Strategic Advocacy For Serious Injuries on Construction Sites
Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces in Philadelphia. Heavy equipment, multiple contractors, elevated work areas, improper safety measures, and constantly changing conditions increase the risk of serious injury. When a construction accident occurs, injured workers often face both medical recovery and a complex legal landscape involving workers’ compensation and, in some cases, third-party liability claims.
At Badey, Sloan & DiGenova, P.C., our Philadelphia construction accident lawyers represent injured construction workers and their families in claims arising from serious and fatal construction site accidents. We approach these cases with careful investigation, legal precision, and an understanding that meaningful recovery often requires pursuing multiple legal avenues.
A Strategic Approach to Construction Accident Claims
Navigating Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Liability
Most Philadelphia construction accident cases are rarely straightforward. While workers’ compensation benefits are often the starting point for injured workers, they are not always the only remedy available.
Our Philadelphia construction accident attorneys evaluate cases to determine:
- Whether workers’ compensation benefits apply
- Whether a third party, such as a contractor, subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, may also be legally responsible
- How these claims interact and must be coordinated
This dual-track analysis allows us to protect immediate benefits while preserving the right to pursue full and fair compensation, as permitted by law.
Understanding Construction Accidents and the Law in Pennsylvania
A No-Fault System — and When Fault Still Matters
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation covers most Philadelphia construction workers injured on the job. This no-fault system provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement without requiring proof of employer negligence. Workers generally must report injuries to their employer within 21 days to maintain full eligibility for benefits, but this can be done by oral communication, and there are pitfalls. It’s crucial to have legal guidance early in the process.
However, workers’ compensation does not compensate for pain and suffering or full lost wages. When a negligent third party causes a construction accident, Pennsylvania law may allow the injured worker to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against any (non-employer-related) third-party defendant in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. For example, a worker can be injured by a dangerous condition, a fall, or a defective product while on a construction job.
Personal injury claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, and success depends on proving negligence, causation, and damages. These cases often involve multiple insurance carriers and contested liability. Missing this deadline can permanently bar recovery, but certain exceptions may apply; a good reason to seek out a lawyer.
Construction Accident Claims We Handle
Serious Injuries on Complex Job Sites
Our law firm represents injured workers in a wide range of construction accident cases, including:
- Falls from heights, scaffolding, or ladders, or on a hazardous walking surface
- Struck-by accidents involving falling objects or materials
- Electrocutions and electrical injuries
- Caught-in or caught-between equipment accidents, which typically occur when a body gets squeezed, crushed, pinned, or compressed between two or more objects, like machinery, vehicles, or collapsing structures
- Crane, forklift, and heavy machinery accidents
- Trench collapses and structural failures
- Construction vehicle accidents
- Injuries caused by defective tools or safety equipment
These incidents often result in catastrophic injuries requiring extensive long-term medical care and careful legal handling.
Common Construction Accident Injuries
When the Consequences Are Life-Altering
Construction accidents frequently cause severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, fractures, amputations, burns, and permanent disability. In the most tragic cases, construction accidents result in wrongful death, leaving families facing both emotional distress and financial loss.
The severity of these injuries makes it critical to evaluate all available sources of financial compensation early in the process.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits After a Construction Accident
Immediate Support — With Important Limits
Workers’ compensation benefits may provide:
- Payment for reasonable and necessary medical treatment
- Partial wage replacement during periods of disability
- Disability benefits and specific loss compensation in some instances
While these benefits are essential, they do not cover pain and suffering or full wage loss. Claims are often disputed, delayed, or modified by insurers, particularly in severe injury cases.
Our firm assists injured construction workers in securing and protecting workers’ compensation benefits and in evaluating whether additional claims are available.
Third-Party Liability in Construction Accident Cases
When Someone Other Than the Employer Is Responsible
Construction sites often involve multiple potentially liable parties, including general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers. If a third party’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident, an injured worker may pursue a separate personal injury claim.
Third-party liability claims may allow recovery for:
- Full lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term medical care and rehabilitation
- Other damages not available under workers’ compensation
These claims require proving negligence and are often heavily contested, making experienced legal representation essential.
What to Do After a Construction Site Accident
Early Decisions Matter
After a construction accident, injured workers should consider the following steps:
- Consult a Philadelphia construction accident lawyer early, as it is crucial in the beginning
- Report the injury promptly to comply with workers’ compensation requirements
- Seek medical care immediately and follow treatment recommendations
- Document the accident scene, equipment involved, and any safety issues
- Avoid recorded statements to insurers without legal guidance
Evidence can disappear quickly on construction sites, and early investigation is often critical.
Litigation and Trial Readiness
Prepared to Challenge Powerful Defendants
Construction accident cases frequently involve large contractors, corporate defendants, and multiple insurance companies. Meaningful settlements often depend on a firm’s willingness and ability to litigate.
Badey, Sloan & DiGenova prepares construction accident cases with trial readiness in mind, leveraging our experience in complex litigation and appeals to protect injured workers’ rights.
Fees and the Cost of Hiring a Construction Accident Lawyer
Clear Expectations. No Upfront Legal Fees.
Most construction accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning legal fees are paid only if compensation is recovered. During a free consultation, we explain fee arrangements, costs, and what clients can expect throughout the process.
Why Choose Badey, Sloan & DiGenova P.C.
Experience With Complex Site Injuries
Construction accident claims require knowledge of workers’ compensation law, personal injury litigation, safety regulations, and the realities of construction sites in Philadelphia.
At Badey, Sloan & DiGenova, clients work directly with our experienced construction accident lawyers who understand how these cases are built, challenged, and resolved. Our disciplined approach is designed to protect both immediate benefits and long-term recovery.
