Construction Site Injuries
Dangerous jobs become even more dangerous when companies don't make sure that safety comes first.
SUGARMAN is proud of its continued representation of countless construction workers and their families.
For decades, SUGARMAN’s personal injury attorneys have represented thousands of workers and their families for injuries and deaths suffered in construction site and workplace accidents. In fact, some of the earliest cases in Massachusetts establishing a worker’s right to bring a claim against a negligent contractor were brought and won by SUGARMAN lawyers. That tradition, and our lawyers’ dedication to those workers, continues today.
Residential, commercial, and industrial construction sites can be some of the most dangerous places for workers. When accidents happen at these sites, workers and their families not only suffer the consequences of the injury but the immediate loss of income and uncertainty that comes with that injury. Every worker hurt on the job would gladly turn back time and erase an accident and their injury. Once an accident happens, however, what is required is a steady focus on bringing some measure of security and compensation to the worker and their family. That is what SUGARMAN’s experienced personal injury lawyers bring to these cases.
Bringing a successful construction site injury case is more than just “putting in a claim.” Even simple construction sites can have multiple contractors, subcontractors, architects, owners’ representatives, and project managers. Each contractor has their own personnel, equipment, and responsibilities at the site. Important to note that each contractor has an insurance company keeping careful watch on accidents to make sure that injured workers recover as little as possible. When a construction accident occurs, several things happen seemingly at once. A workers’ compensation claim is begun, which can quickly fill the gap caused by a loss of income. In the meantime, multiple insurers and OSHA investigate, often with an eye towards blaming the worker or his immediate employer (who cannot be sued by the worker for negligence). During this critical time, mistakes can be made that can limit the worker’s right to recover. While it may appear obvious at first blush who is responsible for an accident at a construction site, legally speaking that determination can become quite complex.
Sorting this out requires not only a careful investigation of the facts but an understanding of the contracts, insurance agreements and state and federal regulations and codes that apply (and do not apply) to a given construction site. At SUGARMAN, the goal is for prompt and fair resolution of every construction site case. However, the best results come from a willingness to fully investigate, litigate and, if necessary, try the case in front of a jury. SUGARMAN’s accident lawyers bring their decades of experience to the complex relationships and insurance issues that surround nearly every construction site accident. Whenever their involvement begins, SUGARMAN lawyers know that swift action is required to maximize the worker’s chances of a successful recovery against the responsible party or parties. Our personal injury attorneys also collaborate with an injured tradesman’s workers’ compensation counsel to maximize the total recovery to the injured worker. If you have been injured in a construction site accident, our attorneys stand ready to apply their expertise in this area of law for your case, beginning with a free consultation with one of our partners.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a construction related accident, the injury lawyers in Boston at SUGARMAN are here to help.
More About Construction Site Injuries
SUGARMAN’s personal injury lawyers have handled many different construction site accident cases. Cases have included scaffolding and staging collapses, wall and roof collapses, falls through unprotected floor openings, crane and aerial lift overturns, dropped loads, job site electrocutions, accidents from defective tools, and construction elevator and material lift accidents. We represent laborers, electricians, ironworkers, plumbers, masons, and all other construction trades in injury claims.
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Construction site - traumatic brain injury suffered after fall from ladder
Settlement at mediation for long-time construction worker who fell at jobsite suffering multiple fractures of his spine and shoulder. The plaintiff was employed by a subcontractor and the supervising contractor failed to provide him with a lift to perform work, instead giving him a ladder to work on an uneven surface. The worker lost his balance and fell 15-20 feet. He struck his head and sustained a traumatic brain injury resulting in well-documented mood changes and disfunction.
Union ironworker requires back surgery after elevator mechanic suddenly stops elevator
Pre-trial settlement for union ironworker foreman who suffered debilitating back injuries when the construction elevator he was riding in came to a slamming stop when an elevator mechanic attempted to override the elevator’s electronic safety system without realizing that the elevator was in operation. The foreman was working at the Lowell Justice Center construction project at the time and was rendered totally disabled as a result of his injuries.
Construction contractor denies employment relationship, injured worker still prevails
Recovery for a construction laborer who was injured when the ladder he was working on collapsed and landed on top of him resulting in severe personal injuries, including a catastrophic ankle fracture. In an attempt to escape liability, the defendant construction contractor denied that he employed the worker. Through discovery during the lawsuit, SUGARMAN attorneys were able to prove that the contractor owed a legal responsibility to the worker, which was confirmed through the obtainment of a Court Order.
Wrongful death following crush injuries to forklift operator
Pre-trial settlement on behalf of children of a middle-aged temporary worker who was crushed to death between the forklift he was operating and a metal shelving unit in a South Shore warehouse where he had been assigned to work by his staffing agency.
Traumatic brain injury and eventual death following excavator accident
Settlement for the daughter of a construction worker who was struck by an excavator's boom on a large development project in Everett. The excavator operator knew that the worker was in the area, but failed to look and make sure that the worker was a safe distance away before the operator moved the boom and violently struck him. The worker suffered catastrophic injuries that eventually caused his death 3 months later. In addition to a host of safety violations and unsafe practices, SUGARMAN attorneys were able to establish that the excavator operator had been previously fired for unsafe operation by the same company that later hired him to work on the development project. The case resolved shortly before trial.
Tradesman injured after fall in Watertown
Settlement prior to trial on behalf of a painter who fell from a ladder at a construction site in Massachusetts and suffered multiple fractures. SUGARMAN brought claims in Middlesex Superior Court against the general contractor on the project alleging that unsafe work practices and violation of construction standards caused the plaintiff's fall and injuries.
Carpenter dies in fall at construction site
Settlement of wrongful death claims reached with a general contractor for worker's death due to a fall in an unguarded area of residential home construction project.
Settlement for construction worker injured after scaffolding fall
SUGARMAN's attorneys were able to obtain a settlement just before trial on behalf of a worker who fell over 6 feet from scaffolding at a construction site and suffered a severe ankle fracture. The case was brought against the contractor who constructed and supplied the scaffolding, but failed to attach the safety railings and failed to provide the worker with required fall protection. In addition to the settlement of the personal injury claim, SUGARMAN's attorneys were also able to negotiate a favorable resolution of the client's workers' compensation lien in order to maximize the client's recovery.
Craneway collapse at Fore River Shipyard
Settlement of wrongful death lawsuit reached for the four young children of a construction worker who was killed when a massive steel craneway in Quincy collapsed. The general contractor failed to develop an engineering or demolition plan for the dismantling of the craneway and made cuts that left a portion of it a free-standing structure without securing it or warning any of the workers at the site of the danger posed by the free-standing structure.
Ironworker falls 30 feet from Boston high-rise
Settlement received for multiple fractures to ironworker who fell while erecting the steel frame at construction site of a new Boston high-rise. General contractor failed to require 100% fall protection.
Construction site accident - Worker injured by concrete
Slab of concrete fell from ceiling of a building under construction causing serious injury to plaintiff. The contractor, mechanical engineer, and architect denied responsibility for locating and securing the slab. By starting with the original building plans from the 1900's and working forward to the current renovations, SUGARMAN lawyers were able to prove the responsibility that each defendant had in causing the accident. The plaintiff recovered personal injury settlements from all defendants.
Severe injuries sustained by construction worker in fall on jobsite
Settlement in personal injury case for 39-year-old construction worker, who fell 15 feet to the ground in Norwell, Massachusetts while working on the roof of the defendant general contractor’s property. The construction worker sustained bilateral wrist fractures requiring multiple surgeries, and facial lacerations.