Boston Construction Accident Lawyer
Have you been seriously injured in a construction accident in Boston? An experienced Boston construction accident lawyer can help you understand the types of benefits and damages you may be entitled to for your injuries. Call (617)-391-9001 and talk to an experienced lawyer from Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP.
You may be entitled to compensation through workers’ compensation and a third-party injury claim.
For more than a decade, Sweeney Merrigan Law has represented injured workers and their families. Contact our law office for a free consultation. We will discuss how we can help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.
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How Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP Can Help After a Construction Accident in Boston
Construction workers face one of America’s most dangerous jobs. When you are injured after a workplace accident, you should not have to fight an unsympathetic insurance company for your benefits. An experienced Boston personal injury lawyer can help you build the strongest case possible for maximum benefits.
Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP is an award-winning law firm, and our lawyers have been named among the “Most Powerful Attorneys” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Our team of injury lawyers, which includes a former Trial Judge of the Year, has recovered tens of millions of dollars in jury awards and settlements. This includes awards of five million for permanent injuries and wrongful death on construction sites.
Choose Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP to represent you in your workplace injury case, and we will:
- Offer legal advice through a relationship built on trust
- Investigate your accident to gather evidence that supports causation and liability
- Explore additional avenues to recover compensation through a third-party claim
- Work with medical experts to establish the severity of your injuries and how they affect your life
- Fight back against the insurance company’s attempts to minimize your injuries and damages
- Negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company
- Take your case to court if necessary for fair compensation
You do not need to pursue a workers’ compensation claim alone. You may even be entitled to benefits outside this no-fault system. The elite lawyers at our firm will help you value your case and seek the full compensation you deserve. Call our law firm in Boston, MA today for a free consultation with a Boston construction accident lawyer.
How Common Are Construction Accidents in Boston, MA?
Construction accidents aren’t just common. They’re the leading cause of workplace fatalities and one of the top causes of serious workplace injuries in America.
According to OSHA, there were 5,333 workers killed on the job in the U.S. in 2019. One out of every five of these deaths involved construction workers. Every year, there are nearly 150,000 construction site accident injuries with workers between ages 25 to 34 most likely to be hurt. Nearly 15% of workers’ compensation costs go toward workers who are hurt at construction sites.
In Massachusetts, 69 workers were killed on the job in 2018, according to the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health. Construction accidents were responsible for 36% of these deaths. The same year, there were over 73,300 non-fatal workplace illnesses and injuries in the state. Over 40,000 of those injury’s type and location.
The best way to determine the value of your claim is to consult with an experienced Boston workers’ compensation lawyer. Call Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP to schedule a free consultation today.
What Is My Construction Accident Case Worth?
Every injury case is unique. Many factors may determine the value of your case. In addition to the value of your economic losses like medical expenses, your claim’s value will depend on whether you can only recover workers’ compensation benefits. A personal injury lawsuit may allow you to recover additional damages like non-economic losses which may even rival the value of your economic losses.
Workers’ compensation benefits have a clearly defined value that’s based on your average weekly wage. The state average weekly wage serves as a maximum cap for benefits. In cases involving disfigurement, amputation, or impairment, a one-time payment will be calculated based on the type and location of the injury.
The best way to determine the value of your claim is to consult with an experienced attorney in Boston. Call Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP to schedule a free consultation today.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims?
There are two ways to recover damages after a construction site accident: workers’ compensation and third-party claims. The types of damages you can recover will depend on the type of claim.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation in Boston offers guaranteed benefits for workplace accidents. You are generally entitled to:
- Reasonable, necessary medical expenses
- Permanent disability benefits at 66% of your gross average weekly wages (AWW) up to the state average weekly wage (SAWW)
- Temporary total disability benefits at 60% of your AWW for up to 3 years and up to the SAWW
- Temporary partial disability benefits at 75% of the difference between your weekly total temporary benefits which are 60% of your gross AWWW. You can receive benefits for up to 260 weeks.
You may also be entitled to a one-time payment for permanent loss of function, disfigurement, or scarring (on the hands, neck, or face). The amount of this one-time sum will depend on the severity and location of the function loss or injury.
Note that workers’ compensation does not allow you to recover for non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
Third-Party Claims
If your accident was caused by a negligent third party, but not your employer, you may have a third-party claim. This can allow you to recover damages not available through workers’ compensation like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Construction Accident in Massachusetts?
You can recover workers’ compensation benefits even if you are partially to blame for your construction accident with a few exceptions. If you are pursuing a third-party claim, damages will be shared by all liable parties. Massachusetts uses a modified comparative negligence rule in personal injury cases involving shared blame.
You can still recover damages in a lawsuit if you are found partially at fault for causing your injuries. Your recovery will be reduced according to your share of assigned blame. However, you cannot recover any compensation if a jury determines you are more than 51% at-fault for your injuries. This rule is known as the 51% Bar.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accidents often result in life-changing, serious injuries.
Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP will help you fight for maximum compensation for injuries such as:
- Eye injuries
- Burns
- Electrocution
- Fractures
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- Traumatic amputation
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Toxic chemical exposure
Our experienced accident lawyers in Boston are here to help you recover the money you need to recover. Contact us to find out how we can help you.
What Causes Most Construction Accidents in Boston, Massachusetts?
Construction sites are usually dangerous, with heavy machinery, work done from heights, tripping and electrocution hazards, trenches, and other dangers.
The “Fatal Four” that are responsible for 60% construction deaths are:
- Falls. 36% of construction deaths are caused by falls. This may involve a fall from a height, scaffolding, or into an open trench. A lack of fall protection or inadequate protection is one of the most common OSHA violations on construction sites.
- Struck by object. 80 of the 971 construction workers killed in 2017 died after being struck by equipment or an object. About 23 of these accidents involved being struck by a powered vehicle.
- Electrocution. 71 of construction workers were killed by electrocution in 2017. 47 of these cases involved direct exposure to electricity and 24 involved indirect exposure.
- Caught in or between objects. 15 fatalities occurred when workers were caught in or between objects or equipment. In construction, this typically involves heavy machinery.
In addition to these fatal four, construction accidents can have many causes. Slip and fall accidents are common on construction sites and may involve falling into an uncovered trench, hole, or lower level.
Ladders and scaffolding are involved in many injuries and fatal accidents. The BLS found that 72% of workers were hurt in a scaffolding accident when the support gave way or when the worker slipped and fell. Scaffolding is a commonly cited area for OSHA safety violations.
Machinery accidents and power tools can also contribute to a large number of construction injuries. These accidents can be the result of inadequate training, lack of safety equipment, improper use, electrical failure, and defects.
Many serious construction site accidents involve vehicles such as dump trucks, forklifts, cranes, and backhoes. Injuries may happen when a worker falls from a vehicle, is struck by a vehicle, or the vehicle tips over.
Do I Need to Prove Negligence After a Construction Accident in Boston?
You do not need to prove negligence or fault to recover benefits through workers’ compensation in Boston. This no-fault system entitles you to benefits even when you are responsible for your accident with few exceptions.
However, pursuing a claim against a third-party outside of workers’ compensation does require proving negligence. These claims work like any other personal injury claim. You must prove that a third party owed you a duty of care, violated this duty, and caused your accident.
Depending on the cause of your accident and the responsible party, accident reports, witness statements, strict product liability laws, and other evidence may be used to establish liability. These claims may require an in-depth investigation performed with the help of a Boston construction accident attorney and specialists in many fields.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Construction Accident in Massachusetts?
You have a limited amount of time to file a claim for compensation after a construction accident in Boston. The Massachusetts statute of limitations for workers’ compensation is four years from the date of your accident. You must also report the accident or injury to your employer as soon as possible.
If you are eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party, your case must be filed within three years of your accident.
Contact a Boston Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Your life may be forever changed after your workplace accident. You may be unable to work again. You should not be left with a financial burden. Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP will help you fight for the full benefits you deserve under workers’ comp or a third-party injury lawsuit.
Contact our Suffolk County law office today to schedule a free consultation with a Boston construction accident lawyer. We work on a contingency fee basis. If we do not win your case, you owe nothing.
Boston Construction Accident Testimonial
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Boston Emergency Rooms
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