A construction collapse can happen suddenly, instantly changing a worker’s life. Collapse victims may suffer serious injuries that lead to expensive medical bills and prevent them from earning a living.
If you or your loved one was harmed in this way, our Fort Washington construction collapse accident lawyers can help you recover compensation to pay for your medical costs, lost wages, and more. Our seasoned industrial accident attorneys at Friedman Schuman Layser have over 40 years of experience that we can use to build your claim for crucial compensation.
What Causes Construction Collapse Accidents?
Construction collapse accidents often occur due to unsafe work practices, lack of worker protections, faulty equipment, and failure to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Collapse accidents commonly involve:
- Defective or improperly erected scaffolding
- Structural failures involving supports, walls, frameworks, and foundations
- Trench, tunnel, and excavation collapses/cave-ins
- Crane and heavy equipment collapses
- Lack of fall-protection equipment and other safeguards
Our Fort Washington attorneys can investigate the construction collapse, determine its cause, and hold responsible parties accountable for all your losses.
Who Is Liable for a Construction Collapse?
Liability for a construction collapse accident will depend on the exact circumstances that allowed it to happen. In general, at-fault parties may include any of the following.
Your Employer
If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, which is a type of no-fault insurance, you usually cannot hold them liable for an accident, but you can pursue a workers’ comp claim. However, you can hold uninsured employers at fault for negligence, such as failing to train workers or provide safety equipment.
A Coworker
Coworkers can be held liable for horseplay, mistakes made due to inattention or inexperience, and for failing to comply with OSHA regulations.
A Property Owner
The owner of the job site, building, trench, or other property where the collapse occurred can be financially responsible for accidents caused by negligent and dangerous property conditions.
An Equipment Manufacturer
If defective scaffolding, faulty supports, a mechanical failure, or other equipment problem caused or contributed to a construction collapse, the manufacturer of the equipment may be liable. Liability may also rest with the party in charge of ensuring the equipment was properly maintained.
A Third Party
Potentially liable third parties in construction accident cases may include general contractors, subcontractors, architects, and engineers.
Compensation You Can Seek for a Construction Collapse Injury
Our Fort Washington construction collapse accident lawyers can fight for the maximum settlement or verdict possible in your case. Compensation may include:
- Medical expenses, including current and future medical bills
- Lost income, including income from missed work and future lost wages
- Physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering, including reductions to your overall quality of life
- Wrongful death, including medical care, funeral and burial costs, and lost income for a fatally injured loved one
You should notify your employer about your construction accident injury immediately and file your workers’ compensation claim right away. If you must sue to get your claim paid, you have three years to file your case, according to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. If you have a personal injury case against a liable party, you have two years to file a lawsuit under Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 42 § 5524.
Our determined legal team can help you get started before the statutes of limitations and other essential deadlines expire.
Contact Our Attorneys in Fort Washington to Discuss Your Construction Collapse Injury Claim
You do not have to face the aftermath of a construction accident alone. Friedman Schuman Layser’s Fort Washington construction collapse accident lawyers can advocate for you, both in and out of court. Our attorneys serve clients across the state of Pennsylvania. Contact our team today for a consultation and learn how we can help.