Even if you follow every safety rule and stay alert at all times, there’s always a risk that a small mistake or malfunction at a construction site could lead to an accident with catastrophic repercussions. Any construction worker, employer, or supplier who acts negligently at a worksite increases that risk. They could be legally liable for any injuries and losses they directly cause through their misconduct.
However, civil lawsuits and settlement demands for construction accidents can be complex, requiring help from a seasoned injury attorney. For the best chances of success in your case, contact a Philadelphia construction accident lawyer at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers. Founding Partner Jon Ostroff, Managing Partner Rich Godshall, and the rest of our team are no strangers to these cases. We have won compensation for clients in all 67 counties of Pennsylvania, including one case involving a $1.2 million settlement for a client who suffered serious burns from an electrical shock on the job.
Who Could Be Liable for a Construction Accident?
Some construction workers in Philadelphia are covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation if they experience an on-the-job injury or illness. Workers’ comp coverage allows you to get repaid for specific out-of-pocket financial losses—usually medical bills, a portion of lost wages, and certain other benefits—without having to prove anyone was specifically at fault for causing your injuries.
However, suppose you suffered an accident as a contract worker or visitor on a construction site or that negligence by someone other than your employer or one of their employees was the direct and primary cause of your accident. In that case, a lawsuit might be your best path forward. In this scenario, you and your Philadelphia attorney must prove that someone else was negligent—in other words, that they acted recklessly or carelessly in a way no reasonable person would have—and that their negligence directly led to the construction accident and injuries.
Potentially liable parties in situations like this can include:
- Other contract workers
- A company that provided untrained or unqualified labor
- A manufacturer who provided defective tools or machinery
- A supply company that didn’t transport materials safely
Your seasoned Philadelphia construction accident lawyer can discuss your legal options during a free consultation.
Getting Paid for a Construction Injury in Philadelphia
While workers’ comp only allows you to get paid for a few “economic” losses, a lawsuit or settlement demand after a construction accident can also pay for “non-economic” forms of harm like physical pain and emotional trauma. You can also demand restitution for long-term losses like future medical bills, lost ability to work, and loss of life’s pleasures.
If someone causes an accident on a construction site due to egregious or malicious behavior, a court might make them pay additional punitive damages as well. However, this is pretty rare and reserved for extreme situations, as an experienced construction injury lawyer at our firm can explain.
Talk to a Philadelphia Construction Accident Attorney Today
Construction is one of the most important industries in Philadelphia and, unfortunately, one of the most dangerous to work in as well. If an accident on a construction site has left you with severe injuries, understanding and enforcing your legal rights might be the best way to preserve your future.
A conversation with a Philadelphia construction accident lawyer is the first step in getting the payments you need. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to set up a consultation. You will not pay us anything until we win compensation on your behalf, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.
