Construction Accident Lawyer in Boston

Construction site accidents come in different forms. That said, the most common include:

Slip and Falls

Slip and fall cases are quite common at construction sites in Boston. To put things into perspective, we mentioned earlier that in May 2022, a worker fell 30 feet at a construction site and sustained serious injuries. This is just one of the many slip and fall incidents that occur at construction sites across the city. 

What Causes Slips and Falls at Construction Sites?
Slip and fall accidents are never similar; each incident is unique. However, one thing you need to know is that such incidents occur mainly due to negligence. It could be a case of negligence by the construction worker, company, or any other party involved. 

Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents at construction sites include:

• Uneven surfaces
• Wet floors
• Lack of skid-resistance surfaces on ramps
• Unsecured equipment
• Presence of clutter and debris

A construction worker is expected to do everything they can to protect themselves from such injuries. For example, if you're a construction worker who also loves skating, it's never a great idea to bring your skateboard to the construction site. This is because it's generally not safe to skate at a construction site.

On the other hand, construction companies have a legal responsibility to do everything within their powers to protect construction workers and the general public from injuries. This involves but is not limited to following the guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 

Therefore, if you slip and fall due to a construction company's violation of OSHA laws, you may be able to hold them accountable for their negligence. 

Defective Equipment 

It's also important to note that certain construction accidents might not have anything to do with the construction worker or company. For example, a defective product could injure a construction worker even if the worker does everything within their power, such as wearing safety gear, to prevent such injuries. The same applies to the construction company - they may have policies in place to protect themselves and their workers from such injuries. 

But when construction equipment is defective or unreasonably designed, it may be impossible to avoid such accidents. This could be a product liability case, which targets the manufacturer of the defective product, and is best handled by experienced product liability attorneys.  

Electrocution

There's always a risk of electrocution at construction sites. While construction workers are required to observe safety protocol in the workplace to prevent such incidents, construction companies must also ensure that their workers and the general public are safe from electrocution. 

Common causes of electrocution at construction sites include but are not limited to:

• Faulty equipment
• Damaged cords
• Contact with overhead power lines

Getting Struck by Objects 

Studies have shown that about 10% of construction site accidents involve getting struck by an object. The worst thing about such accidents is that most of them can be avoided by following certain safety precautions. If you or your loved one has been struck by an object at a construction site, whether you're a worker or a pedestrian, you may need to speak with a competent attorney. 

Yes, as mentioned earlier, while some of these accidents occur due to unavoidable circumstances, such as extreme weather conditions, others are completely avoidable. To avoid these kinds of accidents, construction workers and their employers need to follow safety protocols at all times.

Some of the steps that can be taken to prevent these accidents include: 

• Following scaffold requirements
• Installing railings on certain floors whenever necessary
• Inspecting construction equipment for safety
• Cleaning up wet spots
• Putting up proper warning sites to warn workers and the general public about possible dangers
• Enforcing the use of safety gear at the construction site
• Properly storing construction equipment after use
• Cleaning up the construction site at the end of every shift

Failure to follow these steps is considered a form of negligence. As a result, the negligent party might be held responsible if anyone gets injured at the construction site.

The steps you take after a construction accident will influence your entire case. For this reason, it's important to know what to do in such a situation. While there are so many things you can do after such an accident, these five are the most important:

Report the Accident

Many construction workers fail to report when they get injured on the job for various reasons. For example, some fear retaliation from their employers or supervisors.

But did you know that it's illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for reporting a workplace-related accident? If your employer retaliates against you directly or indirectly, you may need to speak with a competent labor and employment attorney. 

If you've been injured while working at a construction site, you need to report the injury to your foreman, supervisor, or whoever is in charge. First, reporting such accidents alerts the other party about the potential dangers at the site. Secondly, reporting the incident proves that it occurred. 

Seek Medical Attention

It's important that you seek medical attention as soon as you can. Construction accidents are known to cause serious injuries externally and internally, hence the need to visit a doctor as soon as possible. 

The doctor will conduct several tests to check whether you've suffered serious injuries that need further treatment. 

Call 911 and request an ambulance if you've suffered serious injuries or have someone else do so if you can't. 

Remember, this is not the time to be a “tough guy.” Suppose you don't seek medical attention immediately. In that case, you may not be able to file a claim later when you begin experiencing symptoms that were initially dormant because your body was still in shock when you got injured. 

Document the Accident Scene

If possible, take pictures of the accident scene, particularly the dangerous condition that led to your injury. Whether it was a live wire, slippery floor, faulty equipment, missing guardrails, or anything else, you'll need to have it in your records. 

Take photos and videos if you can. Also, remember to take down the contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Their testimonies could come in handy when you pursue a claim or lawsuit. 

Understandably, you may be unable to document the accident if you suffered severe injuries. If that's the case, focus on your health first - the rest will follow later. 

File a Worker's Compensation Claim

If you're an employee of the company, the law requires your employer to provide you with worker's compensation insurance. This insurance protects you if you get injured in the workplace. It's also important to note that you agree to waive your right to sue your employer for that particular injury by filing a workers' compensation claim. 

However, there comes a time when taking legal action against your employer may be the most reasonable thing to do. A good example of such a situation is when your employer disputes your injuries. 

Many things could happen when you get injured at a construction site and file a worker's compensation claim. First, your employer might dispute your claim, alleging that you didn't get injured in the first place. Some might claim that although you are visibly injured, the injuries have nothing to do with the workplace. 

In other words, they'll probably claim you got injured elsewhere.

It's even worse if you have other medical conditions that could increase your risk of workplace injury. Your employer will probably blame you for the accident. 

Now let's look at it from a different perspective; let's say your employer acknowledges that you got injured and files a worker's comp claim for you. In that case, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. But did you know that the initial offer from the insurance company isn't usually what you deserve? Most of the time, victims of construction site injuries are eligible for more than they think they deserve.

All they have to do is hire a competent construction accident attorney. This attorney can help review these cases and identify various avenues to maximize the claim. 

Earlier, we mentioned that it might be difficult to obtain evidence from the accident scene. However, hiring an attorney increases your chances of getting the evidence you need to prove your injuries. 

The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of securing crucial evidence. This is because witnesses change their minds; some fear employer retaliation, and others just refuse to cooperate with the investigators. In addition, some rogue employers might want to destroy evidence, attempting to free themselves from liability.

Lastly, Boston construction accident lawyers understand the federal, state, and local laws regarding construction sites and workers' safety. For this reason, they can help you navigate complex legal processes, ensuring you receive the compensation you need and deserve. 

Construction accident laws are complex, but that's not the only thing you should be worried about. Construction companies make thousands of dollars from the projects they undertake. For this reason, they can easily afford defense attorneys to fight for them even when they're clearly at fault for your injuries.

This explains why you need a powerful, aggressive, and competent team of attorneys to fight for you. That's where Morgan and Morgan comes in; the largest personal injury law firm in the United States. 

We've helped our clients recover more than $20 billion as compensation for various injuries sustained due to the other party's negligence. If you or your loved one is a victim of a Boston construction accident, fill out our free case evaluation form today. We might be able to fight for you, ensuring you receive the compensation you need and deserve.