New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyers

A Law Firm That Has Been Helping Injured Workers Since 1927

Construction is dangerous work. There are rules and regulations that need to be followed to keep workers safe. Even when all these procedures are followed, accidents can happen that leave workers seriously injured. The experienced workers’ compensations attorneys at Shebell & Shebell, LLC fight to help the injured get the benefits they deserve.

Graphic regarding construction worker deaths by falling There are many dangers on construction sites. Workers use heavy equipment and power tools. They sometimes work high above the ground on ladders or scaffolding. Objects can fall from high places. Heavy materials are transported and put into place, including bricks, boards and steel beams. Debris and uneven surfaces can cause slip and falls. An accident can have serious health consequences for workers.

An injury impacts workers and their families. The worker can’t go back to the construction site, so there is a loss of income. In the meantime, the medical expenses for treating injuries keep adding up. The usual bills don’t stop coming in – housing, car payments, credit cards. The financial situation for families can get pretty tough.

What are common construction site accidents?

Statistically, falls from height cause the most injuries and are the most common type of construction accident. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported falls were responsible for 38.7 percent of the total deaths in construction in 2016. Falls from height can happen anywhere on the job site, but they happen most frequently on ladders and scaffolding.

Other common construction site accidents involve:

Fires and explosions. Construction sites are filled with flammable and combustible materials. When a fire or an explosion occurs, workers can suffer burn injuries, hearing loss (tinnitus), brain injuries, lost limbs, and more.
Being hit by a falling object, such as debris, a tool, building materials, or a piece of scaffolding. This can result in a severe head injury or a traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion.
Electrocution, which can occur when a construction worker, a tool, or a ladder comes in contact with high voltage power lines or other sources of electricity. Burns, cardiac arrest, muscle damage, nerve damage, seizures, and death are common among those who get electrocuted on the job site.
Getting pinned, stuck, or caught in machinery. Construction sites are filled with heavy machinery and many different types of building materials, which means workers are at risk of having a body part crushed or severed in an entanglement. Construction workers are also at risk of getting pinned underneath or stuck in between pieces of heavy equipment. Common injuries include broken bones, spinal cord damage, brain injury, organ damage, and death.
Trench collapse. When it comes to trenching and underground excavating, cave-ins cause the most construction deaths every year. There are many other hazards involving trenches on the job site, which is why OSHA has strict trenching and excavation rules.
Slip and fall accidents, which can occur because of uncovered holes, uneven surfaces, and by tripping over debris, building materials, or tools. Tripping accidents can also happen in and around trenches.
Vehicle accidents. A construction worker can get hit by a negligent motorist or get into an accident while operating a vehicle for work. Construction workers can also sustain injuries if they get hit or run over by a vehicle being operated by someone else on the job site.
Defective equipment. Whether it’s a nail gun or a forklift, manufacturers have a responsibility to put out safe products. A defect in a tool, machine, or any piece of equipment that’s used by construction workers can have serious and potentially fatal consequences.

What are the steps to take after a construction accident?

Construction sites are dangerous places and pose a hazard to workers in many different ways. If you are injured in a construction accident, knowing what steps to take after can help if you decide to file a workers’ compensation claim.

Here’s what you should do:

Seek immediate medical attention. If you have been seriously injured, have someone call an ambulance so you can go to the emergency room. If you don’t think you’re hurt enough to go to the hospital, get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you don’t have any noticeable pain, some injuries have delayed onset symptoms that can creep up days after your accident.
Notify your employer. As soon as possible, report your injury to your boss or supervisor. While you are legally allowed to give a verbal notice, it’s best to do so in writing. Provide details about what happened and how you were hurt. Waiting too long to report your injury can cause your workers’ compensation claim to be delayed or denied, so this is a crucial step.
Seek witnesses. Get the names and contact information of anyone on the construction site who saw your accident. Eyewitness testimony can help support your claim.
Get pictures. Take clear photographs of the scene to show where your accident occurred. Include pictures of any hazards, machinery, tools, or equipment that were involved in the accident. If you have visible injuries, document those with photos, as well.
Call an attorney. A lawyer can review the details of your case and explain your legal options. Whether it’s filing a workers’ compensation claim or pursuing compensation from a negligent third party, an attorney can advocate for your best interests and guide you through the entire legal process.

What does a construction accident lawyer do?

A construction accident attorney can launch an independent investigation into your accident; file all the necessary paperwork associated with your claim; ensure you meet every mandatory deadline; help you get appropriate medical care and treatment; and represent you in court or in hearings, if necessary. If your workers’ compensation claim was denied, a lawyer may also be able to help you file an appeal.

Work Injury Attorneys Who Fight For Your Best Interests

In New Jersey, injured workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are supposed to cover the cost of their medical treatment and provide partial wages if they are out of work longer than seven days. Employers and their insurance carriers know how to use the system to minimize payments for injured workers.

That’s why you need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can help you fight back. We know how to use the system to help you get the benefits you need and deserve. Our firm handles claims for injured construction workers involving:

Construction work is very physical. So, when a worker is injured, they may be unable to do their job for months. A serious injury, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a spinal cord injury, can Construction workers are 4 x more likely to be killed on the job leave them permanently disabled. The state’s workers’ compensation system is supposed to help injured construction workers in their time of need, but it can be difficult to navigate.

The workers’ compensation claims process sounds simple. You notify your employer that you were injured on the job. Your employer notifies the state’s Division of Workers’ Compensation. After your claim is processed, all the medical treatment you need is approved, and you receive wage benefits until you are ready to return to work.

The process is much more complicated than that. Employers and their insurance companies can dispute claims for benefits. They may question the need for certain tests or treatment. You may be pressured to return to work even though you have not fully recovered from your injuries.

Office In Shrewsbury

Insurance companies have lawyers looking out for their best interests. Our workers’ compensation attorneys fight for what’s best for you. We know the tactics that insurance companies use to minimize your claim. We build strong cases that prove your injuries were work-related and that you deserve benefits.

If your claim is denied, we are prepared to fight for you at every step of the appeals process. We will fight for your benefits in court, if that’s what it takes. Many times, we can settle your claim with the insurance company. Any resolution of your claim must be one that allows you to get the treatment you need, however.

Learn more about how we can help. If you were injured in a construction accident, contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our workers’ compensation attorneys.