Were you or a loved one injured in a construction accident in Massachusetts? While you may have a legitimate personal injury case, getting fair compensation can be more difficult than you might imagine. If you’re interested in learning about options that can protect your legal rights, call a Massachusetts construction accident lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP today.
Your first consultation is always 100% free of charge. You can call our law firm today at (774)-341-5778 or connect with us via our online contact form.
How Our Experienced Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After Your Construction Site Accident
Some construction accidents can’t be avoided. It’s the nature of the job. Others could be prevented if the people in charge followed the relevant safety rules. When others put your life at risk, you shouldn’t be left to shoulder the financial burden when you get hurt.
If you were seriously hurt on the job, getting fair compensation can be critical to protecting your future. Unfortunately, getting the money you need can be tough. At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers are here to hold the responsible parties accountable.
We have 100+ years of collective experience behind us that spans the legal field – from behind the bench to both sides of the negotiating table. Having us in your corner can make a world of difference in how your construction accident case unfolds.
When you hire us, our personal injury attorneys will:
- Investigate to find out what caused your accident
- Locate all parties who were responsible
- Identify all available forms of compensation
- Fight back when someone tries to blame you for the accident or deny your workers’ compensation benefits
- Determine whether you’re eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit
- Negotiate to get the maximum compensation available
You have enough to worry about if you were hurt on the job. Call our lawyers in Massachusetts today for help recovering the money you deserve.
How Dangerous Are Construction Accidents?
5,333 U.S. workers died on the job in 2019. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1,000 construction workers died in the U.S. during 2019 alone. So, about 20% of the worker fatalities in the U.S. happen in the construction industry.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) statistics show that one in every 200 construction workers is likely to die on the job during the course of a 45-year career. One in every ten workers are injured annually.
Many of these accidents are preventable. In fact, OSHA has identified four types of accidents that account for about 60% of all construction fatalities each year.
The Fatal Four
As dangerous as any construction accident can be, there are four types of accidents that are responsible for the vast majority of fatalities. In the construction industry, these accidents are known as the “fatal four.”
They include:
- Falls
- Accidents that involve being struck by an object
- Accidents that involve being caught between two objects
- Electrocution
OHSA has created detailed safety regulations designed to prevent these and other accidents. Unfortunately, sometimes construction site managers and property owners cut corners to get the job done faster–putting everyone involved at risk.
How Common Are Fatal Construction Accidents in Massachusetts?
Construction accidents are a leading cause of avoidable workplace fatalities in the state of Massachusetts. According to the state’s Department of Public Health, between 2016 and 2017 (the latest year for which data is available), 220 people were killed on the job in the Commonwealth (31 in Boston and Suffolk County, alone).
Construction workers accounted for 55 of those fatalities, making it the second-most dangerous industry in Boston, Suffolk County, and the state of Massachusetts. Only fishing and agriculture reported more work-related deaths during the same period of time.
How Do I Recover Compensation if I Was Hurt on the Job in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts construction workers have two primary options for recovering compensation after a work accident. You can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who caused the accident.
If someone other than your employer caused the accident, you may also have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against that third party.
Workers’ Compensation in Massachusetts
Workers’ compensation insurance is a no-fault system. That means you’re usually entitled to benefits even if you caused the accident.
While there are a few exceptions, Massachusetts workers’ compensation benefits generally provide compensation for:
- All reasonable and necessary medical expenses
- Permanent disability benefits equal to about two-thirds of your average weekly wages
- Temporary total disability benefits of up to 60% of your average weekly wages for three years
- Temporary partial disability benefits of up to 60% of the difference between your wages before and after the accident
You’re entitled to receive these benefits without showing that someone else was negligent. Unfortunately, for some workers, these benefits just aren’t enough to get by. You could also face unexpected challenges in receiving your workers’ compensation claim.
Third-Party Lawsuits
Workers’ compensation laws shield your employer from lawsuits based on work accidents. These laws protect only your employer and others on the job from liability. Third parties don’t receive similar immunity–meaning you may still have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation.
This is called the third-party claims process. You may have a valid third-party claim if your accident was caused by any non-employer.
Responsible parties may include:
- Property owners
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Engineers
- Architects
- The driver of a negligent vehicle in a car accident
- The manufacturer of a defective piece of equipment
The third-party claims process lets you recover compensation above and beyond what workers’ compensation offers. You’re entitled to financial compensation for both your out-of-pocket costs and inconvenience.
Examples of the types of compensation available in these injury cases include:
- Medical bills not covered by workers’ compensation
- 100% of your lost wages
- Lost future earning potential
- Physical therapy and rehab
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
While these damages are generally available, personal injury law is much different from workers’ compensation. Insurance companies aren’t just going to hand over a check. You have to prove who caused the accident. And you also have to prove the value of your injury claim–or you might end up accepting less than you deserve.
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, our experienced attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience helping injured workers. We’ve handled cases like yours before. We know how to get the proof you need to demand the most available compensation.
If you’re ready to learn more, we’re here to offer straight answers. Just give us a call or connect with us online to set up a 100% free case review.
We Handle All Types of Construction Accident Cases in Massachusetts
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, our construction accident lawyers in Massachusetts are ready to demand fair compensation from all parties who caused your accident.
We represent clients who have been injured in any type of construction accident, including:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Building collapses
- Trenching accidents
- Ladder accidents
- Electrocution accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Welding accidents
- Brazing accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Crane accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Accidents involving unsafe work equipment
- Motor vehicle accidents and truck accidents
We can also help if your injuries were caused by repetitive stress or exposure to toxic substances. If you were hurt on the job, give us a quick call today. We’ll set up a time to talk about what happened and explain your legal rights.
What Are Some Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Massachusetts?
Many construction accidents happen because someone wasn’t following state or federal safety regulations. However, there are many ways a construction site accident can happen. At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, our personal injury lawyers will work hard to get to the bottom of what happened in your case.
Some of the most common causes of construction accidents in Massachusetts include:
- Lack of proper fall protection
- Failure to protect workers on the ground from falling objects
- Miscommunication between parties on the job site
- Unsafe work equipment
- Failure to check for live power lines
- Improperly rigged equipment
- Slick or uneven surfaces
- Lack of proper training or supervision
You might not always know what caused your accident. That’s okay. An experienced personal injury lawyer has the resources to find out what happened. If you’re interested in learning more, help is just a phone call away.
Common Construction Accident Injuries in Massachusetts
The nature of construction work makes the construction site a dangerous place. If you’re hurt on the job, it’s very likely that those injuries can be serious. You might be out of work for weeks, if not months.
Our Massachusetts construction accident attorneys will fight to recover compensation for all of your injuries. Some common construction site injuries that we see in our practice include:
- Brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Eye injuries
- Hearing loss
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If you were hurt on the job, you may have options for recovering compensation. Not all construction workers are limited to what workers’ compensation provides. If you have questions about your legal rights, don’t hesitate to call for a free case review today.
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Construction Accident Lawsuit
State law caps the amount of time you have to pursue compensation after a work accident. Under Massachusetts law, most accident victims must file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of the accident.
Massachusetts workers’ compensation laws require that all claims be filed within four years of the date of the accident or the date you learned of a work-related illness.
Contact an Experienced Massachusetts Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, we never charge attorneys’ fees unless we win compensation for you. When you’re ready to learn more, call an experienced Massachusetts construction accident lawyer to discuss your options. We’re ready to get to work, so give us a call for a free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Accidents in Massachusetts
1. If I’m injured and take time off from work, will I be paid?
If you are injured due to a construction accident that occurred in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, or New Hampshire, you may be entitled to lost wages and workers’ compensation. Unfortunately, for some workers, these benefits aren’t enough to get by. You could also face unexpected challenges in receiving your workers’ compensation claim. You may receive compensation as to medical bills not covered by workers’ compensation, 100% of your lost wages, lost future earning potential, physical therapy and rehabilitation, disfigurement and scarring, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
2. During my workers’ compensation claim, am I at risk of losing my job?
Unfortunately, it is possible to lose your job in Massachusetts while you’re taking worker’s compensation. The reality is that employers aren’t required to keep your job open when you’re out on worker’s comp unless your union or individual contract states it explicitly. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to make sure your needs are being adequately met by your financial compensation.
3. In the event of a construction accident claim, how can I make sure I have sufficient documentation?
Although not required to file a claim, having documentation can only make for a smoother lawsuit. An accident report or police report are a few examples of documentation that may be helpful for a construction accident claim. If you get an opportunity, take pictures of the site, your injury, and anything else that you think might provide meaningful evidence.
