Construction Accident Lawyers

February 22, 2023 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
  • Were you injured while working on a construction site?
  • Did you suffer an injury while passing by or visiting a construction site?
  • Did your employer violate federal rules and regulations that resulted in your injury?

Construction accidents are unfortunately common, making the construction industry one of the most dangerous workplaces in the United States. Contractors, subcontractors, workers, and even pedestrians passing by can all suffer serious and lifelong injuries as a result of negligence on construction sites.

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, our construction accident attorneys know how to handle cases involving construction site injuries. These complex accident cases typically involve either workers' compensation claims or personal injury lawsuits. In many cases, multiple parties share the blame for these accidents and for the injuries suffered. 

Our lawyers can help you navigate the claims process easier by taking the legal burdens off your shoulders. This way, you can focus on what truly matters most—your recovery.

Why Choose Our Construction Accident Law Firm?

Why Choose Our Construction Accident Law Firm?

Our construction lawyers know the detailed federal and state regulations specific to construction accident claims. We know how to help injured workers through the workers' compensation process while protecting their rights to file third-party claims. We can also help pedestrians, cyclists, and other visitors injured by a negligent construction company.

Our personal injury lawyers work tirelessly to build a case to collect maximum compensation after a serious construction accident. We know that there are a number of complex liability issues to address before you can obtain the money you need to pay for medical expenses, long-term care, and pain and suffering.

For decades, the construction accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, have helped injured construction workers, individuals, and families through some of their darkest times. While we are a large national law firm with offices around the country, we offer personalized one-on-one support for all our injured clients. That is why so many injured accident victims choose us to represent them.

If you suffered an injury in a construction accident, our lawyers can help. Call us today to begin exploring all your legal options. We can meet with you virtually at this time or in person at one of our many offices and locations. We offer a free initial consultation so that we can learn more about you and your accident, and you can learn about how our firm can be of aid to your case. 

Types of Construction Accident Claims and Lawsuits

If you suffered an injury on a construction site, you deserve compensation for your injuries and suffering. Depending on the nature of your accident, the law can allow you to pursue one or more of the following legal claims.

Workers' Compensation Claims

If you are a construction worker, workers' compensation laws protect you. These laws also protect your employer from liability. When you suffer an injury, you can collect medical benefits and a portion of your lost wages through workers' compensation insurance without proving liability or negligence. Even if you are to blame for your construction accident, you can still collect these benefits.

You can file a workers' compensation claim in conjunction with a third-party claim. You can also file a workers' compensation claim without fear of retaliation or loss of your job. If you have concerns about your claim or feel any pressure to return to work too soon, we can help. Our construction accident injury law firm can help protect your rights and ensure that you are treated fairly during the workers' compensation claims process.

Third-Party Personal Injury Claims

In a personal injury lawsuit, you must prove negligence and fight to obtain compensation. This can take time and requires the skills of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

In construction accidents, construction workers may file a personal injury claim or third-party claim against any other entity other than their employer. Under the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations, general contractors and subcontractors must provide reasonably safe working environments for their employees. A subcontractor who suffered an injury on a job site might file a third-party claim against the general contractor if their negligence caused the accident.

Passing pedestrians, visitors to the job site, cyclists, and neighborhood residents can also file personal injury claims if they suffer an injury because of negligence. Falling debris, fires, and explosions are just some ways individuals can suffer injury near a construction site.

Our attorneys can help you file a third-party claim or personal injury claim against a subcontractor or a construction entity that caused you harm.

Product Liability Claims

If you suffered an injury because of a defective product, machinery, or other faulty construction equipment, you may file a claim against the manufacturer or any party in the chain of distribution. Faulty and defective construction equipment can lead to serious and often fatal accidents. Product liability claims are very different from personal injury claims. As such, you need a law firm that understands these differences and can achieve successful results holding negligent manufacturers accountable.

Wrongful Death Claims

If you lost a loved one in a construction accident, you and your family may file a wrongful death claim to recover damages. While no amount of compensation could ever replace the loss you endured, you and your family should not have to struggle financially because of someone else's negligence. Our construction accident attorneys offer compassionate legal support every step of the way.

Who Is to Blame After a Construction Accident?

After a serious construction accident, multiple parties can share the blame. Even worse, each one of these entities may deny responsibility while pointing the blame elsewhere. That is why our construction accident attorneys take the time to investigate each accident carefully. 

We know that a thorough investigation of medical records and the construction site and the testimony of eyewitnesses can often yield valuable evidence. This evidence helps us identify who is responsible for your accident and injuries.

Potentially liable parties include:

  • Construction site owners
  • General contractors
  • Subcontractors
  • Manufacturers of faulty or defective equipment
  • Third-parties
  • Other employees
  • Architects
  • Engineers

If you believe that a dangerous work environment caused your construction accident, you can file a complaint with OSHA. You have rights as a construction site worker, including the right to ask OSHA to inspect the workplace. You can file this complaint without fear of retaliation or demotion. If you believe your employer retaliated against you after you filed an OSHA complaint or workers' compensation claim, our law firm can help.

What Are the Common Causes of Construction Accidents?

Construction accidents occur for many reasons. Failure to adhere to proper training, safety regulations, and poor policies can result in serious injury and harm.

Some leading causes of construction accidents across the country include:

  • Poor training
  • Improper safety precautions
  • Negligent oversight
  • Falling over material or debris left in a hazardous location
  • Falling from a ladder or unsafe scaffolding
  • Being struck by falling objects, equipment, tools, or material
  • Electrocution from exposed wires
  • Being stuck by moving construction equipment or vehicles
  • Improper handling or storage of hazardous materials
  • Crane accidents
  • Equipment malfunctions or injuries simply caused by the use of dangerous equipment (nail guns, etc.).
  • Compressed gases
  • Mechanical hazards
  • Fires and explosions
  • Misuse of tools

Our construction accident attorneys know that the construction industry is inherently dangerous. But we also know that relaxed attitudes towards safety on many sites and rushed construction schedules cause serious and fatal accidents.

We Help Injured Construction Accident Victims Like You

When you suffer an injury on a construction site; you need a law firm on your side that knows how to help injured accident victims. Our construction accident attorneys know that no two injuries are ever the same. That is why we take a personalized approach to every single case we take. 

From the beginning, we work with your medical team and experts to determine how your injuries will affect your life, your job, and your future. We then use this knowledge and evidence to seek maximum compensation and benefits for you.

Our injury lawyers have successfully represented construction accident victims who suffered injuries, including:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Burns
  • Electrocution injuries
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Fractures
  • Catastrophic injuries
  • Disfigurement and amputation

Our construction accident law firm works hard to make sure you have the money you need to recover. If a full recovery is not an option, we can help you collect long-term benefits and compensation for your disabilities.

Construction Accident Lawyers

What Can a Construction Accident Attorney Do For You?

Construction accidents are complex. When you suffer an injury on a construction site, your legal options are not always immediately clear. Are you able to file a workers' compensation claim? Or should you file a third-party lawsuit? What about a product liability lawsuit? For this reason, it is important to choose an injury law firm with experience handling all of these types of cases.

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, we have the resources needed to tackle these complex construction injury cases from the start. We will investigate your accident to uncover all causes and ensure you receive the compensation and benefits you deserve.

Your time is better spent focusing on your recovery and getting your life back on track. While you attend therapy appointments and treatment sessions, our attorneys will explore all possible avenues to recover compensation and determine the best course of action. From the initial investigation to trial, you can rest assured knowing you have a team of skilled attorneys in your corner fighting for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Accident Cases

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, construction accident victims and their families frequently ask us questions about their rights and options for seeking compensation. We answer some of those questions below. To speak with a member of our team who can answer questions specific to a construction accident that injured you or a loved one, contact us today.

How do I get workers' comp benefits for my construction accident injuries?

It depends on where the accident happened.

Every state has its own rules for how to claim workers' compensation benefits. In some states, your claim for benefits happens more or less automatically when you seek medical treatment for a work-related injury or illness. In other states, you, your employer, or both of you must complete and submit paperwork to make a claim.

The most reliable way to find out how to obtain workers' compensation benefits after getting hurt in a construction accident is to speak with a skilled construction accident injury lawyer.

What construction accident expenses does workers' compensation insurance cover?

Generally speaking, workers' compensation insurance covers:

  • The cost of all reasonably necessary medical care you need to treat your construction accident injuries, including doctor visits, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medication.
  • A portion of the wages you couldn't earn while disabled by your construction accident injuries. The amount of this benefit varies based on the state where you live and on whether your disability is temporary or permanent.
  • If a loved one died in a construction accident, a portion of the income he or she would have earned.

In some states, workers' compensation also pays for job retraining and other services to help you seek new employment after suffering a disabling construction accident injury.

I caused the construction accident that left me injured. Can I still get workers' compensation benefits?

You probably can.

Although the rules differ from state to state, workers' compensation insurance generally pays benefits to injured construction workers, no matter who caused the accident that injured them. Workers can usually collect benefits even if they caused their own injuries, as long as they didn't intentionally harm themselves.

Some states do have exceptions to this general rule, however. Workers may not receive benefits if, for example, they caused a construction accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or if they triggered the accident intentionally.

Speak with an experienced construction site accidents lawyer to learn more about your rights.

What if the workers' compensation insurance company denies my claim?

No matter where your construction accident happened, you have the right to appeal the denial of your workers' compensation claim. In an appeal, you ask the workers' compensation insurance company, a state administrative agency, or a judge to reverse the decision and award you the benefits you deserve.

We strongly recommend getting an experienced workers' compensation and construction accident attorney to help you with a workers' compensation appeal.

What if my employer does not carry workers' compensation insurance?

That probably means that your employer is breaking the law. However, you shouldn’t lose hope. You can most likely still receive compensation.

The vast majority of employees (but not independent contractors) in the United States are covered by workers' compensation insurance because laws in all fifty states mandate that most employers purchase workers' comp insurance to cover their employees. So, chances are that if your employer does not carry workers compensation insurance, then your employer is in violation of the law and could face stiff fines and other penalties.

However, this isn’t always the case. Some states exempt small employers—for example, those that employ just one or two people—from workers' comp laws. Some industries—such as railroads—are exempted from workers' compensation requirements (although these industries virtually always have other rules or systems to protect employees against injuries and illnesses).

If your employer has violated the law by not purchasing workers' compensation insurance for you and your co-workers, you likely have at least one of two potential options for seeking compensation:

  • The law in your state may authorize you to sue your employer directly for damages. In that lawsuit, you may have the right to seek compensation that workers' comp does not usually pay, like pain and suffering.
  • Alternatively or in addition, your state may maintain a public fund to which you can apply to receive the same or similar benefits that you would receive if your employer had purchased workers' comp insurance.

The best way to explore your options if your employer does not carry workers' compensation insurance to protect you against construction accident injuries is to immediately speak with an experienced lawyer.

Can I sue someone for my construction accident injuries if I already receive workers' compensation benefits?

Possibly, but it's a little complicated.

To start, as we said, every state has its own workers' compensation laws and rules. So, no single answer exists to the exact question.

In most states, by being covered by and/or receiving workers' compensation benefits, you effectively lose the ability to sue your own employer or a co-worker for your construction accident injuries. However, individual states may have laws that allow you to sue an employer or co-worker in certain circumstances.

Receiving workers' compensation benefits usually does not prevent you from suing a third party—someone other than your employer or co-worker—for your injuries and losses. In a third-party lawsuit, you can often seek types of compensation that workers' compensation does not pay, such as damages for your pain and suffering. But, receiving those damages may also affect your ability to keep your workers' compensation benefits.

Seek the advice of an experienced construction accident injury lawyer to help you understand your options.

I'm an undocumented construction worker who got injured in a construction accident. What are my rights?

In most states, you have the same rights as any other injured construction worker if you get hurt in a construction accident. With rare exceptions, state laws and court decisions entitle undocumented workers to receive workers' compensation benefits to pay for their medical care and lost wages. Undocumented construction workers also generally have the right to sue third parties whose wrongful actions caused them harm.

It is not legal anywhere in the United States to put construction workers in danger just because they are undocumented.

If you are an undocumented construction worker who suffered severe injuries in a construction accident, or if your loved one who was undocumented died in such an accident, then we strongly encourage you to speak for free with a member of the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, team today. Anything you tell a lawyer is 100 percent confidential. We will never report you or your loved ones to ICE. Se habla español.

What compensation can I sue for in a third-party lawsuit?

Everything depends on the facts and circumstances of the construction accident and the injuries you suffered. In general, however, a lawsuit for damages arising out of a construction accident can seek payment for:

Economic damages, consisting of any financial losses caused by the accident and your injuries, such as:

  • Medical expenses not covered by workers' compensation;
  • Lost wages and lost future income not covered by workers' compensation;
  • The cost of repair or replacement of damaged personal property;
  • The cost of replacement services such as childcare services, grocery shopping services, or cleaning services; and
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses you would not have had if you had not gotten hurt in a construction accident;

Non-economic damages, which are all of the other types of harm you suffer when you get hurt in a construction accident, including;

  • Pain and suffering;
  • Emotional anguish;
  • Loss of companionship and consortium;
  • Loss of enjoyment of life;
  • Loss of limb or bodily function; and
  • Scarring and disfigurement.

In some cases, you may also have the right to request punitive damages (also called exemplary damages), which courts may order the at-fault party to pay to you as punishment for that party's extreme or outrageous conduct in causing a construction accident.

How much time do I have to start seeking compensation for my construction accident injuries?

Less than you might imagine.

First, as a worker injured in a construction accident, you must make sure to stick to any deadlines required under your state's workers' compensation laws for reporting your injury to your employer and (when applicable) to filing your workers' compensation claim. An experienced attorney can help you find out the deadlines that may apply in your state.

Next, if you have the right to seek compensation through a lawsuit, then in every state, a law called the statute of limitations sets the maximum amount of time you have to take that step. Failure to act within that deadline usually results in the loss of the right to receive compensation.

Statutes of limitation often contain exceptions that can extend or shorten your deadline for taking action. The most reliable way to avoid missing one of these important deadlines is to speak with an experienced construction accident lawyer right away about you or your loved one's injury.

I'm not a construction worker, but I suffered an injury in a construction accident while visiting or passing by a construction site. Can I sue for my injuries?

Yes, chances are you can.

Anyone who suffers injuries in a construction accident caused by someone else's unreasonably dangerous decisions or actions will typically have the right to sue the parties at fault for economic, non-economic, and (when applicable) punitive damages. The laws of the state where the construction accident injury occurred will typically dictate when and how you can file that lawsuit.

An experienced construction accident injury lawyer from Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, can help you explore your rights.

What can your construction accident lawyers do for me?

A construction site accidents lawyer can get you paid the money you deserve.

Construction accident cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties, technical factual issues, and complicated legal questions that courts and lawyers must resolve. As a practical matter, victims of construction accidents cannot realistically hope to receive maximum compensation for their injuries without hiring a skilled, experienced construction accident injury lawyer to handle their claims.

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, we approach every construction accident case we handle with fresh eyes and inquiring minds. We know every construction accident is unique, and each of our clients has specific needs that our efforts must try to meet.

For that reason, the steps we take on behalf of our clients in construction accident cases may vary widely from one case to the next.

However, in general, our team has the knowledge, experience, and resources to:

  • Investigate the causes of construction accidents, often by teaming with experts in the fields of forensics, engineering, product design, and medicine (to name a few);
  • Identify the parties whose poor decisions or dangerous actions caused a construction accident and thus have liability to our clients, as well as any other parties who have a legal obligation to answer for those decisions or actions;
  • Explain to our clients the steps we propose to take on their behalf and answer any questions they may have in language they can understand;
  • Prepare thorough, accurate, well-documented claims for submission to workers' compensation insurance companies and courts;
  • Negotiate with insurance companies and defense lawyers, seeking verdicts and settlements of our clients' construction accident claims when possible;
  • Advocate for our clients in court hearings, mediations, arbitration, and trials when necessary to achieve the financial outcomes they deserve.
  • Make sure that our clients actually receive the amount due to them in a settlement, judgment, or jury award.

How much does a construction accident lawyer cost?

It costs nothing to retain a lawyer unless we settle or win your case.

Experienced construction accident lawyers like Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, offer potential clients a free, no-risk case consultation with an experienced legal professional. In a consultation, victims of construction accidents can earn about their rights and how a lawyer may help them, and the lawyer can give those victims an initial read on whether they have a case.

If those victims hire a construction accident lawyer, then the lawyer will virtually always represent them on contingency. That's when lawyers do their work in exchange for receiving a percentage of any money they obtain on a client's behalf through a settlement, judgment, or jury verdict. The client does not pay any money upfront or as the case goes along. The lawyer only gets paid, in other words, if the client gets paid.

Construction accident lawyers like the team at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, take cases on contingency because they know their clients often face significant financial strain after suffering construction accident injuries. By working on contingency, lawyers provide their services to all who need them.

Never let your financial worries keep you from speaking with a skilled construction injury lawyer about your rights. You have nothing to lose and potentially much to gain by having a free consultation.

Construction Accident Lawyers for Victims Nationwide

Personal Injury Attorney, Matt Dolman
Construction Accident Attorney, Matt Dolman

Construction accidents inflict a heavy toll on workers, families, and communities. Victims of those accidents deserve compensation to pay for medical bills, to replace their lost income, and to help them confront the challenges of a serious injury.

The skilled construction accident lawyers of Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, can help construction accident victims and families of those who tragically died in construction mishaps obtain the compensation they deserve.

If you or a loved one were harmed in a construction accident, do not wait any longer to get the legal help you need. Contact Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, today or call us at 833-552-7274 now for a free case consultation to learn about your rights to compensation for your injuries and losses.

Client Testimonial

“AMAZING and understanding attorneys! Did great on my case and I highly recommend Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA for anyone that has been injured in an accident!"
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Koralis R.
Jan 2020
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Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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