons you may wish to file a construction accident lawsuit that are not covered by workers’ compensation.
The rare instance that you can sue your employer despite workers’ compensation is when they intentionally injured you on the job. This can be difficult to establish in court, so it is best to discuss your situation with our lawyers if you feel this to be the case.
There are also other parties you may wish to sue for your injuries sustained in a construction accident. For example, if your injury was caused by a problem with a construction vehicle, tool, or other piece of equipment, you can sue the manufacturer of the relevant item for your injuries. Alternatively, if you were working on a building, you might be able to sue the architect/architecture firm or engineer/engineering firm responsible for the construction of the building. Architects and engineers are supposed to take steps to make sure that the structures they work on are safe, even when being worked on. Moreover, you may be able to sue those responsible for the maintenance of the building if it has not been modernized or made safe. For example, if a building made extensive use of asbestos and the building has not been properly updated, an injured worker may be able to file a lawsuit against the party tasked with removing the asbestos.
Talk to Our Passaic, NJ Construction Accident Lawyers Today
The construction accident lawyers from Legal Care New Jersey are ready to discuss your case when you call (732) 838-9769.
