Pennsylvania Personal Injury Blog

A construction worker in northeastern Pennsylvania was injured after a piece of a forklift fell six stories, hit the ground, and then hit him on the rebound. The Centre Daily Times in Scranton reported that the accident occurred at a University of Scranton construction site on February 23.

Workers in construction incurred the most fatal injuries of any industry in the private sector in 2009, with 818 workers killed. Ten of those construction workers were killed after being struck by an object. About 414 workers among all industries were killed by falling objects or equipment. There are many injury risks for construction workers. These risks include working with heavy equipment lifting, digging, moving construction equipment, and many more. There are power tools, trenches, heavy objects, scaffolding, chemicals, power tools, and many other hazardous objects and situations around them every day.

If you have suffered an injury while working at a construction site in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia construction accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP may be able to help. Our skilled lawyers will investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, determine if inadequate safety measures and equipment led to your injuries, and work hard to help you and your family receives the damages you deserve. We represent workers who have suffered injury in construction accidents that include malfunctioning machinery accidents (conveyers, forklifts, cranes, tractors, augers, etc.), faulty tools (saws, grinding wheels, sprayers, etc.), defective ladders, and scaffolding accidents, as well as the collapse of floors and walls. Call us today for a free consultation.

A 25-year-old worker was injured in a fall while doing repairs on the outside of a building in Secaucus, NJ. According to NJ.com, his safety harness prevented him from hitting the ground, but he fell six stories and suffered a head injury when he swung into the building during the fall.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2009 showed that there were 617 worker fatalities caused by falls. They are the leading cause death in the construction industry.

If a construction company fails to offer a safe workplace for its workers, whether by not providing the proper safety equipment, not adequately training workers in safety regulations, or by ignoring safety rules altogether, a construction worker injured on the job should contact an experienced construction accident lawyer to learn what compensation may be available to them.

If a “third-party,” which is a party other than the worker’s employer or its employees, is responsible for a worker’s injury, such as producing a product that is found to be defective and contributes to a workplace injury, a third-party claim may be able to be filed. Third-party claims usually provide monetary damages that are more than the workers’ compensation benefits that would be available for the same injury.

The Pennsylvania construction site fall accident attorneys at the personal injury law firm Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have many decades of combined experience helping injured workers and their families seek damages against construction companies whose negligence led to a worker’s injury or death. We will investigate how the accident occurred so we can determine if the fall could have been prevented. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation.

On January 10, two brothers from Mexico were victims of a wall collapse in Queens, NY. One was crushed by scaffolding and cinder and died from his injuries. The New York Times reports that his brother and two other workers were injured in the accident.

These types of wall collapses are common at construction sites. In fact, 101 workers died from being crushed or caught in collapsing materials in 2008. In the past 20 years, the rate of work-related fatalities for Latinos/Hispanics has exceeded the rate for U.S. workers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported that between 2003 and 2006, the fatality rate for Latino workers exceeded the rate for all workers by nearly 35 percent. The possible reasons for the high injury rates for Latino workers include the high number of Latinos in very hazardous jobs and a reluctance to report unsafe conditions for fear of retaliation from employers.

The families of the worker who died in the wall collapse accident and the injured workers would be well advised to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.

If you have been injured while working at a construction site, please call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP for a free consultation. Our Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers will look to see if any negligence on the part of a contractor contributed to your injury. If there was any negligence on the part of the developer of the building, he could also be held liable. Call our office today for a free consultation.

A construction worker was killed January 3 in a trench collapse on the Linden Street Bridge in Allentown, PA. The Delaware County Times reports that the worker was killed after it collapsed and hit him and another worker with gravel and concrete. The other worker was seriously injured.

Trench collapses cause dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries each year. In 2008 there were about 101 trench cave-in deaths. When a trench caves in, the worker can be seriously injured or die from being crushed by the soil or ground or die from asphyxia. They could also be injured from falls into the trench, falling debris, and being struck by trenching equipment. They can even die from exposure to poisonous gases in the trench.

These types of construction accidents could be prevented when the necessary precautions are taken. Not entering an unprotected trench, using a protective system for trenches 20 feet deep, and making sure an engineer designs a protective system for trenches 20 feet deep or greater are just some of the ways workers can prevent injury and death.

When a fatal construction site accident like this happens, the worker’s family faces hardship. Not only do they lose their loved one’s wage-earning ability, but they are left with medical and funeral expenses.

When a construction worker is injured or killed while at work, the victim’s family should contact an experienced Philadelphia construction accident lawyer to seek damages against the employer. The attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have successfully represented the families of workers killed in construction site accidents for many years. If your loved one was recently killed in a tragic construction accident such as this one, call our law office today for a free and confidential consultation.

MercuryNews.com reports that a California jury awarded worker David Travis more than $11.7 million for his injuries suffered during construction of a San Rafael, California hotel in 2007. After hitting his head multiple times while working, he was nearly paralyzed and now has lifelong neurological injuries. It was determined that the general contractor, Bison Builders, did not provide a safe work environment, and their negligence caused the man to suffer his injuries.

Building construction often results in serious injuries and even death. In 2008, 197 workers died that were in the building construction industry.

Mr. Travis was only 38-years-old when he was injured. In 2008, there were 1,084 workers killed who were between the ages of 35 and 44, which represented 21 percent of all worker fatalities that year. In California, there were 404 worker fatalities for that year, the second highest number of any state. Pennsylvania had 240 worker deaths in 2008.

According to the article, it sounds like this tragic construction accident could have been prevented. It is not clear why Bison Builders did not take the necessary precautions to keep their workplace or their employees safe. In many cases, employers try to cut costs by being lax on safety regulations, and unfortunately, it is the employees who suffer because of an employer’s negligence. When rules aren’t followed, the end result can be catastrophic, as in the case of Mr. Travis.

Safety regulations are in place to help prevent these types of tragedies from occurring, but unfortunately, rules are not always followed. It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure employees are aware of safety regulations and are trained in safety protocol.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspects work environments for hazards and provides resources on its website for workers to make use of if they believe their workplace is dangerous. If the agency does not catch a safety issue at a workplace before an injury occurs, this could be part of a work injury claim.

The Philadelphia work injury lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP understand OSHA laws and know how to work with employers and their insurance companies following a workers’ compensation claim in Pennsylvania. Call our law office today for a free consultation about your workplace injury case.

Contractor Bruce Hardy was working on a dam project at the Holtwood Dam on December 16 when he was struck and killed by a piece of construction equipment. The York Daily Record reports that the man was stuck against the side of an excavation site in Lancaster and was then hit by a piece of swinging equipment.

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show just how dangerous construction sites can be. In 2008, there were 969 construction-related fatalities, the most fatalities of any industry that year. A total of 508 construction workers were struck and killed by objects or construction equipment that same year.

Hardy worked for Walsh Construction, a Chicago contracting company. His family would be well advised to contact an experienced construction accident attorney to see if there was any negligence on the part of the company that contributed to his death. A skilled lawyer will investigate whether the construction area was safe and whether any safety precautions were ignored.

Although Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits provide assistance to injured workers and their families following a workplace accident, these benefits are not always sufficient, especially when a worker has been killed. If a construction accident is caused by any equipment defects or malfunctions, there is a potential third-party claim against the equipment’s manufacturer. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a third-party may be held liable for the damages of a Pennsylvania work accident.

The Philadelphia construction accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP understand the complexity of workers’ compensation laws and know how devastating a construction accident can be for a victim and their family. Our lawyers can help by offering a free consultation to discuss your Pennsylvania workplace accident case.

Fox 43 News reports that a 59-year-old construction worker lost his life recently when he was struck by a piece of heavy equipment. He and his coworkers were working on the construction of the Holtwood Dam in Lancaster County.

When the accident occurred, the workers were trying to move an equipment loader that had gotten stuck on a steep hill. They brought in other pieces of heavy equipment and one of these fatally struck the worker, who was unable to recover from his injuries.

The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), is investigating the fatal Pennsylvania workplace injury accident, as well as PPL, who owns the damn, and Welsh Construction, who employed the construction worker. Prior to this incident, the workers at the dam had worked 267 consecutive days without a single injury.

Losing a loved one is a tragedy no family should endure. Unfortunately, accidents happen, particularly in dangerous workplaces such as construction sites. In Pennsylvania, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which pays the expenses of employees who are injured while on the job. It may also offer payments to the families of workers who lose their lives on the job.

If you have been injured in a workplace accident in Pennsylvania, please contact the knowledgeable and experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. We will thoroughly examine your case and fight for the compensation you need to move forward after an accident at a workplace. To learn more, call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today at 1-888-684-7192 to schedule a free consultation.

Philly.com reports that a worker died after he was struck by a refrigerator that was thrown off a building’s balcony. The accident occurred on December 14 in Milwaukee. A construction crew was emptying the contents of a building and workers threw the refrigerator after they were given the all clear, but the victim walked out and was hit.

Unfortunately, these types of accidents are common at construction sites in Pennsylvania and often result in head injuries and death. In fact, statistics from The Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2008 showed that out of the 5,071 construction workers killed that year, 349 were killed when they were struck by falling objects. Injuries of this type increased about 7 percent from the previous year.

This tragic construction site accident shows how important it is for employers to train their workers in proper safety etiquette and make sure they are aware of the rules and laws that are in place. In this case, the workers reportedly called out “all clear,” before throwing the refrigerator, but this was not adequate warning, as the victim was struck by the object.

There are standards for workplace safety in Pennsylvania that include requirements for safety equipment, dealing with heavy objects, machinery or dangerous chemicals; and regular worker breaks. OSHA will investigate this accident, but it may take several months to conclude why this tragedy occurred.

The family of the man who was killed in this catastrophic construction site accident would be advised to find an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who will thoroughly investigate the accident. Not only could the employer be held liable, but if the man’s co-workers were at-fault, they could also be held legally responsible for his death. The Philadelphia construction site accident lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP can help injured Pennsylvania construction workers and their families by answering their questions during their free consultation regarding their case.

On November 9, a man working outside a New York high-rise building was injured after being struck by an HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) unit that fell 15 stories from an apartment building on Park Avenue, reports NJ.com.

In 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 349 worker fatalities in which the worker was struck by a falling object or falling equipment. Unfortunately, injuries from falling objects are common accidents in the workplace. Items falling such as overhead boxes, office supplies, or even roofing or other building material in a construction site can strike a worker and lead to severe injuries. Workers who are struck by falling objects often suffer serious concussions, brain injuries, back injuries, paralysis, broken bones, or even death.

If another contractor’s worker did not set up equipment properly, or a subcontractor made an error, then that injured worker could have a third party claim. This is a claim against someone other than the worker’s employer.

If you have suffered injuries in a construction accident in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia construction accident injuries attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP may be able to help. After a free initial consultation, we can investigate the circumstances surrounding the construction site accident, determine if inadequate safety measures or equipment led to your injury and work hard to help you receive the compensatory damages you deserve. Call the experienced personal injury attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP for a free consultation today.

NJ.com reports that a construction worker was killed after being trapped under a milling machine on the New Jersey turnpike on November 9.

The accident happened around midnight. The construction worker was setting the depth on the “rolling grinder” machine when the operator of the apparatus noticed he had been trapped.
In 2009, there were a reported 224 fatal construction work injuries, the most of any industry in the private sector. The number of fatalities in construction did decline 16 percent since 2008, which may be due to economic factors. Out of the total number of work fatalities that year, 232 workers were killed by being caught or compressed in machinery.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported about 20% of workplace injuries take place between 4 p.m. and midnight. Although that may appear safer, the severity of the injuries is greater in the non-daytime hours.

Safety in the workplace is the first step in the reduction of workplace injury accidents in Pennsylvania. State and federal laws are in place that set strict standards for workplace safety, including requirements for safety equipment; procedures for dealing with heavy objects, machinery or dangerous chemicals; and limitations on how long workers may go without a break. It is the job of the employer to not only adhere to these rules, but also to train their workers in proper safety etiquette and make sure they are aware of the rules and laws that are in place.

Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have the knowledge and skill to represent cases of severe injury or death from Pennsylvania construction site accidents. They have successfully represented the families of workers killed in Pennsylvania construction site accidents caused by the following: heavy equipment; faulty scaffolding; electrocutions; falls; malfunctioning equipment; lax safety regulation enforcement; trench cave-ins exposure to toxic chemicals; falling objects; and other fatal construction site accidents. If your loved one has been killed in a PA construction accident, please call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP for a free consultation.

On November 5, a Columbia Gas worker was struck by a car and killed while working in York, PA. According to The York Daily Record, there have been several similar Pennsylvania car accidents in this region in the past eight years.

In 2008 in the United States, about 5071 fatal work injuries were reported. Two-fifths of those incidents were transportation accidents. Of the 2053 transportation fatalities, 322 involved a workers being struck by a vehicle.

There are many potential hazards on a Pennsylvania construction site that endanger workers’ lives. When a worker is killed on the job, the victim’s family should contact an experienced Pennsylvania construction accident death lawyer to seek damages against the company. If a third party caused or contributed to the accident that killed the victim, that party may also be liable under all the laws that govern injuries outside the workplace. A third party is any person or organization that is not the victim’s employer and includes the driver of a car that hit your loved one while they were at work.

The Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have many decades of combined experience helping families during this very difficult time. They have successfully represented the families of workers killed in construction site accidents. Families may face economic hardship, which includes medical and funeral expenses that can lead to extreme financial and emotional suffering.

An attorney from Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP can launch an investigation into the fatal Pennsylvania construction accident, determine if safety measures were in place and fight hard to seek damages for the victim’s family. Call today for a free consultation.

New Jersey Department of Public Works employee Jay Artale was injured while repairing a water main in Fairfield, NJ on October 29. An article on NJ.com reports that he sprained his neck and back and suffered bruises on his legs and arms when the walls of a hole caved in on him. A co-worker was also injured.

Construction sites are often associated with a higher amount of vulnerability as opposed to the environments of a common office or shop. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported 299 fatalities in 2008 that were caused by being caught in or compressed by objects. That same year, there were a total of 91 construction injuries in New Jersey, 15 of which were due to contact with an object or equipment.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, an experienced work injury attorney would look at the specific conditions and factors that led to that injury. The Pennsylvania work injury lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have helped many workers pursue claims for injuries that left them with limited means to provide for families and make their own way along a future career path.

These experienced, aggressive Pennsylvania construction accident injuries attorneys have many decades of combined experienced helping injured workers and their families seek damages to help pay for construction accident injuries such as crushed limbs, back injuries, paralysis, electrocutions, broken bones, internal injuries, head injuries, severed limbs, chemical burns, and others.

They can advise clients on necessary parts of a workers’ compensation process, such as an independent medical review where the injured worker may be required to participate. Skilled legal teams can guide the work injury victim through the entire process of building and pursuing a case.

Call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today so they can help you find your way to a successful end to a PA work injury case.

One construction worker died and another was injured after a roof collapsed at The Hill School in Pottstown on November 1. An article in The Delaware County Times reported that the men were working on the roof of a utility building when the Pennsylvania construction accident occurred.

Falls from roofs are of particular concern at construction sites. In 2008, there were 121 worker deaths in caused by falls from a roof. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that from 2003 to 2007, construction worker falls from roofs resulted in 686 fatalities. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls at construction sites are the most frequent causes of deaths, and account for about one of three construction-related fatalities every year.

Most construction site fall accidents occur in one of the following scenarios: unprotected sides, wall openings and floor holes; improper scaffold construction; unguarded protruding steel rebar; and/or misuse of portable ladders.

The Pennsylvania construction site accident attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have decades of experience helping injured workers and their families seek damages against construction companies. It is essential to understand how and why safety lapses occurred, to determine how the fall accident could have been prevented with the right equipment and to help the victim and their family pursue damages. If you or a loved one has been injured by a fall at a Pennsylvania construction site, call us today at 888-684-7192 for a free consultation.

A 45-year-old man working on a crane was seriously injured after his crane was hit by a Gold Medal Disposal garbage truck. Philly.com reported that the man was knocked unconscious and taken to Jefferson University Hospital.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported in 2008, there were about 969 fatalities resulting from construction accidents. These fatalities account for about one-fifth of all workplace fatalities that year. There were a total of 345 fatalities where a worker was struck by a moving vehicle.

When a third party, like in this construction accident, caused or contributed to the accident, that party may also be liable under laws that govern injuries outside the workplace. In this case, the worker may claim workers’ compensation while pursuing a personal-injury lawsuit against the third party. A third party is any person or organization that is not your employer or a co-worker, such as a manufacturer of defective equipment or the driver of a car that hit someone while they were at work. The injured employee is free to sue this party while also collecting workers’ compensation benefits.

The PA construction accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP are advocates for construction workers and remain dedicated to their representation in the effort of obtaining desirable results. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a construction site accident in Pennsylvania, call us for a free initial telephone consultation with a Philadelphia construction site injury lawyer.

A utility worker in Washington DC was injured on September 16 when a crane hit some overhead wires and electrified the machine. The Washington Post reported that the worker suffered serious electric-shock injuries and burns. His injuries may be life-threatening and, at the time of the article, he was taken to Washington Hospital Center.

Electrocutions are a devastating type of injury. The Electrical Safety Foundation International found that over a five-year period (2003 to 2007) worker contact with electric current was responsible for 1,213 fatal workplace accidents. Additionally, 13,150 workers were so severely injured from these electrical contacts that missed work-days due to these injuries.

EHStoday.com, reported that the leading cause of on-the-job electrical deaths was worker contact with overhead power lines. The second leading cause involved workers coming in contact with wiring, transformers, or other electrical components. These injuries occurred more often to an employee whose job routinely involved working with electrical components.

Construction sites, factories, job sites, and other unsafe premises may expose people to dangerous conditions leading to electrocution of those working on the premises. Sometimes these types of injuries can also be caused by the negligence of a third party or a defective product. The third party in some cases may be the property owner where the electrocution occurred and/or the maker or seller of the defective product that caused the injuries or death. Electrical injuries can be serious, and even fatal. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury or death as a result of a Philadelphia electrical accident, either on a construction site or other location, contact the Pennsylvania electrocution accident lawyers at Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano about your case. We offer free initial consultations.

A construction worker in Pittsburgh, PA seriously injured himself when he fell about 50 feet and landed on a concrete pier. According to the article on pittsburghlive.com, he broke several ribs, dislocated his shoulder, punctured his lung and fractured his scapula.

He was sandblasting steel girders to prepare the Donora-Monesson bridge for painting, a $19.9 million bridge rehabilitation project. He landed on a pier about 20 feet away from the Monongahela River shore.

Emergency personnel used a rescue basket and lowered it 50 feet to the shore. He was then taken to an area hospital.

The man in this accident, who was employed by J. F. Shea Construction Inc., may want to get in touch with a skilled Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney who can thoroughly investigate the work accident and develop a strong case. An experienced lawyer would also examine whether a “third party claim” applies. Third party claims in Pennsylvania are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for contributing to the workplace accident and any injuries, then they could be held legally accountable.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Construction Accident Injures Worker after Fall from Pier" »

Justin Plank, a 21-year-old man, was injured on May 12 at a gas station in Norwalk, CT after a steel beam fell off a payloader and struck him in the leg. According to this article, Plank was guiding a 16-foot steel pillar into place at when a chain wrapped around the claw-bucket holding the beam slipped. The beam crashed to the ground and cut a gash into his lower left leg.

Plank, who works for East Hartford-based Van Horst Commercial Construction, and a payloader operator were unloading the pillars and beams off a flatbed trailer when the accident happened.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident.

Mr. Plank would be well advised to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Any worker who has sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of their employment has a potential workers’ compensation claim. The injury can occur while traveling on business, doing a work-related errand, attending a required business-related social function, or even while on a break or using restroom facilities and you are still legally covered by workers compensation.

Whether your injury was a simple slip and fall, or involves serious injuries, Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano can help you. These dedicated PA work injury lawyers will do everything possible to get the monetary compensation that is owed to you to help pay medical bills, physical therapy, loss of work and more.

An unidentified gas-drilling rig worker was injured on April 13 in Binghamton, NY after he was struck by a section of pipe that may have broken away from a piece of lifting equipment. According to this article on Pressconnects.com, he was airlifted from the accident scene to a hospital for treatment.

The article reported that although initial reports indicated there might have been an explosion at the drilling site, emergency workers who responded discovered there was no explosion and the accident was construction-related.

A pipe fell or broke away from a lift and hit the workers standing near the platform area.

The accident happened just over a month after another gas-drilling-rig worker died in a fall in Towanda Township.

The victim here would be well advised to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced Pennsylvania injury attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Continue reading "Gas-Rig Worker Injured in NY Construction-Related Accident" »

A construction worker was seriously injured by a two-floor fall as he worked on a home in Mahwah, NJ. According to this article on northjersey.com, the man was trying to help brace drywall being lifted into the second floor of a new-construction home when the drywall started to fall backward, throwing the man onto a plywood floor on the first level. The 24-year-old worker from Elmwood Park landed on his back and was bleeding from his mouth and nose. He was temporarily unconscious and taken to a nearby hospital.

Fall accidents occur far too often within the construction field. Several of these fall construction accidents, whether they take place in New Jersey, Pennsylvania or any other state, can cause serious injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injury, brain injury, and even death.

Any worker who has sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of their employment has a potential workers’ compensation claim. The Pennsylvania work injury can occur while traveling on business, doing a work-related errand, attending a required business-related social function, or even while on a break or using restroom facilities and you are still legally covered by workers compensation. Some types of workers’ compensation injures include construction injuries, repetitive stress to a body part, and environmental hazards.

By law, it is required that every company in Pennsylvania carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance in the case an employee is injured on the job, becomes ill due to circumstances surrounding their job, or even if death results from their job.

Whether your injury was a simple slip and fall, or involves serious injuries and property damage, Cherry, Fieger & Marciano Philadelphia accident attorneys can help you to get the monetary compensation that is owed to you to help pay for medical bills, physical therapy, loss of work, and more.

A 47-year-old worker from Winsted, CT was injured on March 17 when a section of a pipe trench collapsed on him. According to this article on CTPost.com, the worker suffered leg and back injuries and was transported to the Bridgeport Hospital trauma unit.

The soil shifted and part of the protective trench box buckled and gave way, burying the worker’s legs and pinning him against an excavator arm.

The man is an employee of K&W Construction Co. of Southbury, CT a subcontractor on a $37 million project. He was leveling the bottom of a 10-foot-deep trench so that concrete pipe could be installed in it.

The worker received advanced life support from paramedics and then was lifted out of the trench in a basket and brought to the hospital.

Any worker who has sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of their employment has a potential workers’ compensation claim. The injury can occur while traveling on business, doing a work-related errand, attending a required business-related social function, or even while on a break or using restroom facilities and you are still legally covered by workers compensation. Some types of workers’ compensation injures include construction injuries, repetitive stress to a body part, and environmental hazards.

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On March 2, a construction worker doing welding work in Cateret, NJ was injured when an explosion caused the doors of his pickup truck to fly off and smash into him.

According to this article on nj.com, the man was welding at a construction site at a Verizon Wireless data center when the explosion erupted. He was the only one injured in the blast.

Any worker who has sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of their employment has a potential workers’ compensation claim. The injury can occur while traveling on business, doing a work-related errand, attending a required business-related social function, or even while on a break or using restroom facilities and you are still legally covered by workers compensation. Some types of workers’ compensation injures include construction injuries, repetitive stress to a body part, and environmental hazards.

Continue reading "NJ Construction Worker is Injured in Explosion" »

Two bridge-builders working on the Pennsylvania Turnpike were injured when a ten-foot circle of steel tipped over and them along with parked cars. The two men were immediately taken to local hospitals with what was thought to be non life-threatening injuries, according to the Parryville Fire Chief. They are employees of Walsh Construction and were working on laying the steel framework for a column support for a bridge replacement project in its early stages. The fire chief, one of the first to respond to the accident, reported that he was not sure what the cause of the accident was, but that an investigation would be carried out.

Construction sites are very dangerous work places and the state and federal government have imposed safety policies and regulations to ensure worker safety. Construction accidents in Pennsylvania continue to be common, despite the many state and federal regulations, as well as industry standards, requiring owners, general contractors and sub-contractors to implement a wide variety of safety measures to ensure worker safety. Negligent general contractors, sub-contractors, vendors, and employees can cause many of these dangers, which often result in substantial injuries to construction workers at the job site. In fact, construction accidents often cause life-threatening conditions, require amputation or extensive reconstructive surgery, and tragically leave innocent victims with brain injuries, disfigurement, and other conditions that impact their ability to hold down a job or even pay for their own care.

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A 33-year-old construction worker died in Southhampton Village, New York on January 4, 2010 when a foundation wall at a worksite collapsed and pinned him underneath. According to a report, the accident may have been the result of poor workmanship and attempts to cut corners.

The worker was trapped beneath the fallen concrete wall.

According the article, the victim was digging under the wall before the collapse to install footings, structural supports that should have been in place before the concrete wall was poured and the forms were removed.

An inspector for the Southampton Village commented that the concrete wall should have been reinforced with steel, but was not reinforced at all.

The construction site is being investigated by the Village Building department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The family of this deceased worker would be well advised to contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Continue reading "Worker Killed in Job Site Accident" »

A man working as part of a construction company at Calise & Son’s Bakery in Lincoln, Rhode Island, was rushed to the hospital after an accident partially severed his leg on December 29. According to an article, the local Fire District Chief said that the victim is 50-years-old, and was working on a hole in the ground that was getting ready to be filled with concrete when he was injured.

The man was taken to a nearby hospital and police have turned the investigation over to Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Continue reading "Construction Accident Severs Man's Leg" »

One worker was killed and another injured on November 10 when a crane tipped over at the construction site of a Kansas City, Missouri performing arts center. According to an article on KansasCity.com, the two men were in the bucket of the 100-foot-tall JLG Lift when it fell away from the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. It then landed across a platform of steel beams.

One of the men was pronounced dead at a hospital and the other was listed in serious but stable condition.

The men were installing steel panels on the building for Detroit-based subcontractor Midwest Steel.

According to the article, the center will be the home of the Kansas City Symphony, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and the Kansas City Ballet.

Crane accidents kill up to 82 construction workers each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Continue reading "Kansas City Crane Accident Kills Worker" »

On October 12, a mobile crane working on a church steeple toppled near Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, killing the crane operator and injuring a woman standing nearby.

According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the orange aerial lift, working at the First Presbyterian Church at 21st and Walnut Streets, fell at about 1:15 p.m. that day. It knocked down a streetlight, sheared off a stoplight, and clipped the roof of a building on the north side of the street.

The crane operator was turning the machine when one wheel rolled over a cable access cover, the heavy lid gave way, the machine wobbled then fell. He was taken to a hospital, and was pronounced dead at 1:42 p.m.

The church had hired Masonry Preservation Group, of Merchantville, N.J. to perform a survey of the church’s stone exterior.

MPG does extensive work in Philadelphia on the maintenance and restoration of historic stone and masonry structures. It brought several of the truck-mounted cranes and set them up around the church.

According to article, the operator turned the crane, one of the four enormous wheels at the base rolled over a cable access panel. It started to tilt and it swayed out about 20 feet into the street. Then it swayed back towards the church. The second time it swung out, it toppled over.
The type of equipment involved in the accident, known as an AWP or aerial lift platform, is not technically considered a crane, and is not subject to the strict regulations put in place by Philadelphia last year.

The family of the crane operator would be well advised to contact an experienced Philadelphia worker’s compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Continue reading "Rittenhouse Square Crane Accident Kills Operator" »

A construction worker from Eatontown, Monmouth County, NJ was injured after falling 20 feet while making repairs to a home in Barnegat. According to this article in the Press of Atlantic City, the construction worker was working in an attic at 12 Carriage Way and fell through a ceiling.

He landed on a stairway, breaking his left arm and inuring his elbow.

Police, fire, and paramedic crews responded right away to help him and he was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center.

The construction worker would be well advised to contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Continue reading "Construction Worker Injured After Fall at Barnegat, NJ Home" »

On August 27, a worker for a lawn irrigation company was trapped for nearly five hours before being rescued from a muddy hole in Burlington County, NJ. According to an Associated Press article on Philly.com, a 24-year-old of Berlin, NJ was pulled out of the 6-foot deep hole by members of Task Force 1, the state police urban search and rescue unit.

The worker was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The worker became trapped shortly before 1 p.m. on August 27 while trying to repair a leaking water line in a Southampton Township retirement community. Soil and mud around him collapsed, covering him up to this thighs.

The worker in this incident would be well advised to contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Continue reading "Construction Worker Trapped in Muddy Hole Rescued" »

On August 13, two construction workers working on a residence hall at Montclair State University in New Jersey were injured when the hydraulic lift they were working from tipped over.
According to an article, a University spokeswoman said the workers suffered “broken limbs” in the accident and were taken to a nearby hospital.

The building under construction is an unnamed six-story residence hall. It was not immediately clear how high the workers were when the accident happened and the cause is under investigation.

The injured workers at Montclair State University would be well advised to contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Continue reading "2 Construction Workers Injured at NJ University" »

A Pennsylvania worker suffered severe injuries to his legs after being run over by a forklift, according to a recent news report. The 48-year-old man was taken to the hospital for treatment after the Pennsylvania workplace accident, which happened in Hatfield Township. Officials are still looking into how and why this forklift accident occurred.

According to the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, forklift accidents happen because of many reasons including lack of proper training for workers who have to operate forklift trucks. Forklift accidents could also occur because or improper assignment of forklifts and operators; poor maintenance of forklifts; and the age of the forklifts, which could cause them to fail. Forklift accident can result in catastrophic injuries or even death.

If you have been injured in an industrial accident or construction site accident, you need skilled representation from experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys who will inform you about your legal rights and options. If you are an injured worker, you will be entitled to receive worker's compensation benefits from your employer. If a third party (someone other than your employer) caused your on-the-job injuries, then you may be able to file a third party claim against that individual or entity.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Forklift Accident Injures Worker" »

On July 16, a driver in University City, PA struck three construction workers — including flipping one onto his hood and smashing his windshield — then drove around the block to argue with them. According to this article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the man was driving a Chevrolet Malibu east on Chestnut Street approaching 30th Street in Philadelphia when he got stuck in traffic.

The traffic was caused by a construction crew directing trucks loaded with supplies onto a site next to the intersection. First, the angry driver confronted a 33-year-old flagman who was stopping traffic and screamed at him to get out of the way. He then sped into the construction crew and caused a rare case of a pedestrian and work accident in Philadelphia.

The flagman was flipped over the hood of the offender’s vehicle and hit the windshield head first, breaking it. The driver then ran down two other construction workers and drove around again to confront the construction workers one more time. He was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault.

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Police in Port Carbon, Pennsylvania are saying that a construction worker is lucky to be alive after an 88,000-pound backhoe he was operating crashed through part of a Pennsylvania bridge about 70 miles northwest of Philadelphia. According to an Associated Press news report, the backhoe's cab was crushed against the bridge. The worker wasn't seriously injured in this construction accident in Pennsylvania, but a heavyset man would have been killed, officials said. It is not yet clear how or why the crash occurred.

Construction sites are extremely prone to risk of injury or death because of the nature of the job and the heavy equipment involved. Workers often do jobs in high-rise buildings, which make them prone to falls. Construction accidents can result in catastrophic injuries such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and even death. Contractors and sub contractors are required under federal and state law to follow various procedures that will make a construction site safer for workers. All workers are also required to get the necessary training to do their jobs safely.

Continue reading "Worker Escapes Serious Injury in Pennsylvania Construction Accident" »

On June 10 in Austin, Texas, scaffolding on the 11th floor of a building collapsed and two workers who were on it fell to their deaths. A third worker was critically injured. According to this article, four men were on the scaffolding last week when it collapsed. The fourth worker suffered minor injuries.

Authorities do not know what caused the scaffolding to collapse, resulting in the wrongful death of two workers.

The workers here who sustained any injuries and the families of the workers who died because of the collapse are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits through the employer. These benefits often are inadequate and may not be enough to cover a worker and his family, especially if the incident involves serious injuries that could keep the worker away from his/her job for a long time. It may be in the worker’s best interest, however, to also contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing.

An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Continue reading "2 Workers Killed in 11th Floor Scaffolding Collapse" »

An audit of a nuclear weapons complex in South Carolina says the construction site did not meet several safety standards when constructing a new facility and could have resulted in a serious construction accident. According to an article, the Department of Energy released a report in April that a mistake was found at the Savannah River site near the South Carolina-Georgia border that could have resulted in a spill of high-level radioactive waste.

The safety issues involved a facility that is being built to convert weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for commercial nuclear reactors.

The report stated that three structural components were obtained and installed by the prime contractor at Savannah River during construction of the mixed oxide fuel fabrication (MOX) facility that did not meet safety specifications.

The faulty steel was discovered after a piece of it broke during construction.

According to the article, these substandard items led to costly and time-consuming remedial action to ensure that nonconforming materials and equipment would function within safety margins.

The Department of Energy’s report said that weaknesses in internal control could have led to installing critical components that didn’t meet standards and could have injured workers and the public.

If any worker at this South Carolina site had been injured here, he or she would have a potential workers’ compensation claim. It is usually in a worker’s best interest to contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney who can carefully examine an incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for an accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

In Pennsylvania, every company must carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance in the case an employee is injured on the job, becomes ill due to circumstances surrounding their job, or even if death results from their job. Benefits can include medical expenses, lost wages and death benefits. Workers’ compensation in Philadelphia exists both as a way to benefit injured workers and as a way to protect employers. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system, which means that no guilt needs to be proved in a case; only that the injury sustained occurred while on the job.

If you or someone you love has been injured at work, Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano can help you. These dedicated and skilled PA work injury lawyers will do everything possible to get the monetary compensation that is owed to you to help pay medical bills, physical therapy, loss of work and more.

Vatthana Vongtheva, a 28-year-old from Emporia, Kansas was killed in a construction accident at a power plant under construction north of Kansas City. According to this article by the Associated Press, Vongtheva was employed by Team Industrial Services of Alvin, Texas.

Kansas City Power & Light (KCP &L) officials said that on March 28 he was inside a boiler inspecting equipment on an elevated scaffold at the utility’s Iatan 2 power plant site, near Weston, MO. He became pinned against the boiler wall and was fatally injured.

Last May, at Iatan 1 (KCP& L’s operating power plant), a crane collapsed and killed a worker and injured three others.

Mr. Vongtheva’s family is entitled to Workers’ Compensation through his employer, Team Industrial Services. These benefits often are inadequate and may not be enough to cover a worker’s family. It may be in the family’s best interest, however, to also contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Any worker who has sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of their employment has a potential workers’ compensation claim in Pennsylvania. The injury can occur while traveling on business, doing a work-related errand, attending a required business-related social function, or even while on a break or using restroom facilities.

Whether your injury was a simple slip and fall, or involves serious injuries, Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano can help you. These dedicated and skilled PA work injury lawyers will do everything possible to get the monetary compensation that is owed to you to help pay medical bills, physical therapy, loss of work and more.

A New Jersey construction worker was killed in Piscataway after falling at a construction site, according to this news report. The construction worker, who has not yet been identified, fell about 10 feet and suffered severe head trauma. He was taken to a local hospital where he died shortly after the fall. The fatal construction accident victim was apparently a member of a construction crew that was building single family homes in the area. Police are saying that the fall was an accident although an investigation is ongoing.

Construction sites are extremely dangerous because of their inherent risks for serious injuries. However, every construction site is required to follow stringent safety procedures mandated by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The proper implementation of these safety procedures can reduce and prevent many of these construction site dangers, injuries and unnecessary fatalities.

Construction accident victims undergo tremendous pain, suffering and expenses both in terms of medical costs and loss of wages. Pennsylvania workers compensation benefits are hardly enough to compensate an injured construction worker for all these costs and expenses.

If you have suffered a serious Pennsylvania construction accident injury, then you need an experienced construction accident attorney in Pennsylvania from Cherry, Fieger and Marciano LLP on your side to fight for your rights and secure fair compensation for your injuries and loss. Our goal is not only to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve, but also to make the employer correct the hazardous situation so more workers are not hurt. Please call us today for a free and comprehensive evaluation of your Pennsylvania construction accident injury claim.

Investigators are looking into the cause of a construction accident at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Colorado that injured a construction worker in early April. According to an article in USA Today, the accident occurred at a new St. Anthony Hospital that is under construction at the center.

A U.S. Geological Survey employee told The Denver Post he was eating lunch and watching the construction when the crane collapsed and twisted while lifting a beam.

The article said that the injured worker drove himself to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries.

The construction worker here is entitled to Workers’ Compensation through his employer. These benefits often are inadequate and may not be enough to cover a worker and his family, especially if the incident involves serious injuries that could keep the worker away from his/her job for a long time. It may be in the worker’s best interest, however, to also contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing.

An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” Suing a third party involves claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Continue reading "Crane Accident in Denver, CO Injures Worker" »

A Scott County, Iowa jury awarded more than $7 million to a Wisconsin man who fell three stories in a construction accident.

According to an article that appeared in USA Today, Allen Frohne was a sub-contractor who had been doing gutter work at a Holiday Inn Express in Leclaire, Iowa in 2005. The hotel was under construction at the time. Frohne fell when a lift tipped over and he suffered permanent injuries.

The award was made against Leclaire Hotel Group, LLC and Gibbs Construction.

Any worker who has sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of their employment has a potential PA workers’ compensation claim. The injury can occur while traveling on business, doing a work-related errand, attending a required business-related social function, or even while on a break or using restroom facilities and you are still legally covered by workers compensation.

Workers compensation benefits often are inadequate and may not be enough to cover a worker and his family, especially if the incident involves serious injuries that could keep the worker away from his/her job for a long time. It may be in the worker’s and their family’s best interest, however, to also contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney in Philadelphia who will carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing.

Continue reading "Injured Worker Awarded $7 Million by Jury" »