Cherry Hill Construction Accident Lawyer

Anyone in the construction industry already knows it is dangerous work. On a daily basis, these individuals are dealing with hazardous machinery, heavy equipment, and elevated work sites.

Accidents can happen when safety protocols are overlooked or equipment malfunctions, causing devastating injuries. In many cases, these accidents can impair a person’s health, livelihood, and financial stability.

You may be entitled to compensation if you’ve been injured in a construction accident in New Jersey.

At Folkman Law, we know you want to get back on your feet and out of these financial burdens. Find out how our Cherry Hill construction accident lawyer can assist during this challenging time.

How Do Construction Accidents Happen?

According to information collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), one in five workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry in 2022.

Since there are dangers at these job sites, even a slight misstep can lead to serious injury. Some of the most common reasons for these accidents include:

• Falls: Unsecured scaffolding, faulty ladders, or lack of safety harnesses could cause a worker to slip and fall. As a result, that can lead to broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or head trauma. Out of the BLS accident statistics from above, 38% of construction fatalities were caused by slips, trips, and falls.
• Falling objects: Workers can be struck by tools, building materials, or debris that are not secured, and they can fall. That can lead to injuries in these situations, especially when the proper protective gear is not provided.
• Heavy machinery accidents: All operators need to be trained to operate heavy equipment. When there is misuse or a malfunction of equipment, workers could suffer from crushing injuries, limb amputations, and fatalities.
• Electrocutions: Workers could unexpectedly come into contact with live electrical wires, power lines, or defective equipment. Often, that can cause serious shocks or burns.
• Trench and structure collapse: Unstable excavations or improperly supported structures can lead to cave-ins. Unfortunately, that can trap or crush workers.
• Exposure to hazardous substances: Sometimes, workers do not have the proper protection against toxic chemicals. Exposure to asbestos, lead, or chemicals causes respiratory issues or long-term health problems.
• Repetitive stress injuries: Constant physical exertion can lead to chronic injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, and joint problems.

While steps should be taken to prevent these issues, there are times when workers become seriously hurt on the job. If that has happened to you, make sure to know your legal rights and options for compensation.

New Jersey Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury Claims

If you have been injured on a job site in Cherry Hill, you have two options: workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim.

With a workers’ comp claim, you can receive benefits no matter who was at fault. Some of the benefits include:

• Medical expenses: Coverage for necessary treatments, medications, surgeries, and rehabilitation costs.
• Temporary Disability Benefits: Wage replacement while recovering from the injury.
• Permanent Disability Benefits: Compensation for partial or total permanent disability.
• Death benefits: Financial support for the surviving family members if the worker’s injuries were fatal.

While the above benefits can provide a financial lifeline when you have been injured, they do not cover all expenses, such as pain and suffering.

If a third party’s actions, such as those of an equipment manufacturer, property owner, or subcontractor, led to the incident that injured you, you may be able to file a third-party claim. A personal injury lawsuit can recover additional damage resulting from the accident.

Filing a civil lawsuit like this can enable you to seek compensation for:

• Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional pain resulting from the injury.
• Loss of enjoyment of life for damages that affected it.

Under some circumstances, you may receive punitive damages. These may be awarded by a jury if you case goes to trial in Camden County. However, it’s worth noting that punitive damages are only awarded if the jury finds that the third party was extremely reckless in their actions.

You will want to reach out to a Cherry Hill construction accident lawyer to discuss the circumstances of your case to better understand what types of damages you may be entitled to yourself.

What Challenges Could You Face in Pursuing a Construction Injury Case in South Jersey?

These cases can become very complicated, especially if multiple parties could be at fault. Often, these issues center around:

• Liability: Since construction sites often have several contractors and subcontractors, it can be hard to determine who was responsible for maintaining safety standards.
• Shifting blame: Defendants may argue that you are at fault for the accident. As a result, that can reduce their liability under the law.
• Proving negligence: You will need plenty of evidence to show that a third party was liable for the accident. In these cases, your legal team must conduct an extensive investigation into the incident.
• Workers’ compensation: While workers’ comp covers your medical and lost wages, it may not provide adequate compensation for noneconomic damages, such as emotional trauma.

If you are looking for a way to overcome these challenges, you need to reach out to a skilled Cherry Hill construction accident lawyer. We can help you counter these pitfalls that could affect your compensation.

Protecting Yourself After You Were Injured on an NJ Building Site

If you’ve been injured on a construction site, you need to take immediate action. With that, you can strengthen your claim and improve your chances of getting fair compensation:

• Always report the accident: You will want to notify your employer or supervisor immediately. If there are any delays, that can impact your workers’ compensation eligibility. You need to make sure the accident is documented.
• Get medical help: Even if the injuries seem minor, you will want to be treated on the scene or seek help from your healthcare provider. Some issues might not be immediately evident. Plus, getting checked out will provide you with the proper documentation of your injuries.
• Document the accident scene: If you have the chance, you may want to take photos or videos of the incident scene. Keep in mind that sometimes equipment or hazards could be removed. When you have documented evidence, then that can show the conditions that led to the accident.
• Get witness information: if anyone saw the accident, make sure to collect their names and contact details. Their statements can corroborate your account of the incident and the conditions on-site.
• Consult a Cherry Hill construction accident attorney: In any case, you may want to retain the services of a skilled lawyer. They can help walk you through the process and help you determine whether you can proceed with a personal injury lawsuit. With their help, you may be able to seek maximum compensation for your injuries.

If you are considering taking legal action, you may want to follow these steps. With these tips, you can prevent complications that could derail the financial recovery process.