Construction work is inherently dangerous, and the injuries that result from a construction accident can be severe and, in some cases, fatal. Recovering compensation after suffering a construction injury can be a difficult process. In many cases, Workers’ Compensation does not provide enough benefits to cover recovery costs.
An experienced construction injury lawyer can be helpful in recovering the compensation you need. Construction injury lawsuits are unlike typical personal injury cases because they take place on the job and New Jersey laws restrict certain paths to recovery and who you can recover from. However, if negligent behavior caused your construction injury, a lawsuit might be the best option to recover the compensation you are entitled to.
If you have suffered a construction injury, our Elizabeth construction injury lawyers can help you recover the damages you deserve. For a free case review, call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083.
Common Types of Construction Injuries in Elizabeth, NJ
Construction accidents are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in Elizabeth. According to OSHA, construction accidents are also the leading cause of workplace fatalities amongst any industry. The following are some common types of injuries caused by construction accidents in Elizabeth:
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are unfortunately all too common in construction accidents. Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating, and the effects can be life-altering. These injuries are usually caused when employers fail to offer fall protection on sites, good ladders, adequate scaffolding, or when the victim has inadequate fall protection training. You could suffer a spinal cord injury in a construction accident in many other ways, and even a fall from a low height could be disastrous.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are also a common type of injury caused by construction accidents in Elizabeth. Many accidents that cause spinal cord injuries are the same that result in brain injuries. Brain injuries can also be caused by falling objects or defective headwear. Traumatic brain injuries are severe, and victims often need lifelong medical attention.
Electrical Injuries
Electrocutions and electric burns account for numerous construction injuries in Elizabeth. According to OSHA, electrical injuries are a common cause of construction injuries to workers. Electrical burns can leave catastrophic injuries, and electrocution could easily prove fatal. The injuries could also have a long-term impact on regular brain and neural functioning, profoundly affecting the victim’s life.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are a very common type of construction accident injuries. Machine maintenance and improper machine guarding are among the leading causes of construction injuries. The damage that construction machinery can cause to soft tissue can be horrific. In some construction accidents, a soft tissue injury could result in the loss of a limb or the total loss of use in one. Our Elizabeth construction injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your injuries.
Receiving Compensation After a Construction Injury in Elizabeth, NJ
Elizabeth employers are required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance for injuries that occur on a construction site. Most employers would prefer that construction accident victims get their benefits through the Workers’ Compensation system since Workers’ Compensation is no-fault insurance, meaning you will receive benefits for your construction accident regardless of who is at fault. The benefits Workers’ Compensation provides, however, could be insufficient to cover the costs of your damages.
Workers’ Compensation only provides benefits to cover economic damages you sustain in your construction accident, like medical expenses and lost wages from missed time at work. Workers’ Compensation does not provide additional non-economic damages, like mental and physical pain and suffering. Filing a construction injury lawsuit will be necessary to recover the total compensation you could be entitled to.
In most cases, Workers’ Compensation laws prevent construction accident victims from filing a lawsuit against their employer. However, an employer that acted grossly negligent or failed to follow safety regulations can be held accountable if they cause a construction accident. You could also file a lawsuit against an employer that failed to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance. Our Elizabeth construction injury lawyers can help you determine if a lawsuit is the best option for your case.
Who Could Be Held Liable for a Construction Injury in Elizabeth, NJ
Several parties could be liable for your construction injuries, depending on how the accident occurred. If the negligence of one of the following parties contributed to causing your construction injuries, you have the right to sue them in Elizabeth:
Third-Party Contractors
Most construction injury lawsuits result from another construction worker’s negligence. Third-party contractors can include subcontractors, suppliers, drivers, and manufacturers. Other workers should use reasonable care while doing their tasks and can be held responsible for the construction injuries caused by their negligence.
Employers
In many cases, construction accident victims will not be able to sue their employers directly. Workers’ Compensation provides benefits that cover certain expenses and prevents lawsuits against employers as part of the compensation process. However, an employer can be held liable for grossly negligent or intentional acts that cause a construction accident, like failing to provide adequate equipment and training. You can also file a lawsuit against an employer that does not provide Workers’ Compensation insurance to cover the damages from your injuries.
Product Manufacturers
Product manufacturers can also be held liable for injuries caused by their defective equipment. Construction workers rely on countless tools to effectively do their jobs, and many of those tools are powerful, large, and inherently dangerous. When a product does not work properly or as it was marketed, catastrophic injuries can result. The manufacturer could be held liable even if the mistake occurred in the product’s design, manufacturing, or marketing phase. Our Elizabeth construction injury lawyers can help you seek compensation from the party responsible for your injuries.
Our Elizabeth, NJ Construction Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you have been injured because of a construction accident, our dedicated Elizabeth construction injury lawyers are ready to provide you with your free case assessment. Call The Carrion Law Firm today at (718) 841-0083.