Over 1 Billion Recovered For Our Clients

Helping New York and New Jersey Injury Victims for over 39 Years.

Best-Law-Firms
Lawyer of Year
Best Lawyers Logo
Avvo Rating 2

New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyers

construction site accidentDespite many decades of improved safety standards, many workers are killed or seriously injured in the construction industry every year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In 2021, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry. Just over one-third of construction deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips. Of these, almost all were from falls to a lower level. The construction industry accounted for 46.2 percent of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2021.” Roughly 150,000 construction workers are injured in accidents in the United States each year.

The injuries sustained in construction accidents can range from mild to extremely severe. Most construction accidents are completely preventable. They tend to involve situations where safety regulations are not being properly followed. If you or someone that you care about was injured in a New Jersey construction accident, you may have legal recourse. The New Jersey construction accident lawyers at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. are here for you. We can investigate the unique facts of your case free of charge and let you know if you have a claim that can be pursued. You can reach out to our office anytime at 800-529-9997.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents

Construction accidents are often complex events and may involve a variety of different factors. Companies that complete construction projects are often placed under very strict deadlines. Failing to meet these deadlines can result in additional costs for all parties involved. It is therefore not surprising that a number of construction projects involve time-saving and cost-cutting strategies that may jeopardize worker safety. There are several common causes of construction accidents.

  • Falls: Falls from heights remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the construction industry. This can include instances where workers fall from roofs, ladders, scaffolding, or other elevated surfaces.
  • Struck by Objects: In addition to falls, workers are vulnerable to being injured by falling tools, equipment, or materials. These accidents may involve instances where worksites lack proper safety barriers.
  • Caught-in/between: Workers may be injured if they are caught in or between machinery or collapsing structures. Many of these accidents involve equipment being improperly used.
  • Electrocutions: Contact with live wires is a serious hazard for workers, especially if they lack adequate protective equipment. Electrocutions may also take place due to faulty electrical equipment or a lack of ground-fault circuit interrupters.
  • Trench Collapses: Trenches can collapse unexpectedly in a number of different situations. In particular, trench collapses are more likely when the outer walls of trenches lack adequate shoring.
  • Hazardous Materials: Not all of the injuries sustained at construction sites are immediately obvious. When workers are exposed to hazardous materials for long periods, they could develop long-term health complications such as cancer.

Accidents in the construction industry are costly for everyone. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Construction injuries cost $11.5 billion, with $4 billion in fatalities (40%) and $7 billion in nonfatal injuries, primarily driven by cases with days away from work.” This burden is felt disproportionately by workers and their families. It is therefore essential that construction companies do everything in their power to maintain safety standards and keep workers safe.

How To Prevent Construction Accidents

Construction workers face a variety of hazards and challenges to their own safety. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Construction is a high-hazard industry that comprises a wide range of activities involving construction, alteration, and/or repair. Construction workers engage in many activities that may expose them to serious hazards, such as falling from rooftops, unguarded machinery, being struck by heavy construction equipment, electrocutions, silica dust, and asbestos.” What follows are a number of strategies that construction companies should use to prevent construction accidents.

  • Strict Adherence to Safety Standards: One of the best strategies for keeping workers safe is strict adherence to safety protocols. This includes ensuring that workers are given all of the personal protective equipment (PPE) that they need, such as gloves, safety glasses, helmets, and personal fall arrest systems.
  • Comprehensive Training Programs: Adequate training is the foundation for accident prevention and ensuring a safe workplace. Individual workers should be trained to identify potential hazards. Additionally, safety managers and project managers must do everything in their power to ensure that regulations are being followed.
  • Regular Safety Inspections: Routine safety inspections can help identify potential hazards that could lead to accidents. These inspections are particularly important for heavy machinery such as cranes, trenches, and scaffolds.
  • Use of Modern Technology: Construction companies can use modern technology to enhance the safety of construction sites. Ideally, construction equipment should have safety features that reduce the risk of human error. Drones can also be used to survey hazards so that a person isn’t put at risk.
  • Clear Communication Channels: Poor communication between workers is a major contributing factor to many construction accidents. It is crucial that workers maintain clear communication channels for reporting hazards, emergencies, and other incidents.
  • Equipment and Site Maintenance: It is important that construction sites are maintained in a reasonably safe condition so as to prevent accidents. It is equally important that the equipment workers use is also maintained. Construction sites routinely use heavy equipment, and when it is not properly maintained, it may malfunction.

Construction companies should always do their best to foster a safety culture. Every worker should feel responsible both for their own safety and the safety of others. In companies that don’t value safety, workers may feel intimidated to speak up if they see safety violations. This is particularly true when upper management creates unsafe working conditions. Workers should always be encouraged to report unsafe working conditions and rewarded for adhering to safety standards.

Liability For New Jersey Construction Accidents

When a construction worker is injured or killed on the job, they or their family will typically have recourse through the state’s worker’s compensation system. All construction companies in New Jersey are required to purchase worker’s compensation insurance. This insurance covers all workers, regardless of who would be deemed at fault. In addition to worker’s compensation, an injured worker or their family may have recourse through a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible when an entity separate from a worker’s employer is responsible for an accident. There could be numerous sources of third-party liability following any construction accident.

  • Subcontractors: If a subcontractor’s negligence or unsafe practices caused an accident, they could potentially be held liable. Examples of negligence may include failing to follow safety protocols or exposing workers to hazardous conditions.
  • Product Manufacturers: The company that manufactured the equipment used at a construction site could be liable for an accident, through a product liability claim. This may be possible if equipment has some type of design defect, such as a lack of required safety guardrails.
  • Property Owners: A person or company that owned a piece of property could be held liable for a construction accident if it was not maintained in a reasonably safe condition.
  • Engineers and Architects: Construction companies routinely rely on the work of engineers or architects. When these professionals make errors in design or fail to properly supervise a construction project, this could result in liability.
  • General Contractors: If a general contractor fails to enforce safety regulations, they could be liable. This could include instances where they fail to provide equipment or safety training to workers.

Construction sites are typically made up of a blend of different companies that are all working together towards the same goal. There could potentially be numerous liable parties. Navigating liability for construction accidents in New Jersey requires a thorough understanding of numerous laws, safety regulations, and all responsible parties involved. It is crucial that accident victims seek legal advice as early as possible.

Steps to Take After A New Jersey Construction Accident

Construction accidents can be extremely overwhelming for accident victims and their families. Workers may need to step away from their jobs for extensive periods. They may also be left with high medical bills. It is relatively common for injured workers to sustain permanent damage that impacts their ability to perform everyday activities. Any person injured in a New Jersey construction accident should take a number of measures in order to protect their safety and legal rights.

  • Seek Medical Attention: It is important for workers to seek medical attention after any workplace accident. Likewise, it is important for workers to let their doctors know that their injury occurred on the job.
  • Report the Accident: Injured workers should report their accidents to their employer as soon as possible. This will help create an official record that can be used in worker’s compensation claims down the road.
  • Document the Scene: If possible, it is a good idea to document the scene of any construction accident. This will include taking photos and collecting witness information.
  • Keep Detailed Records: Workers should maintain detailed records of all medical treatments, expenses, and reports related to the incident. These documents may be extremely useful in the event of litigation.
  • Consult an Attorney: An attorney can help workers understand their legal rights and navigate the aftermath of a construction accident. They can also determine if there is third-party liability for what happened.

Legal representation can significantly enhance your ability to receive fair compensation for an accident. Construction companies, general contractors, and property owners will often do everything that they can to evade responsibility if a worker is injured on the job. They may seek to blame each other or even the victim. In the event that they cannot escape responsibility, they have a direct incentive to pay victims as little as possible. By contrast, attorneys have an incentive to help victims get as much compensation as possible.

Getting Legal Help After A New Jersey Construction Accident

teamThe New Jersey construction accident lawyers at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. understand how difficult it can be to experience a construction accident. These incidents can impact a person’s ability to be gainfully employed and take care of their families. This is why our law firm fights so hard to ensure that victims of construction accidents are fairly compensated.

In fact, we have consistently achieved record-breaking verdicts and settlements for workers. This includes a $7.5 million settlement for a construction worker who fell from a Bobcat, a $6 million settlement for a worker injured in a scaffold fall, and a $5 million settlement for a construction worker injured in a cable trip accident. If you or someone that you love has been injured in a construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here for you. You can contact us anytime for a risk-free consultation at 800-529-9997.

FAQ’s

How many people are injured in construction accidents every year?+
What is the most common cause of construction accidents? +
How can construction accidents be prevented? +
Are construction workers covered by worker’s compensation? +
Who could be liable for a construction accident?+
How much does it cost to hire a construction accident attorney?+

New Jersey Office

Free Case Evaluation

background Image
  • Disclaimer | Privacy Policy

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Pages

Our Clients Love Us

Hear Their Stories

5/5
Google

I was injured in 2011 and spent nearly 8 years with Ed Gersowitz and Jeff Korek. Their professionalism and care was beyond. The process was long and at times exhausting…

Jeremy N.

5/5
Google

GLK provided excellent services for my lawsuit. I would work with them again and recommend them highly for anyone looking for a law firm that is attentive and responsive to clients’ needs. And they provided great results!

Ann Marie Baranowski

Need Help with an Injury?

We're Here to Help. Contact Us Today

"*" indicates required fields

Agree To Terms*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.