Construction Workers Can Suffer Devastating Injuries

Injured construction workers have the same rights to workers’ compensation as any other employees, but a construction accident might result in additional rights of financial recovery. If you are a construction worker who got hurt on the job in northern New Jersey, contact a personal injury lawyer at Breslin & Breslin for more information about your legal options.

If the negligence of someone other than your employer or a fellow worker was responsible for an accident at work, you will have the right to pursue the negligent party for personal injury damages. For construction workers, this means the right to start a lawsuit against a property owner, an equipment manufacturer, a truck driver, or anyone else whose carelessness played an important role in the accident. Even another contractor’s OSHA violation can help us establish negligence liability in a personal injury case.

Common Construction Site Accidents

In construction sites across New Jersey, workers face significant injury risks every day. When safety protocols fail or equipment malfunctions, the consequences can be severe and life‑altering.

Many accidents stem from hazards that appear routine but can quickly turn tragic. Common incidents include:

• Falls from heights: These accidents can lead to broken bones, spinal trauma or head and brain injuries.
• Struck by object incidents: Falling tools or materials may cause internal injuries, brain trauma and long-term impairment.
• Equipment malfunctions: Defective or poorly maintained machinery can lead to crushing injuries, amputation or severe lacerations.
• Electrocution accidents: Contact with live wires or faulty equipment may result in burns or cardiac complications.
• Trench or structural collapses: These events can trap workers and cause suffocation injuries or permanent disability.

Knowing the risks can help construction workers identify hazards and avoid a serious accident.

Liability For Construction Accident Injuries

Determining who is responsible for a construction accident can be legally complex. It requires a careful review of the worksite, the parties involved and the safety measures in place. 

Further complicating matters, multiple individuals and entities may share responsibility for the incident, including:

• Property owners: They must maintain reasonably safe premises and address known hazards that could injure workers.
• General contractors: They coordinate site operations and are responsible for enforcing safety rules and correcting dangerous conditions.
• Subcontractors: They oversee their own crews and may be liable when unsafe practices or inadequate training contribute to an accident.
• Equipment manufacturers: They may be responsible when defective machinery or tools malfunction and cause harm.
• Third-party vendors: They can create unsafe conditions through deliveries, materials or on‑site services.
• Maintenance companies: They may share liability when missed inspections or negligent repairs lead to equipment failures.

Because construction projects involve overlapping responsibilities, identifying every accountable party is essential for financial recovery.

You Need An Experienced New Jersey Construction Accident Attorney

Construction accidents involve complex laws and multiple employers and insurance companies that may attempt to limit compensation. Having a knowledgeable attorney who understands New Jersey regulations and the realities of construction work can offer many advantages.

A skilled lawyer can gather evidence, identify all liable parties and negotiate on your behalf with the involved insurers. Legal representation also improves the odds of receiving fair compensation for medical expenses, lost income and long‑term impacts. 

Protect Your Rights After A Construction Accident

New Jersey workers’ compensation benefits are normally limited to lost income and medical expenses during a period of disability. Personal injury damages cover a much wider range of losses, including pain and suffering. The amount you can recover through a personal injury settlement or jury verdict can be several times as large as the total amount of workers’ compensation benefits.

You do not need to choose between workers’ comp benefits and personal injury damages. The attorneys at Breslin & Breslin can work with you and explain the strengths and weaknesses of your claims under both systems. If there is a good chance that we can prove the liability of a defendant unrelated to your employer, we can represent you in both workers’ compensation proceedings and personal injury litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Construction Accidents

Construction accidents have the potential to cause severe and catastrophic injuries and leave workers facing medical bills, missed work and uncertainty. The answers to these questions address common concerns and help injured construction workers understand how to protect their rights.

How long do I have to sue for work-related injuries in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, state law generally gives those harmed in a work accident two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Workers’ compensation claims follow different rules, but injured workers typically must notify their employer as soon as possible to preserve their right to pursue compensation. 

Because deadlines vary based on the type of claim and the facts of the accident, a knowledgeable attorney can help ensure that all required filings are made on time.

How can I prove negligence in a New Jersey construction accident?

Negligence is proven by showing that another party failed to act with reasonable care and that this failure caused the injury. Strong evidence significantly strengthens injury claims and can come from several different sources. Examples of evidence to gather include:

• Witness statements
• Photographs or videos of the accident scene
• Safety records or inspection reports
• Equipment maintenance logs
• Medical documentation linking the injury to the accident

Materials like these help establish how the accident unfolded, who was responsible and how unsafe conditions or conduct contributed to the injury. A thorough investigation can reveal multiple contributing factors, which is why preserving evidence quickly is important.

How much does a construction accident lawyer cost?

Most construction accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning the client pays no upfront fees and the lawyer receives a percentage of any recovery. This structure allows injured workers to pursue a claim without worrying about immediate legal expenses. 

Additional costs may arise, such as fees for expert evaluations or obtaining records, but they are typically discussed upfront so clients understand how they will be handled. Because every law firm structures fees differently, workers should review the involved terms carefully and ask questions to ensure they understand the fee arrangement.

Call 201-546-5881 For A Free Consultation In Hackensack

We represent construction workers whose accidents range from falls to equipment accidents, electrocution or explosions. To learn more about our experience with construction injury litigation, contact a lawyer at Breslin & Breslin in Hackensack for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About New JerseyConstruction Accidents

Construction accidents have the potential to cause severe and catastrophic injuries and leave workers facing medical bills, missed work and uncertainty. The answers to these questions address common concerns and help injured construction workers understand how to protect their rights.

How long do I have to sue for work-related injuries in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, state law generally gives those harmed in a work accident two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Workers’ compensation claims follow different rules, but injured workers typically must notify their employer as soon as possible to preserve their right to pursue compensation. Because deadlines vary based on the type of claim and the facts of the accident, a knowledgeable attorney can help ensure that all required filings are made on time.

How can I prove negligence in a New Jersey construction accident?

Negligence is proven by showing that another party failed to act with reasonable care and that this failure caused the injury. Strong evidence significantly strengthens injury claims and can come from several different sources. Examples of evidence to gather include:

• Witness statements
• Photographs or videos of the accident scene
• Safety records or inspection reports
• Equipment maintenance logs
• Medical documentation linking the injury to the accident

Materials like these help establish how the accident unfolded, who was responsible and how unsafe conditions or conduct contributed to the injury. A thorough investigation can reveal multiple contributing factors, which is why preserving evidence quickly is important.

How much does a construction accident lawyer cost?

Most construction accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning the client pays no upfront fees and the lawyer receives a percentage of any recovery. This structure allows injured workers to pursue a claim without worrying about immediate legal expenses.

Additional costs may arise, such as fees for expert evaluations or obtaining records, but they are typically discussed upfront so clients understand how they will be handled. Because every law firm structures fees differently, workers should review the involved terms carefully and ask questions to ensure they understand the fee arrangement.