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
$346,000 - Workers Compensation Claims and Hostile Work Environment
Settlement was obtained for a 34 year old schoolteacher who claimed work related injury to her neck, back, shoulders, knees and head suffered during two separate work related accidents.
$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.
$3,200,000 - Construction Accident
To a 35 year old iron worker who fell from a steel frame building under construction due to the failure of the general contractor to provide a safe workplace which included supervision for the use of safety equipment and guide wires.
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
I cannot express how grateful and pleased I am to have had Christopher DiGirolamo and his paralegal Christine Carrino represent me in connection with my personal injury action.
What had happened to me was an event that was about to completely change my life.
Initially I was unable to go to the offices of Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi because of my injuries. I had been hit by a motor vehicle while walking in a crosswalk. Christopher came to me. He offered not only expert legal advice but helped significantly with other things like obtaining police reports, how to handle telephone calls, photographing the scene and even advice about warding off “adjusters” who came knocking on my door. Most importantly, Christopher listened. His compassion, knowledge and understanding cannot be overstated.
I, as a lawyer with medical knowledge who needed a lawyer, would consider myself to be somewhat of a challenging client. Christopher took all this in stride and was fearless in offering guidance and advice when I was having difficulty looking at things objectively. Christopher allayed my anxieties and made me feel better each and every time we spoke. He put things in perspective for me while at the same time, not sugar coating the difficult days ahead that were in store for me, both physically and throughout the legal proceedings. Christopher asked me about my preferences and my choices. He was always interested in my ideas and my point of view. Christopher balanced my convictions with his undeniable objectivity and expertise.
Throughout the protracted course of discovery and pre-trial conferences, Christopher went out of his way to communicate with me and keep me informed. When Christopher was in court we engaged in many real time texting sessions. He respected my decisions about strategy and was constant in upholding his integrity. With Christopher’s tenacity and wit, the case was ultimately resolved without trial.
Christopher and the law firm of Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. made every effort to accommodate me in whatever way they could. I offer my thanks and gratitude.
Mr. Michael Maggiano is an outstanding attorney who uses his many years of experience and wisdom to put forth a solid representation of his client. In my particular case, Mr. Maggiano showed compassion, caring, and commitment in order to bring about a successful resolution involving a local municipality. My case seemed to be unique in that it’s not often that there is a successful pursuit of justice when a municipality is involved. I was lucky to find Mr. Maggiano through the recommendation of other outstanding attorneys, and he certainly measured up to every expectation. Mr. Maggiano’s thoroughness and drive to seek a justifiable agreement in my favor cannot be under-stated; he met with me and my husband day or night, weekend or weekday; he always gladly returned calls and emails promptly. The devotion Mr. Maggiano and his staff displayed to us made us feel that we were his sole priority; simply stated he makes you feel special. While being reassuring and kind, Mr. Maggiano leaves no stone unturned in his research, preparation, and presentation. His vast knowledge works to his client’s advantage, and he is revered by fellow attorneys and judges in New Jersey and New York.
In addition, the staff at Maggiano, DiGirolamo, and Lizzi always represented the highest caliber of professionalism. Office staff, legal assistants, and the firm’s attorneys were always diligent while being respectful, polite, and caring. It is without hesitation that I give Mr. Maggiano my highest praise and recommendation.
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi has a team of dedicated attorneys, knowledgeable and give 110% to each one of their cases.
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.
