Were you injured in a building collapse while working in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania? In a matter of seconds, a structural failure can leave workers trapped beneath debris and facing serious, potentially life-changing injuries.
Marzzacco Niven & Associates has more than 120 years of combined experience and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients. Our Harrisburg building collapse accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and pursue the benefits available to you.
Give us a call today at (717) 231-1640 to arrange a free consultation.
Why Choose Marzzacco Niven & Associates After a Building Collapse Accident in Harrisburg, PA?
A building collapse in Harrisburg, PA, can turn an ordinary workday into a medical and financial crisis. While you are trying to recover from your injuries, you may also be worried about missing work, paying your bills, and dealing with the workers’ compensation process. Marzzacco Niven & Associates can handle the legal issues while you focus on your health and recovery.
Here are some reasons people choose to work with our Harrisburg personal injury lawyers:
- Multiple six- and seven-figure settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of clients
- Recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and other legal organizations
- Hundreds of five-star Google reviews
- More than 250 trials completed
Our Harrisburg workers’ compensation attorneys understand how difficult the days and weeks after a serious workplace accident can be.
Contact us today for a free consultation about your building collapse accident.
Why Do Building Collapses Happen in Harrisburg?
Buildings depend on interconnected structural components to safely carry their weight and withstand the forces placed on them. When one of those critical components fails, part or all of the structure can collapse.
Construction and demolition sites can be particularly dangerous because work in one area may affect the stability of another.
Factors that can contribute to a building collapse include:
- Structural or engineering problems
- Improper demolition procedures
- Failure of load-bearing walls or supports
- Defective construction materials
- Heavy equipment striking structural components
- Fires or explosions
- Severe weather
- Excessive loads placed on floors or roofs
A structural collapse does not have to involve an entire building to cause serious harm. A roof, floor, wall, scaffold, or other part of a structure can suddenly fail while workers are nearby.
What Injuries Can a Building Collapse Cause?
Workers caught in a building collapse may face several hazards at the same time. OSHA identifies falling objects, sharp debris, fires, exposed electrical wiring, hazardous materials, unstable structures, and secondary collapses as potential dangers at collapse sites.
Depending on the circumstances, workers may suffer:
- Severe cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Amputations
- Respiratory injuries from dust or hazardous substances
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken or crushed bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Internal organ damage
Some workers can eventually return to their jobs after treatment and time to heal. Others may face lasting limitations that force them to change jobs, reduce their hours, or leave the workforce altogether.
Recovery can also be unpredictable. Your medical needs may change as doctors learn more about your injuries, making it important to follow your treatment plan and keep records showing how the accident has affected your health and ability to work.
Can I Receive Workers’ Compensation After a Building Collapse in Harrisburg?
Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system provides benefits to qualifying employees who suffer work-related injuries. Depending on the circumstances, those benefits can include employer-paid medical treatment and wage-loss benefits when an injury prevents an employee from earning their usual wages.
Workers’ compensation may cover treatment related to your building collapse injuries, such as hospitalization, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation. If you cannot work or cannot earn the same wages because of your injuries, disability benefits may also be available.
You generally do not have to prove that your employer caused the building collapse to pursue workers’ compensation. However, disputes can still arise. An employer or insurance carrier may question whether an injury happened at work, how seriously you were hurt, or whether particular medical treatment is necessary.
A workers’ compensation attorney in Harrisburg can help you understand which benefits may apply and address disputes that arise during the claims process.
What Should I Do After a Building Collapse Accident?
Your immediate priority after a structural collapse should be your health and safety. Seek emergency medical care when necessary, and tell your healthcare providers that your injuries happened at work.
You should also notify your employer about the accident as soon as possible. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry advises injured workers to report workplace injuries promptly. Notice within 21 days can affect when benefits become payable, while waiting more than 120 days may result in losing workers’ compensation benefits unless your employer already knew about the injury.
When you are able, keep copies of documents related to the accident and your recovery, including:
- Medical records and bills
- Workplace accident reports
- Written communications with your employer
- Work restrictions from your doctor
- Pay stubs and wage records
- Photographs or videos related to the accident
Evidence from a collapse site can disappear quickly as emergency crews remove debris and property owners begin cleanup or repairs. Getting legal help early can make it easier to identify and preserve information that may matter to your claim.
Contact Our Harrisburg Building Collapse Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The aftermath of a building collapse can affect nearly every part of your life. Along with coping with painful injuries, you may be wondering when you can return to work, how you will pay your bills, and what happens if your injuries do not fully heal. You do not have to navigate Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation process without help.
Marzzacco Niven & Associates has more than 120 years of combined experience. Call our Harrisburg building collapse accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your options.