If you or a loved one were hurt in a construction site accident, you need an experienced Carbondale construction accident lawyer to protect your legal rights. Injured workers have trusted Marzzacco Niven & Associates for decades. We have what it takes to fight for fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more.
Our legal team has already recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients. We’re ready to stand up for you.
You could be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit and claim workers’ compensation benefits. To learn more, call our law offices in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, at (717) 995-8810 to schedule a free consultation today.
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How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After a Construction Accident in Carbondale
Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S. Pennsylvania is no different. If you were hurt on a construction site, you have options. Our Carbondale injury lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates are dedicated to helping you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Collectively, we have over 120 years of experience handling complex personal injury cases. Members of our legal team have been recognized as Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers of America and the National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40.” We also have two certified workers’ compensation specialists on our staff.
You don’t have to rely on a lawyer directory.
When you hire us, you can trust that we will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties
- Help you understand all legal options for recovering compensation, including a personal injury lawsuit
- Make sure you’re receiving the full workers’ compensation benefits available
- Defend you if you’re blamed for the accident
- Handle any challenges to your right to claim workers’ comp
- Negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf
It can be tough to know whether you’re receiving the full compensation you deserve. Call our Carbondale, PA law office today and learn more about how we can recover the money you deserve.
How Common Are Construction Accidents in Carbondale, PA?
Construction accidents are common, both in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, there were 976 fatal construction accidents nationwide in 2020.
In the state of Pennsylvania alone, 8,028 construction workers were injured on the job in 2020. In 2019, BLS data shows that 26 construction workers died in fatal accidents in Pennsylvania.
What is My Carbondale Construction Accident Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on a few different factors, including whether you’re limited to Pennsylvania workers’ comp benefits or are entitled to file a third-party lawsuit.
The value of your workers’ compensation claim depends on:
- The cost of your medical treatment (your doctor will be reimbursed directly for these costs)
- Your average weekly wages prior to the accident
- The duration of your recovery
- Whether you are totally or partially disabled during recovery
Workers’ comp provides valuable benefits. You’ll receive about ⅔ of your average wages prior to the accident. However, the amount of your weekly check will be subject to the statewide maximum payment amount. The maximum weekly check in 2022 is $1,205, regardless of your earnings.
If you’re eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit, the value of your case may increase. How much your personal injury claim is worth depends on the severity of your injury, your out-of-pocket costs and how the injury will impact your quality of life.
Whether you’re dealing with workers’ comp or an insurance company, it’s important to understand the value of your case. Otherwise, you risk taking less than you deserve.
Our experienced Carbondale construction accident attorneys at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can calculate the fair value of your case. Call our law firm to schedule a free case review today.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims?
Nearly all injured employees are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation laws, you may be entitled to the following types of benefits:
- Medical benefits to pay for all reasonable and necessary medical costs
- Wage replacement benefits for temporary or permanent disability
- Benefits for disfigurement or specific loss of a body part
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Workers’ compensation doesn’t provide money to make up for your personal, non-economic damages. It might not even compensate for the full extent of your economic damages.
You can’t sue your employer to recover these additional damages. Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against a negligent third party. This type of lawsuit is called a third-party claim.
If you’re eligible, you can seek full compensation for:
- Past and future expenses for medical care
- The full amount of your past and future lost wages
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your accident
- Emotional trauma
- Physical pain
- Disfigurment
- Disability
- Anxiety and depression
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life activities
You could be eligible to file a third-party claim if a third party’s actions contributed to the cause of your accident.
For example, you may have a third-party claim against a negligent:
- Property owner
- Driver in a car crash
- General contractor
- Engineer
- Manufacturer of defective tools or equipment
- Third-party vendor
These cases are handled like any other personal injury lawsuit. In other words, your compensation should make you “whole” again–meaning that you’re entitled to recover compensation to cover both your financial and non-financial losses.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Construction Accident in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania state comparative negligence laws are only relevant in the personal injury context. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You can file a claim for workers’ compensation even if you were responsible for causing the workplace accident.
If you can file a third-party claim, you can recover damages if you’re less than 51% responsible for the accident. Once your “percentage of fault” reaches 51%, you’re barred from seeking damages.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accidents often cause life-changing injuries. Some of those injuries may even be permanent.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our lawyers often represent injured workers who have sustained:
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Eye injuries and vision loss
- Back injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Burns
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Organ damage
- Amputation injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
We can also help you pursue damages for wrongful death if you lost a loved one in a fatal construction site accident.
We Handle All Types of Construction Accident Claims
Our lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates handle all types of construction accident claims, including those involving:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Electric shock and electrocution accidents
- Crane accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Falls from roofs or ladders
- Accidents involving falling objects
- Accidents where the worker is caught between two objects
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Defective equipment accidents
- Premises liability and negligent security
- Product liability
- Slip and fall accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Car accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Workplace violence
- Medical malpractice
Do you have questions about your legal rights after a work-related accident? Call an experienced Carbondale workers’ compensation lawyer for a free case evaluation today.
What Causes Most Construction Accidents in Carbondale, Pennsylvania?
A construction site can be a hectic place. While state and federal regulations are in place to keep workers safe, accidents happen on a regular basis regardless.
Some of the most common causes of construction accidents include:
- Lack of fall protection gear
- Failure to follow OSHA safety regulations
- Failure to provide proper safety equipment
- Communication failures
- Negligent hiring practices (failure to hire qualified workers)
- Failure to properly train and supervise workers
- Defective products, including unsafe work equipment
- Negligent property owners
- Motor vehicle accidents
Establishing the cause of the accident is important. It will determine who was responsible–and whether you’re entitled to seek additional compensation through the personal injury process.
Not sure what caused your accident? Our Carbondale personal injury attorneys can help you find out. Call our office location in Carbondale, PA for your free initial consultation today.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Construction Accident in Pennsylvania?
You won’t have to prove negligence to claim workers’ compensation benefits. The concept of negligence becomes important if you’re able to file a third-party lawsuit. Someone is negligent when they fail to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances.
To prove negligence, you must establish:
- The at-fault party’s legal duty of care
- A breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
In other words, if someone else’s careless acts caused your injuries, that person is considered “negligent” and can be held liable for damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Construction Accident in Pennsylvania?
To receive workers’ compensation benefits, you must notify your employer about the injury within 120 days of the accident. Otherwise, you risk forfeiting your right to benefits. It’s best to notify your employer as soon as possible.
Under the Pennsylvania statute of limitations, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Again, the clock starts running on the date of the accident.
Contact a Carbondale Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Do you have questions about your legal options after a construction accident? Call an experienced Carbondale construction accident lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates today. We offer a free consultation, so reach out for the legal advice you deserve today.