Bethlehem Construction Accident Lawyer

The Lehigh Valley is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, and construction is happening everywhere.  Demolition, renovations, and new construction can cause injuries to workers that lay them up for months or even take away their livelihood and require a career change.  If you were hurt at work, our lawyers can help you get compensation for your injuries.

When construction workers are employed at various construction firms or are direct employees of general contractors, they should be covered by Workers’ Compensation.  This insurance should pay them for their medical care and lost wages all without the need to prove fault in court first.  However, construction firms often try to kick their workers off of coverage, or their insurance carriers deny claims under dubious arguments.

For help with your claim, contact the Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialists at Cardamone Law by calling (267) 651-7945.

Getting Compensation for Construction Injuries in Bethlehem

When you are hurt at work, you are supposed to file your claim through Workers’ Compensation.  Lawsuits against your employer are usually barred, making this what is known as the “sole remedy” for compensation in many cases.

There are sometimes opportunities for independent contractors to sue the parties that hired them, and there might also be opportunities to sue parties outside of the chain of employment to get compensated, but Workers’ Comp is supposed to pay benefits without any need to prove fault.  Additionally, Workers’ Comp covers accidents where the injured worker was the one who accidentally caused the accident, as well as cases where the employer was to blame – areas where a lawsuit simply would not work.

When you file for Worker’s Comp, you report the accident to your employer, who files the claim with their insurance carrier.  When the claim is accepted, it should pay for all medical care related to the accident and pay approximately 2/3 of your lost wages as long as you are out of work.  In some cases, wage-loss benefits can continue at a reduced rate and even continue if you are able to return to work at a reduced income.  Medical payments should continue as long as you need them, though insurance carriers are loath to keep employees on benefits forever and are often happier to settle cases.

In a “global settlement,” you might be able to settle the total medical benefits and wage-loss benefits you are projected to receive in one lump sum.  However, you should never settle without having our construction accident attorneys review your claim, as you need to make sure it has enough money to cover all of these benefits.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Bethlehem

Remember, Workers’ Comp can cover all kinds of accidents.  There is no investigation into the cause except to make sure that you did not intentionally hurt yourself or cause the accident while drunk or on drugs.  Instead, it should not matter whether the accident was caused by a coworker, your employer, yourself, or someone unrelated to the construction.  Instead, Workers’ Comp should cover all of these kinds of accidents:

Electrocution Accidents

At a construction site, wires can easily get struck and cause electrocution injuries.  If you are an electrician, you know better than most the risks of electrocution and how common these accidents can be.  If you were another worker, your injuries might have happened because someone forgot to tell you the power was turned back on or forgot to cut the power during work.  These accidents might have also happened because of freak power surges or because someone cut into a wall without checking what was behind it.

Falling Debris and Tools

Building materials, roofing, tools, and other items can fall from higher levels or off scaffolding and ladders, hitting those below.  In some cases, it might be something as simple as a tool slipping out of someone’s hand.  In others, it might be something reckless, like someone on a scaffold throwing materials onto the ground below them without looking.  Accidents can also drop potentially large items on people if a tarp or other piece of fabric gets caught in a strong wind.  This is able to pull surprisingly heavy items straight over the side of a building.

Explosions and Fires

Some of the worst injuries on construction sites involve fires and explosions.  Gasoline, propane, and acetylene tanks could catch fire or explode if stored or handled improperly or if they are exposed to fire.  Taking a smoke break too close to dangerous chemicals, for example, can easily cause a fire.  Fires can even be caused by sparking power tools or other electrical equipment.  When a fire breaks out, it can cause smoke inhalation that could leave you unable to resume work for a few days, but severe burns and scarring are more likely to be the culprit when it comes to long-term construction injuries.

Carrying, Lifting, and Strenuous Activity

Construction work is hard, and it often requires very physical activities like lifting, carrying, holding things in place, and reaching.  Any of these activities can result in strains or sprains.  Especially when it comes to back injuries, an accident like this can leave you out of work for a prolonged period.

Falls

Falling down can cause serious injuries, especially if you fell from high up.  Improper scaffolding, broken ladders, or missing/defective safety gear can make a fall more likely.

Are Independent Contractors Covered for Construction Accidents in Bethlehem?

Rules surrounding whether or not construction contractors are covered by Workers’ Comp are often quite confusing.  If you are an employee receiving a regular wage as opposed to a worker who performs services under a contract, you are likely covered.  However, employers often try to call workers contractors when they are not to avoid covering them.  Our attorneys can help you determine whether you have coverage and which company is considered your “employer” for purposes of a Workers’ Comp claim.

Call Our Bethlehem Construction Accident Lawyers Today

For a free review of your injury case, call Cardamone Law’s construction accident attorneys at (267) 651-7945.