Pittsburgh PA Construction Accident Attorney
Working on a construction site is very dangerous. While accidents can happen at any workplace, working on steel beams, scaffolding and around heavy equipment make construction accidents all too common. Construction sites can present hazards such as falls, falling objects, industrial machinery, malfunctioning tools, and more. In fact, construction accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and ten percent of construction workers endure a construction accident injury every year.
Dallas and his team of experienced Pittsburgh injury attorneys know that owners and contractors in Pennsylvania and Ohio have an obligation to keep their worksites safe. Unfortunately, they also know that, too often, owners and contractors fail in this obligation. At Dallas W. Hartman P.C., our team of Pittsburgh construction accident attorneys have helped injured construction workers and their families recover from their injuries and losses for almost three decades in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Construction Site Safety Violations
Some construction accident injuries are due to company negligence. Others happen when construction companies willfully choose to violate safety regulations. In either case, the company has an incentive to hide behind insurance companies and high-priced lawyers. Our team of Pittsburgh construction accident lawyers help by putting his experience to work for you and, if there is no recovery, you will not pay any fees or costs.
Workers’ Compensation Laws in Pennsylvania
The majority of employees are covered under the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation program. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance policy that covers you if you are injured on the job.
No matter whose fault it is, you can still get workers’ compensation. As a tradeoff, employers are protected from lawsuits being filed directly against them for negligence. A worker may only file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent third party.
What Are Employer Legal Obligations in Pittsburgh, PA?
Under the law, employers are required to abide by all safety standards set forth by OSHA, including:
- Ensure the workplace is free of safety hazards
- Ensure the tools used by employees are safe and well maintained
- Use color-coded signs for dangerous chemicals or materials
- Ensure that operating procedures are communicated to employees
- Provide thorough safety training
- Develop a hazard communication program
- Offer medical examinations
- Report injuries or fatalities to OSHA
- Post violations or citations from OSHA and correct them
If any of these rights are violated, employees can report the violation to OSHA, and they cannot be retaliated against.
Types of Construction Accidents
All construction workers face the risks of being in an accident while working in these conditions. Common types of accidents that happen in construction sites include:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Building/ceiling collapses
- Trench collapses
- Defective equipment
- Ladder falls
- Construction zone car accidents
What Are Common Injuries in Construction Accidents in Pittsburgh?
Unfortunately, these employees face serious injuries due to the dangerous conditions they are working in. Common injuries that result from construction accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
- Chemical and electrical burns
- Wrongful death
What if You are Hit by a Car While Working in a Construction Zone?
State and private road construction crews are responsible for properly marking construction zones and keeping the lanes clear of debris and equipment that can cause accidents. Lanes must be wide enough to accommodate car and truck traffic, and warning signs and speed limits must be clear and prominent. Despite strict laws regulating construction zone setup, they are among the most dangerous places on our roadways.
Speak with a Pittsburgh car accident lawyer to find out if you can file a personal injury claim. You may have a legal claim for financial compensation if your construction zone car accident was the result of:
- Improper or insufficient speed limit signs or other traffic signage
- Narrow lanes
- The driver tried to pass illegally in a marked zone
- Construction debris or equipment left in the road or on the shoulder
- Unsafe, uneven pavement that was not marked properly
- Unsafe or improper merge lanes
- Road shoulder unfit for traffic or emergency stopping
What Are My Options as an Injured Worker?
If you are injured at work, you will usually have to file a claim against your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. In certain circumstances, there may be other options
- Personal injury lawsuit: if a third party was responsible for your injuries, you can file a personal injury lawsuit. Third parties can include independent contractors, equipment manufacturers, and engineers.
- Wrongful death: the family of a worker who was killed on the job may file a Pittsburgh wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent employer.
Contact a Pittsburgh Workers Compensation Lawyer For a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt while working construction, you may have a worker’s compensation claim. Our office has several experienced worker’s compensation attorneys in Pittsburgh that can handle instances where you have been hurt on a construction site.
If you have been the victim of an accident anywhere in Pennsylvania or Ohio don’t get hurt twice. Dial 1-800-777-4081 or contact us online to put Dallas’ experience to work for you or email an experienced PA and Ohio personal injury attorney.