Construction is a fundamental element of New Jersey’s economy, and the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development reports that 101,230 New Jersey residents were employed in a sector categorized as or directly linked to construction in 2018. Hoboken’s proximity to New York City means that many of the people of Hoboken may play a vital role in the Big Apple’s ever-present construction as well. This puts many Hobokeners, possibly including yourself or your loved one, at risk of suffering a construction-related injury or death.
If you or your family member have been injured or killed in a construction accident and you believe or suspect that one or more forms of negligence could have contributed to the accident, call the construction accident lawyers at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. today at (201) 585-9111 to speak for free about your eligibility for a lawsuit.
Labor Laws and What You Need to Know
Construction Is Dangerous by Nature
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, private construction led all industries in New Jersey occupational deaths in 2018, with 23 construction workers dying on the job or from injuries sustained while working construction. Falls were the leading cause of death among construction workers, but falling from significant heights is not the only possible danger facing construction workers.
Other hazards common to the construction industry, reported by the United States Department of Labor, include:
- The prevalence of incomplete or exposed electrical grids, which can cause potentially lethal shocks.
- An abundance of heavy materials, such as beams and pipes, that can cause severe injury if they are to fall on or otherwise collide with you.
- Unstable trenches that may trap workers if they collapse.
- Scaffolding that is unstable because it was constructed improperly or with shoddy materials. This can cause falls and heavy scaffolding materials to fall on you.
- The presence of heavy machinery, which can cause serious injury if not operated with caution and care.
Those who work in construction are generally aware of these dangers and accept some level of risk. For those who work construction, there are two broad categories of risk:
- Risks that are unavoidable
- Risks that are preventable
Generally speaking, construction workers can live with the unavoidable risks of the job, but not the preventable risks. If you or a loved one were exposed to avoidable risk and were injured or killed as a result, then you have a right to pursue justice in the form of compensation.
Verdicts and Settlements
$300,000 - Fall From Elevated Planking
Settlement in the case of a 62 year old electrician’s helper who died after falling from loose planking at a height of 22 feet in a boiler room at an apartment complex.
$2,325,000 - Work Site Accident
To an HVAC worker who fell through an opening in a roof. The defense argued the opening was obvious and he should have watched where he was going. We proved that the unprotected opening was an OSHA violation and the worker was entitled to a reasonable cover to protect him from an inadvertent slip and fall as required by Federal regulations.
$101,000,000 - Construction Accident
To 20 injured workers and the families of four workers who were killed in the collapse of a parking garage at the Tropicana Casino Resort in 2003. The case involved multiple defendants, including Tropicana and a number of construction contractors. The parking garage collapsed while it was under construction because rebar was not properly installed, leaving the floors disconnected from the walls. As part of the trial…
Forms of Negligence on a Construction Site
When a construction accident occurs, there may be several parties responsible, especially if negligence is deemed to be the cause of the accident. Some of the possible defendants in any construction accident lawsuit that you bring include:
- Any individual workers who caused the accident or directly contributed to conditions that led to the accident.
- A foreman responsible for the general safety of a construction site or operation.
- The owner of the construction company, who may be responsible for the actions of their employees.
- A government which failed to properly regulate unsafe behavior or hold accountable individuals or businesses that they knew were operating in one or more unsafe ways.
There is a nearly endless array of behaviors that can put construction workers at risk and ultimately qualify as negligence. Some of these include:
- Instilling a general culture of carelessness or speed-over-safety within a company or specific worksite.
- Hiring employees who are not physically capable of doing their job, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not licensed as they should be, or otherwise unfit to be working.
- Failing to conduct routine drug testing of all employees, and especially those who are directly accountable for the safety of others.
- Failing to purchase and install anti-fall equipment for employees who work at dangerous heights.
- Failing to purchase, keep on hand, and require safety equipment such as hard hats for every employee and visitor on a construction site.
- Failing to maintain and implement a robust safety training program for all employees.
Those who own, manage, and regulate a construction operation generally know the dangers of the construction industry. They accept the responsibility of preventing risks from translating into tangible harm to whatever extent they can control. When those in charge of safety—from local regulators, to owners, all the way down to individual employees—fail to promote safety, they may become liable for any injuries or deaths that occur.
If you suspect that negligence played a role in your or your loved one’s construction accident, call our team at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. today at (201) 585-9111 for a free consultation.
Injured Construction Workers Deserve Representation
Whether you were injured as a construction worker, a visitor on a construction site, or your family member was the victim of a construction accident, you deserve representation. Construction accident lawyers exist to serve, and may be able to take on your case for awards if negligence caused harm to you or your family member.
A law firm will conduct a free consultation as part of their effort to:
- Obtain a complete picture of how you or your loved one were injured
- Determine who all is responsible for the accident
- Decide which legal course of action could potentially result in your collecting compensation for your losses
Your construction accident attorney will then draft and file the paperwork to begin your negligence lawsuit. From there, they can:
- Collect evidence that is relevant to your case
- Conduct investigations that may unearth additional evidence
- Retain experts whose testimony may strengthen your case for awards
- Represent you in settlement negotiations or at trial
- Ensure that your rights are protected throughout the entirety of your legal case
Your lawyer’s mission will be to obtain coverage for your accident-related losses, which may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Permanent or long-term disability
- Diminished earning power
- Pain and suffering
The Maggiano, DiGirolamo, & Lizzi law office has been nothing short of amazing! All the members of their team have been outstanding from the beginning to the end. There were many struggles along the way with our situation, but they were right there when I needed them. As a person who has never needed a service of any lawyer, I had a ton of questions before and during the entire process, and I must say that Michael, Linda, Chris, and everyone else there, have all been straight shooters when it comes to the business. I would call/email them several times per day sometimes throughout the entire case and someone was always there to reply promptly and accurately each time. They do not mind going above and beyond for their clients which is honestly a rare thing to find in any professional line of work.
If you’re looking for a law firm with an amazing track record and who come highly recommended (even by other lawyers which I’ve spoken with in court during the case), look no further! You will not be disappointed with Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi law firm. If there ever comes a need for me to need assistance in a legal matter caused by a injury, I honestly would not even think twice before calling them again!
A+ on all aspects!
I want to express my deepest appreciation to the firm “MAGGIANO, DiIGIROLAMO
& LIZZI P.C. and to Cristopher DiGirolamo, in particular, for professionally and timely manner. The most important result for me is the successful completion of the case.
I also wish to express my thanks to the paralegal Nirelly Echanique and to Katty, the nice lady at the front desk.
Without any hesitation, I would recommend your firm to others.
Many thanks for your fruitful work.
I am delighted to provide this testimonial for Mr. DiGirolamo. His representation of me during my case was unflagging over its four-year duration. He kept me informed, and prepared for every eventuality as the case progressed.
He understood my fears and pain, and saw to it that Workmans Comp provided support for me until my civil case was settled. He prepared me substantially whenever necessary. I was very grateful for his understanding of the disastrous effect my accident had on every aspect of my life.
He was always supportive and kind personally, and totally professional. He reminded me to be realistic about the eventual outcome, and advised me as to the importance of my demeanor and attitude.
Everyone I came in contact with at the office was polite and helpful, in particular Marisol Suarez, Mr. DiGirolamo’s paralegal assistant. I will always be grateful for the way my case was handled.
Call the Hoboken Construction Accident Lawyers at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. Today
If you are considering bringing legal action because of a construction accident or have questions about negligence as it pertains to your accident, we may be able to help. Call our team at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. today at (201) 585-9111 to speak about your accident and possible case for awards at no cost to you.
