Why Hire Rich Godshall for Your Construction Injury
Rich Godshall was raised blue collar by a family of union workers. His dad is a disabled union carpenter who was hurt at work because of a dangerous scaffold. Rich’s grandparents were union plumbers and laborers, his uncles are union steamfitters and drywallers, and his cousins are union painters.
Immediately out of law school, Rich worked defending general contractors, subcontractors, construction managers and architects in injury claims. He handled and resolved some of the largest Pennsylvania construction injury claims for these various contractors for almost a decade. During this time, Rich chaired the Construction Workplace Safety subcommittee for the largest research institute for defense attorneys and insurance companies. These positions enabled Rich to understand, first-hand, the interaction of various contractors on a job site, laws that these contractors use to protect themselves when a worker is injured, and OSHA safety rules that must be followed (but often are ignored).
For the last ten years, Rich completely changed his practice and now only represents people who are injured, including workers injured on a job site. His personal injury firm has grown to 10 lawyers, 40 employees, and 9 offices across Pennsylvania.
Rich’s family background and professional experience offer a unique perspective on what an injured worker and his family are going through. His family background provides a personal perspective on how a family feels when a loved one is injured at work, and his professional experience allows him to anticipate what those at fault will do to try to avoid responsibility.
Below is the link to Rich’s television commercial that discusses his dad’s workplace injury, and how it ultimately shaped the direction of his career:
Construction Jobsite Injuries Are Preventable
According to OSHA, one in ten construction workers are injured each year. Most injuries are preventable had the proper safety mechanisms and training been in place. Studies suggest that over 80% of construction job site injuries could have been prevented with the appropriate safety training and related protocols. With this, it is no surprise that statistics prove that construction companies spend more money on injury-related expenses compared to upfront money spent on safety training.
Rich and his team of construction accident attorneys in Pennsylvania are OSHA-certified. We understand the complexities of a workplace accident and have the experience and resources to respond.
What To Do if You Are Hurt on a Construction Site
If you are hurt on the job site, you should notify your shop steward or union representative as soon as possible. Depending on your injury, medical attention needs to be a priority. Whether it is you (if able) or a co-worker, take photographs or video of the accident scene, including any tools or equipment involved. A list of all witnesses is important as well.
Given the ever-changing nature of a construction site and the number of contractors that may be involved, retaining an attorney early in the process is recommended. While you are in the hospital getting better, those responsible for your injuries have access to the area where you were hurt and related information. An experienced attorney understands this and will respond immediately and aggressively. A seasoned construction injury attorney in Pennsylvania will investigate your accident, interview witnesses, retain experts to assist in building your case, ensure all evidence is preserved and tested (if needed), and quickly identify the contractors potentially responsible for the dangerous job site condition that caused the accident.
With 10 lawyers, 40 employees and 9 offices across Pennsylvania, Rich and his team can get anywhere across the State within 24 hours of being retained.
Construction Accidents Are Complex
Construction sites are complex. There are multiple levels of contractors, owners, construction managers, and design professionals at every project. Hiring a Pennsylvania lawyer who understands the interplay between each entity at a job site is essential to ensuring the injured person and their family are protected after a construction accident.
Construction injury claims are not just about proving the injury. An experienced lawyer is familiar with the safety rules that govern the job site. Our team is experts in the law related to contract claims between contractors and other job site professionals, locating and triggering the right insurance policies, and anticipating and defeating the most common defenses used to deny or minimize the recovery for the injured person and his family. Call our Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers to discuss your legal options.
