PERSONAL INJURY

New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyer

injured construction worker being checked on

When you work on or visit a construction site, you expect the companies and individuals who own and manage the site to keep it as safe as possible. When they fail to properly maintain the premises, neglect to provide adequate safety equipment, or hire unqualified or untrained workers, they put everyone there at risk of severe injury or death.

If you have been hurt on a construction site, you may be dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost income from time missed at work. But, depending on the underlying circumstances of the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for some or all of these losses, which you can demand through a workers’ compensation claim against your employer or in some cases, a personal injury lawsuit.

At the law firm of Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, we want to help you pursue the compensation and the justice you deserve. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you during a free consultation with New Jersey a construction accident lawyer.

Why Injured Construction Workers Choose Our Law Firm

Since 1929, Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman has been dedicated to fighting for the legal rights of injured people in New Jersey. Our respected team of lawyers makes us the go-to firm for the most challenging and most complex injury cases. We have a particularly strong reputation in the field of workers’ compensation, which we helped pioneer in the state. In fact, our namesake partner Ruth Rabstein was known as “the Dean of the New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Bar” for the many contributions she made to expanding workers’ rights in the state.

With those credentials, it’s perhaps no surprise that four out of every five of our clients have been referred to us by a co-worker, friend, family member, or another lawyer. They know we have the resources and connections to rival any large corporate firm, as well as the personal touch and commitment of a boutique firm.

From our clients

I would recommend Richard Isolde to my family and friends, and he was accommodating in handling our case. He was always available by text, phone calls, and email. Most significantly, he helped us get what we deserved. Richard Isolde is always there for his clients and does whatever he can to get the job done.

Richard Isolde worked very hard on my case, making the impossible possible.
He was able to get the full amount up to the policy limit and then get punitive damages in addition. I understand that is a rare accomplishment. I am grateful for that and I congratulate him. Your firm was recommended to me by a friend and I will pay it forward by recommending him as well as PRA.

I used Mr. (SQ) Lee for a personal injury matter and could not have been any more pleased with his services. He understood my injury and helped me every step of the way. He was courteous and kind and I always felt better after speaking with him. His assistant, Sherrill, was also wonderful and together they made a great team! I would absolutely recommend them, and the firm, to anyone.

Common Types of Construction Site Accidents

Some of the most common types of construction site accidents include:

Transportation accidents

Vehicle accidents are an all-too-common occurrence on a variety of job sites. Forklifts, cranes, and other large vehicles can be particularly dangerous.

Slips, trips, and falls

Slip-and-falls and trip-and-falls can lead to severe or fatal injuries on construction sites. Even a fall from a relatively short height can be devastating, especially given the potentially hazardous equipment found at many construction sites.

Falls from heights

Falls from heights can be even more devastating than falls on the same level. The violent impact of a long fall from a roof, ladder, or scaffold often results in bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, and other severe trauma.

Falling or flying objects

Dropped tools, flying debris, or other objects can strike or crush people with enough force to cause serious, even fatal injuries.

Fires and explosions

Demolition jobs, electrical installations, and many other hazardous construction projects carry the risk of deadly fires or explosions. These serious incidents can result in severe burns, shockwave injuries, and inhalation injuries.

Machinery and equipment accidents

When heavy pieces of construction machinery or equipment are improperly designed, maintained, or operated, everyone in their vicinity is at risk. Machinery and equipment accidents can cause people to be caught in, crushed by, or pinned between mechanical parts.

Hazardous exposure

Exposure to open circuits or other open power sources can lead to electrocution. Toxic chemicals can be dangerous if touched or inhaled. Flammable materials, acidic or alkaline chemicals, and certain insulation materials are other common exposure hazards.

Our Victories

Nursing Home Settlements

Settlements from nursing home neglect cases involving contraction of pressure ulcers, falls with fractures or other injuries and infections have resulted in the following outcomes.

$2M

$2 Million Settlement in SUV Accident Case

A passenger in a SUV suffered a broken neck and other injuries when the vehicle rolled over because of the negligence of the driver and the failure of a tire.

$750K

$750,000 for Defective Product in “Scalding Water Leak” Injury

A delivery driver brought his car in to the dealer for a water leak repair. A week later he returned because the leak continued. He was told to continue driving the car and return a few days later.

$425K

$425,000 for Neck & Spinal Injuries in Missile Silo Clean-up “Missing Floor Fall”

While cleaning up an abandoned US Air Force missile silo, our client fell through an unmarked missing floor in a dark room. He suffered serious neck and spinal injuries, requiring two surgeries.

$4.47M

$4.47 Million in Paralyzing Injury from Swimming Pool Diving Accident

When a 19-year-old woman dove into an above ground swimming pool, she fractured her neck and became a quadriplegic for life. There were no warning signs at the pool, although the law requires diving warnings.

$700K

$700,000 to Diabetic Plumber Injured at Construction Site

Climbing down a ladder, a union plumber stepped on a nail protruding from wood left at a construction site in Jersey City by the general contractor or sub-contractors that had performed framing on the construction site.

$1.1M

$1.1 Million Pre-Trial Settlement for Bus Accident Victim

A construction foreman, driving his pick-up truck south on the NJ Turnpike, was struck from behind by a commercial bus and forced across two lanes of traffic.

$1.4M

$1.4 Million Dollar Settlement in Truck Accident

We obtained a $1.4 million dollar settlement on behalf of a driver whose vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer’s blown-out tire. Our client was driving his company vehicle when the Defendant’s tractor trailer had a tire blowout.

$95K

$95,000 for Man Injured in Auto Accident

A 47-year-old man received $95,000 in a settlement to compensate him for a serious fracture to his right wrist suffered in an auto accident. Although the fracture required surgery, the man made a good recovery from his injury.

$250K

Car accident victim suffering severe injuries awarded $250,000

A New Jersey driver swerved into an improperly installed guardrail/partition which, upon impact, impaled the vehicle and severed our client’s left leg. Despite a series of complex circumstances impacting liability, and our client passing away due to an unrelated medical condition, we settled the case for $250,000.

Injuries Workers on Construction Sites Suffer in Accidents

Accidents at construction sites can lead to injuries such as:

Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
Facial injuries and dental trauma
Scarring and permanent disfigurement
Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
Partial or total paralysis
Shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
Dislocated or broken bones
Traumatic amputation and loss of limb
Caught-in or crushed-by injuries
Hazardous exposure and inhalation injuries
Electric shocks and electrocution
Bruises, burns, lacerations, and puncture wounds
Overexertion or repetitive motion injuries
Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
Hip, leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Other psychological and emotional injuries

$200+ Million

Recovered for Clients

Personal Injury Practice Areas

Attorney Average Years in Practice

The credibility, resources and experience of this firm and our personal injury lawyers reflect directly on the outcome of your case. The reputation of the law firm may even prevent accident claim negotiations from becoming lawsuits.

Contact

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Why Construction Sites Pose Significant Safety Hazards

Society relies on the construction industry to provide safe housing, ensure commercial and professional buildings are up to code and keep our communities growing. But due to the inherently physical nature of work done on construction sites, workers in the field also face some of the most serious safety hazards.

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the fatal injury rate among construction workers is higher than the average fatality rate for workers in all other industries. In a single recent year, the construction industry accounted for roughly one in five worker fatalities nationwide. Many of the most frequently cited OSHA violations occur in the construction industry.

Some of the most common hazards on construction sites include:

Unaddressed spills, leaks, and clutter

Construction work is dangerous enough, but when workers are forced to navigate wet, slick, or cluttered areas while trying to do their jobs, the risk of slips, trips, or falls is even higher.

Inadequate supervision and training

Construction workers who are expected to do dangerous or specialized work without proper training are highly prone to occupational injuries. Similarly, supervisors must ensure that the workers under them are provided with adequate training, protective equipment, and safety guidelines.

Lack of personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is essential gear for many construction jobs. When employers, general contractors, or managers fail or refuse to provide appropriate PPE, routine construction work can become harmful or even fatal.

Unsafe and poorly maintained equipment

Workers often rely on large and complex pieces of equipment to complete various construction tasks. When these machines or tools are poorly maintained, inevitable wear and tear can lead to hazardous consequences.

Health and safety code violations

Governmental agencies institute health and safety codes with the intention of preventing workplace accidents and occupational illnesses. When employers fail to follow the regulations, workers can sustain severe injuries.

Scaffolding and trench collapses

Scaffolds and trenches are common on construction sites. When these temporary structures are constructed hastily or carelessly, they can collapse. Scaffolding and trench collapses can result in dangerous falls, crushing injuries, and fatal suffocation.

Hazardous and toxic exposure

Toxic substances such as chemical fumes, asbestos insulation, or smoke leave many construction workers with chemical burns, respiratory illnesses, and fatal cancers. Even sustained exposure to loud noises can result in permanent hearing loss if workers do not receive adequate PPE.

construction worker helping injured coworker

Your Legal Options After a Construction Accident in New Jersey

If you or someone close to you suffered a construction accident injury, you might be wondering about your legal options. Depending on the specifics of the incident, you may have grounds for:

A workers’ compensation claim – Employers in New Jersey must provide workers’ compensation coverage to their employees, with very few exceptions. If you are a qualifying employee who was injured on the job, you could file a claim against your employer’s insurance policy for workers’ compensation benefits.
A third-party negligence claim – If a third party such as a negligent motorist, equipment manufacturer, or property owner contributed to your injuries, you might be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance policy.

Compensation Available from a Workers’ Compensation Claim

The types of benefits you could recover in a workers’ compensation claim can be divided into the following five categories:

Medical benefits

These benefits cover the costs of any reasonable and necessary medical care you require to treat your work-related condition. That includes expenses for ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, prescription medications, and durable medical equipment.

Temporary disability benefits

If your condition temporarily prevents you from doing your usual job or returning to work at all, these benefits can cover a portion of your lost wages. Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits provide up to 70 percent of your average weekly pre-injury wages. TTD benefits are subject to statewide maximums that fluctuate year to year. You can receive temporary disability benefits for up to 400 weeks or until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), whichever is sooner.

Permanent disability benefits

If your injury prevents you from ever returning to work at full capacity, or your injury affects your activities of daily living, you could be entitled to permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. PPD benefits are available for up to 600 weeks or certain statutory amounts. If your injury is so severe that you cannot return to work in any capacity, you could be entitled to permanent total disability (PTD) benefits. PTD benefits are paid for life.

Job displacement benefits

If your injury prevents you from ever performing your old job again and your employer does not have any alternative or light-duty work available, you could be entitled to supplemental job displacement benefits. These benefits can help you pay for the education or training necessary to develop the skills you need for other types of work.

Death benefits

If a worker dies due to a workplace injury or illness, the surviving family members may be entitled to financial support in the form of workers’ compensation death benefits. These benefits can pay for reasonable funeral expenses and provide dependents with up to 70 percent of the worker’s average weekly wages.

Compensation Available in a Third-Party Construction Injury Lawsuit

If you’re eligible to file one, a third-party personal injury lawsuit can compensate you for a wider range of losses than a workers’ comp claim. Depending on the specifics of your case, you could potentially recover money for:

Past and future medical expenses associated with the treatment of your injuries
The total value of lost wages from any time you missed at work due to the injury
Projected losses in your future earning potential, if the injury left you disabled
Pain, suffering, and lost quality of life due to the injury

Deadlines for Filing a Claim After a New Jersey Construction Accident

Strict time limits govern most injury claims, including workers’ comp claims and personal injury lawsuits in New Jersey. Here are some of the most critical filing deadlines to keep in mind after a construction accident:

If you are injured on the job, notify your employer of the injury within 90 days of the accident to protect your right to claim workers’ compensation. The earlier you notify your employer, the higher the likelihood that you’ll receive benefits.
If you eventually decide to file a workers’ compensation claim, you must do so within two years of the date of your initial injury.
If you wish to file a personal injury lawsuit, you must do so within two years of the date of your initial injury under state law.

Can Injured Undocumented Construction Workers Recover Benefits?

Yes, undocumented construction workers in New Jersey are entitled to claim workers’ comp benefits when they are injured on the job. Established New Jersey case law holds that all workers who sustain on-the-job injuries have the same rights to workers’ compensation as U.S. citizens and legal residents.

Unfortunately, some employers may still attempt to deny coverage or even threaten to report undocumented workers who demand benefits. If this happens to you, keep in mind that you cannot be deported for filing a workers’ comp claim, and you may still be entitled to benefits if your employer insists that you are an independent contractor. Contact an experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyer to learn more about your rights.

How Working with a Lawyer Could Help Your Case

The dedicated legal team at Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman can provide the support you need after a construction site accident by:

Addressing your concerns and explaining your legal options during a free consultation
Investigating the construction site accident to identify valuable evidence
Determining which parties may be liable for the construction accident
Communicating with third parties such as employers, insurance adjusters, and corporate construction attorneys on your behalf
Interviewing eyewitnesses and retaining experts for valuable testimony
Negotiating aggressively to maximize your financial settlement
Taking your case to trial and representing you in court, if necessary

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

At Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, we do not charge you any fees upfront to start work on your personal injury case. We will review your case for free, with no obligation to you. If we believe you have a claim for compensation, we will do all the legal legwork with no out-of-pocket cost to you. When we recover compensation for you, our fee then comes as a percentage of that. If we don’t win, you don’t pay us. It’s that simple.

Get Help from Our NJ Construction Accident Lawyers Now

The knowledgeable New Jersey construction accident attorneys at Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman can help you demand the compensation you are owed. Contact our firm today for a free case review to tell us your story during an initial strategy session.