Levittown Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction sites are notoriously dangerous, with tall buildings surrounded by precarious-looking scaffolding and large machinery that could easily crush someone, it’s no wonder that we hear about severe accidents occurring. We expect that most employers or site managers will follow all safety protocols, but even if they do, accidents still happen.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that 183 fatal work injuries occurred in 2022, just in Pennsylvania, with 28 of those being in the construction industry. That is 28 individuals whose lives were unnecessarily cut short due to someone else’s negligence, not to mention over 120,000 others who were injured while on the job site that year.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury while working on a building site here, locally or elsewhere in Pennsylvania, our team at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan is ready to discuss your legal options during your free consultation. Contact us to schedule it now.

What Should You Do If You Are Injured?

Employers across the United States, with few exceptions, are required to have insurance coverage in place for unfortunate occasions when accidents occur. If you’re injured while performing required job duties, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim; however, immediately after your accident, you should do the following as quickly as you can:

• Report your accident to your employer
• Seek medical attention
• Collect evidence such as witness statements
• File a workers’ compensation claim
• Contact a Levittown construction accident attorney

According to Pennsylvania laws, an injured employee has 120 days from the date of their injury to file a claim; after that time, there will be no chance of compensation for their injury. Additionally, if an employer denies an employee’s claim, such as in the case of a third party being the cause of the accident, an employee has three years from the date of the incident to file an appeal.

The “Fatal Four” and Their Causes

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) focuses on the main construction injuries, otherwise known as the “fatal fou,r” and even outlines ways to help prevent these top four construction injuries:

• Falls
• Caught-In or -Between
• Struck-By
• Electrocution

Falls, trips, and slips specifically are listed as the third most common cause of workplace injuries, according to the National Safety Council, but of course, many other types of accidents and impairments can occur on construction sites. Most occupational incidents are entirely preventable and are caused by one or more of the following:

• Worker fatigue
• Distractions
• Hazards (either known or unknown)
• Unsafe working conditions
• Inexperienced or improperly trained workers
• Employers who make unsafe choices (such as purchasing cheap materials)
• Defective equipment

It’s important to maintain safe work practices on job sites, using proper protective equipment and checking tools and gear before use, but it’s just as important to understand that sometimes accidents still occur, and when they do, a Levittown construction accident lawyer is just a phone call away.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Injuries Occurring on Jobsites in PA?

In the case of an accident or incident on a construction site, it’s not always easy to determine who is at fault for your injuries. While you may file for workers’ compensation through your employer, there may also be other parties at play who could be responsible for the harm caused to you. Common third-party causes of workplace injuries are:

• Contractors or Subcontractors
• Delivery personnel
• Manufacturers of machinery or parts
• Visitors or passersby

What To Know If You’re Planning To File a Construction Injury Claim

If you decide to pursue a personal injury claim against any of the above-mentioned parties or anyone else who may be liable for the accident that caused your injuries, it’s imperative to the success of your case that you begin the claims process as quickly as possible.

When you work with us at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, you can count on us to help you gather the necessary documentation and evidence and will ensure your claims, both for workers’ compensation and personal injury, are filed within the required deadlines.

Construction accidents and other workplace incident claims can be confusing to manage on your own, so don’t wait another day. Reach out to our office and schedule your free consultation. A Levittown construction accident lawyer from our office is here to help.