Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces, with heavy equipment, hazardous materials, and strict safety rules. When an accident occurs, workers can be left with devastating injuries, financial strain, and uncertainty about their future.
At Boston Injury Law Group, we fight to protect injured workers and their families, ensuring they get the medical care, financial support, and justice they deserve.
Why Construction Site Accidents Are So Complex
Construction site accidents differ from typical workplace injuries because they often involve multiple parties who may share responsibility. A single job site might include:
- General contractors.
- Subcontractors.
- Property owners.
- Equipment manufacturers.
- Various specialists.
When something goes wrong, determining who’s at fault becomes complicated.
Workers’ compensation may cover some costs, but it often falls short of providing full compensation for severe injuries. While workers’ comp handles immediate medical bills and partial wage replacement, it doesn’t cover pain and suffering, or the full extent of lost income. This is where third-party liability claims come in. If someone other than your direct employer contributed to your accident, you may be able to pursue additional damages beyond those provided by workers’ compensation.
Construction site injuries are often catastrophic, leading to long-term disability and permanent loss of income. Unlike minor workplace injuries that heal quickly, construction accidents frequently result in spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or severe burns that require years of treatment and rehabilitation. The financial impact goes far beyond immediate treatment costs.
Common Causes of Construction Site Accidents in Boston
Construction site accidents in Boston happen for many reasons:
- Falls from scaffolding, roofs, or ladders are the leading cause of construction fatalities and serious injuries. These accidents often happen when safety equipment fails, workers aren’t adequately secured, or temporary structures aren’t built to code. Boston’s older buildings and tight construction spaces can make fall protection even more challenging.
- Falling objects and debris create constant hazards on active construction sites. Hard hats provide some protection, but heavy tools, building materials, or equipment pieces can cause devastating head and neck injuries. These incidents frequently occur when workers fail to secure materials properly or when safety zones are not established around overhead work.
- Electrocution and electrical hazards pose serious risks, especially during renovation projects in older Boston buildings with outdated wiring. Workers may encounter live wires, faulty electrical panels, or power lines that haven’t been properly marked or shut off. Even brief contact with electrical current can cause severe burns, heart problems, or death.
- Equipment malfunctions or misuse lead to crushing injuries, amputations, and other severe trauma. Heavy machinery like cranes, excavators, and bulldozers requires proper maintenance and skilled operators. When equipment fails or workers operate machinery without adequate training, the results can be catastrophic.
- Unsafe working conditions or a lack of protective gear expose workers to unnecessary risks. This includes missing guardrails, inadequate lighting, poor ventilation, or failure to provide proper safety equipment. Sometimes workers are pressured to skip safety protocols to meet tight deadlines.
- Negligent training or supervision leaves workers unprepared to face the dangers they encounter. New employees may not understand safety procedures, while experienced workers might develop bad habits without proper oversight. Supervisors have a duty to ensure all workers understand and follow protocols.
What to Do After a Construction Site Accident in Boston
Seek immediate medical attention and report your injury to your employer, even if your injuries seem minor at first. Some construction-related injuries, like concussions or internal damage, may not immediately manifest symptoms. Promptly engaging in medical care creates an official record of your injuries and ensures you receive proper treatment.
File an incident report and keep copies for your records. Massachusetts law requires employers to report workplace injuries, but you should also document what happened in your own words. Include details about the time, location, weather conditions, and any safety equipment that was or wasn’t being used.
Document the accident scene with photos and witness statements if possible. Take pictures of the area where you were injured, any equipment involved, and your visible injuries. Obtain contact information from coworkers who witnessed the incident, as their testimony may be valuable later.
Consult an attorney before signing insurance or workers’ comp documents. Insurance companies often ask injured workers to sign forms or give recorded statements while they’re still recovering and may not be thinking clearly. A lawyer can review these documents to ensure that you’re not inadvertently limiting your rights to compensation.
Choosing the Right Construction Accident Lawyer in Boston
Consider the following when choosing a Boston construction accident lawyer:
- Experience handling workers’ comp and third-party injury claims is essential when selecting a construction accident attorney. These cases involve both types of claims simultaneously, requiring lawyers who understand how they overlap and how to maximize recovery from both sources.
- Knowledge of OSHA regulations and Massachusetts workplace safety laws helps attorneys identify violations that contributed to your accident. Construction sites must follow specific federal and state safety protocols, and breach of these rules can strengthen your case against responsible parties.
- A proven track record of securing compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering demonstrates an attorney’s ability to handle complex construction accident cases. Look for lawyers who have successfully resolved cases similar to yours and who aren’t afraid to take cases to trial when necessary.
Massachusetts Construction Accident Laws You Should Know
Workers’ compensation covers medical bills and partial wage replacement but may not fully compensate victims for the true extent of their losses. In Massachusetts, workers’ comp typically pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage, but it doesn’t cover pain and suffering or the full impact of a permanent disability.
Third-party liability comes into play when someone other than your direct employer is responsible for contributing to your accident. If another contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer was negligent, you may be entitled to pursue additional damages beyond workers’ compensation. These claims can provide compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages not covered by workers’ comp.
The Statute of Limitations gives you three years to file a personal injury claim in Massachusetts. That said, workers’ compensation claims have different deadlines, and some cases involve federal regulations with their own time limits. Acting quickly ensures that you don’t miss important deadlines.
Compensation You May Recover
Current and future medical expenses can include everything from emergency room treatment to ongoing therapy and rehabilitation. Construction site injuries often require multiple surgeries, specialized equipment, and years of physical therapy. A skilled attorney ensures that all these costs are included in your claim.
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity reflect the income you’ve already lost and your diminished ability to earn money in the future. If your injuries prevent you from returning to construction work, you may be entitled to compensation for having to accept lower-paying employment.
Pain and suffering compensation acknowledges the physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by your injuries. While these damages are subjective, experienced attorneys know how to present evidence that demonstrates the full impact of your injuries on your everyday life.
Vocational rehabilitation or retraining costs help injured workers develop new skills when they can’t return to their previous jobs. This might include tuition for trade school, computer training, or other programs that prepare you for a career change.
Wrongful death damages support families of workers killed on construction sites. These claims can provide compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and the emotional impact of losing a loved one to a preventable workplace accident.
How Our Boston Construction Accident Attorneys Can Help
Thorough investigation of safety violations, OHSA reports, and liability requires specialized knowledge and resources. Our team:
- Examines the accident scene.
- Reviews safety protocols.
- Identifies all parties who may bear responsibility for your injuries.
Collection of medical records, workplace documents, and witness testimony builds a strong foundation for your case. We work with medical experts who can explain the extent of your injuries and how they’ll affect your future, while gathering evidence that illustrates negligence by responsible parties.
Aggressive negotiation with insurers and responsible parties protects you from lowball settlement offers. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, but our attorneys understand the value of construction site injury cases and fight for fair compensation.
Courtroom representation becomes necessary when insurance companies refuse to offer fair settlements. Our trial lawyers have the experience and resources to present compelling cases to judges and juries, ensuring that your story is heard and your rights are protected.
Why Choose Boston Injury Law Group?
Dedicated to protecting injured workers and their families, our firm understands the challenges construction workers face after serious accidents. We’ve seen how these injuries affect not just workers but their entire families, and we’re committed to securing the compensation needed for full recovery.
In-depth knowledge of Massachusetts workplace laws and courts gives us an advantage in handling complex construction site accident cases. Our attorneys stay current on changing regulations and have built relationships with experts who can bolster your case.
Relentless advocacy to maximize your recovery and protect your future drives everything we do. We don’t just settle for the first offer that comes along. Instead, we thoroughly investigate your case, identify all sources of compensation, and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Contact Boston Injury Law Group Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident in Boston, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Let Boston Injury Law Group fight for your rights and your recovery.
Call today or fill out our contact form for a free, confidential consultation.
