Construction work helps build our city. As a construction worker, you know the job comes with risks. When something goes wrong on the job site, those risks can turn into life-changing injuries or even loss of life.
If you were hurt while working on a construction site in Philadelphia, you have the right to compensation, whether through workers’ compensation or a personal injury lawsuit. Our experienced Philadelphia construction accident lawyer is here to help you understand your rights and explore your options.
At Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco, we are here to help during this time. Reach out to us today to learn how to get the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Construction Accidents Are Too Common in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a city in constant motion. With ongoing infrastructure upgrades, residential developments, and major commercial projects reshaping the skyline, there is a dangerous reality: construction sites are some of the most hazardous places to work. Unfortunately, too many workers are paying the price.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction accounts for a disproportionately high number of workplace injuries and fatalities. Last year, over 986 workers lost their lives. Every year, hundreds of construction workers across Pennsylvania are injured on the job.
Philadelphia consistently ranks among the top cities for job site accidents. The risks are real and everywhere, whether it’s a fall from a scaffold in Fishtown, an electrocution on a Center City commercial project, or a forklift incident on a highway work zone.
Many of these accidents are preventable. In most cases, the root cause is a failure to follow safety procedures, a lack of protective gear, poor site oversight, or malfunctioning equipment.
Unfortunately, safety often takes a back seat to speed and cost. Some contractors cut corners to meet deadlines. Others neglect basic safety protocols, fail to provide fall protection, or ignore known hazards on-site. That puts hardworking people, like you or your loved ones, at serious risk.
Whether you’re a union tradesperson, a day laborer, or a subcontractor, you have the right to work in a safe environment. When that right is violated and you’re hurt, you also have the right to seek justice.
At Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco, we can help you do that.
Common Hazards on Pennsylvania Job Sites
Construction sites are filled with hazards. Heavy equipment, elevated work areas, exposed wiring, and tight deadlines all combine to create an environment where one mistake or oversight can lead to tragedy.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified the four leading causes of death in the construction industry known as the “Fatal Four.” These are the most common, most deadly types of construction accidents. They make up more than half of all construction-related fatalities in the U.S. each year.
While OSHA’s “Fatal Four” gets most of the headlines, they are not the only dangers construction workers face daily.
Here are some of the other serious hazards we routinely see affecting local construction workers:
Forklift Accidents
Forklifts are essential to many job sites, but are dangerous when not handled correctly.
Our Philadelphia forklift accident lawyer has seen cases where forklifts have tipped over, struck other workers, or dropped heavy loads. These incidents often result in crushed limbs, internal injuries, or traumatic head wounds.
What makes this worse? Many forklift accidents are caused by insufficient training or employers pushing operators to rush. In turn, that sacrifices safety for speed.
Scaffolding Collapses
Scaffolding is everywhere in Philadelphia, especially with the city’s many brick buildings and multi-story rehabs. However, if those structures are improperly assembled or overloaded, it can trigger scaffolding accidents without warning.
Federal safety regulations require specific guardrails, secure anchoring, and weight limits. If those were ignored, and the scaffold gave out beneath you, that is not an accident; it’s negligence. And our Philadelphia scaffolding accident attorney can help with your claim.
Crane Accidents
Crane operations require precision, coordination, and constant attention to detail. One mistake can result in a tragedy.
Cranes that tip over, collide with buildings, or drop materials have caused some of the most catastrophic injuries we’ve seen.
Urban crane operations face strict safety standards. When contractors fail to follow those standards, workers pay the price by becoming the victim of devastating crane accidents. Our Philadelphia crane accidents attorney can help you explore your options.
Power Tool Injuries
Saws, nail guns, grinders, and drills become deadly if they malfunction or are used without proper safety gear. Our Philadelphia power tool accident lawyer has handled cases involving injury victims who have suffered deep lacerations, puncture wounds, electrocution, or even loss of fingers or limbs.
We have represented workers who were handed defective tools or told to “make do” without protective equipment. These are the types of power tool accidents that point to negligence on the part of management.
Trench Collapses
Underground utility work and foundation projects often require digging deep trenches. Without proper shoring, sloping, or shielding, those trenches can collapse in an instant. As a result, workers can be buried under thousands of pounds of soil.
These accidents are often fatal. For those who survive, they may suffer crushing injuries, oxygen deprivation, or long-term trauma.
Ladder Falls
A ladder might not seem as dangerous as a crane or power tool. However, ladder-related falls are one of the most common sources of serious injury in construction.
When ladders are damaged, placed on unstable ground, or used without a spotter, the employer may be liable for any injuries that follow.
If you were hurt in any construction site accident, you deserve clear answers and compensation to help with these financial burdens. Our Philadelphia construction accident lawyer can help you discover your options.
Your Employer’s Job Is To Keep You Safe
Construction work comes with risks, but that does not mean getting hurt is just “part of the job.” Under federal and Pennsylvania laws, employers are legally and ethically obligated to create a safe working environment.
When they fail to meet those obligations and someone gets hurt, they can and should be held accountable.
What Employers Are Required To Do
Construction employers in Philadelphia must take proactive steps to prevent accidents. These aren’t just optional guidelines but legal requirements designed to protect lives.
At a minimum, employers must:
- Provide proper safety training: Workers should know how to safely use equipment, identify site hazards, and follow emergency procedures.
- Ensure the use of personal protective equipment (PPE): This includes hard hats, harnesses, gloves, eye protection, and high-visibility vests.
- Inspect and maintain equipment regularly: Ladders, scaffolds, power tools, cranes, forklifts, and other machinery must be kept in safe working conditions.
- Comply with OSHA standards: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets enforceable rules on everything from trench depth to electrical safety.
- Report and document all accidents: Prompt reporting protects workers and records potential safety issues that must be addressed.
When employers follow the rules, many accidents can be avoided entirely. But unfortunately, not every company does what it is required to do.
When something goes wrong on a job site, you have the right to speak to a Philadelphia lawyer to see whether you have a case to pursue additional legal action.
Can You Take Legal Action Against an Employer?
Workers’ compensation laws prevent you from suing your employer directly for injuries sustained while working. When you get these benefits, you waive your right to sue your employer for negligence.
However, there are exceptions where you might be able to sue your employer:
- Intentional harm: If your employer intentionally caused your injury, for example, if they deliberately put you in a dangerous situation or acted recklessly, you may be able to file a lawsuit outside of workers’ comp.
- Gross negligence: In rare cases, if your employer’s actions went beyond ordinary negligence and involved gross negligence or extreme carelessness, you might be able to pursue additional legal action.
If you’re unsure whether you can pursue a lawsuit against your employer or another party, you still want to consult with a Philadelphia construction accident attorney. They can help you evaluate the specifics of your case and determine the best course of action.
What’s the Difference Between Workers’ Comp and a Personal Injury Claim?
One of the first questions we often hear is: “What’s the difference between workers’ comp and a personal injury claim?” Let’s break it down for you:
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ comp is a form of no-fault insurance your employer must carry. If you’re injured on the job, no matter who caused the accident, you are entitled to:
- Medical care related to your injury
- Partial wage replacement while you recover and can’t work
- Disability benefits if your injury results in long-term impairment
The main advantage of workers’ comp is that you do not need to prove your employer did anything wrong to qualify. You’re likely covered as long as the injury happened during your job duties.
However, workers’ comp has limits:
- You typically cannot sue your employer for negligence
- You will not receive compensation for pain and suffering
- The wage replacement is only a portion of your full income
- Benefits may be delayed, disputed, or cut off prematurely
In other words, workers’ comp is essential, but it falls short, especially if you have suffered a serious or life-altering injury.
Personal Injury Claim (Third-Party Lawsuit)
A personal injury claim is a separate legal action you can take when someone other than your employer is at fault for your injuries.
With a personal injury claim, you can seek additional compensation, including:
- Full wage loss
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Future medical expenses and rehabilitation
- Punitive damages for cases of gross negligence or recklessness
Unlike workers’ comp, a personal injury claim requires proof of negligence. Your Philadelphia construction accident attorney will need to show that someone else failed to act with reasonable care and that failure caused your injury.
Can You File Both?
Yes, in many cases, you can pursue both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party personal injury lawsuit at the same time. This is common in construction accidents. For example, if you receive workers’ comp benefits from your employer for your injury, you can also file a lawsuit against a subcontractor who caused the accident.
By combining both claims, you can maximize your recovery and make sure that your immediate and long-term needs are fully addressed.
Can Someone Other Than Your Employer Be Held Responsible?
While your direct employer is responsible for maintaining a safe work environment, they may not be the only party who played a role in your accident.
Construction sites involve multiple companies, contractors, and individuals. When one fails to follow safety standards, people can get seriously hurt.
Knowing who is at fault can open the door to additional compensation and may be the key to getting the full support you need to recover.
Here are some of the third parties we frequently investigate in construction site injury cases:
Subcontractors
Many sites include multiple subcontracting teams. If subcontractors leave debris in a walkway, fail to secure a scaffold, or ignore site safety rules, their negligence could lead to a serious accident.
General Contractors
The general contractor is responsible for overall site safety. That includes making sure all subcontractors are trained, equipment is properly maintained, and OSHA rules are enforced. They could be liable if they cut corners, fail to supervise properly, or overlook known hazards.
Property Owners or Developers
The property owner may sometimes be partially responsible. They may share in the liability if they fail to disclose known dangers on the premises or restrict access to unsafe areas.
Equipment Manufacturers or Distributors
If a defective ladder caused your injury, a malfunctioning power tool, or a faulty harness, the manufacturer of that product may be held accountable. This is called a product liability claim.
This applies when equipment fails due to poor design, manufacturing flaws, or a lack of proper warnings.
Third-Party Vendors or Maintenance Crews
Some sites use outside companies for cleaning, deliveries, or specialized services. If a third-party contractor created a hazard, they, too, could be held responsible for the harm that resulted.
Why Third-Party Claims Matter
Workers’ compensation is limited. It can cover your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages, but it does not cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Long-term loss of earning capacity
- Punitive damages when someone acts recklessly
To recover those kinds of damages, you must pursue a third-party personal injury claim in addition to your workers’ comp case.
Our legal team works with investigators, safety experts, and engineers to identify all possible sources of liability. We will dig into the contracts, site reports, witness statements, and safety logs to understand what went wrong and who is accountable.
Our Philadelphia Construction Accident Lawyer Is Here To Help
If you were hurt on a construction site in Philadelphia, you deserve real answers, trusted legal guidance, and a team that will fight for everything you’re owed.
Whether you’re dealing with medical bills, lost wages, or the emotional toll of a life-changing injury, we’re here to help with your legal options.
At Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco, we’ve helped countless construction workers and their families recover the compensation they deserve from workers’ comp and third-party lawsuits.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Our Philadelphia construction accident lawyer can help you understand your next course of action.
