Somerset County, New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyer

Contact a Somerset County, NJ Construction Accident Attorney Today

Construction work is among the most dangerous professions. Thousands of tragic accidents happen on job sites every year, leaving victims with debilitating injuries, wage loss, and sometimes permanent disabilities. To make matters worse, insurance companies are notoriously slow to fairly resolve your claim, or simply quick to deny payment for your construction accident.

Fortunately, the personal injury lawyers at Arlen Law Firm stand ready to help. Our experienced construction site accident attorney, Geoffrey C. Arlen, represents construction workers, day laborers, forklift operators, ironworkers, plumbers, electricians, and other individuals who were injured by:

• Falls
• Scaffolding accidents 
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Motor vehicle accidents occurring on-site
• Crane accidents 
• Falling debris
• Collapsing structures 
• Welding accidents
• “Caught between” accidents
• Explosions and burns
• Electrical accidents 

… and any other type of construction accident injury you may have experienced. We understand that no two construction injuries are the same; that’s why we give every case—every client—our full attention until their matter is resolved.

What We Do

Arlen Law Firm is honored to represent clients from all over New Jersey. With our construction accident clients, our first job is to answer any questions you have about your construction accident injury and explore any avenue that may help you pursue compensation, no matter the cause of your injuries. We seek compensation from every responsible party, including property owners, construction companies, product manufacturers, and others. We are prepared to handle third-party personal injury claims, multiple defendants, worker’s compensation claims, and more.

Most construction site accident cases have three components:

1. Proving your damages (injuries). From brain and spinal cord injuries to fractures, bone breaks, and burns, construction accidents can cause massive damage to your body. Moreover, you may be required to take time off of work to recover from your injuries—or, in tragic cases, never be able to work to the same capacity ever again. All of these are damages, which can potentially be compensated for.
2. Showing liability. Your personal injury lawsuit really begins with this question: who is responsible for preventing your construction accident injury? This is a question of liability: the second critical component we look at when evaluating your claim. Whether from contractors’ negligence or defective machinery, construction accidents can occur from a myriad of causes. The root cause of your injury—and whose responsibility it was to prevent it—is at the center of your construction accident case.
3. Putting it all together. Once we have the pieces of the puzzle, the next step is to file a claim. We tell your story in a way that helps an insurance adjuster, mediator, judge or jury put the pieces together. This means consulting with engineers and safety experts to explain how the accident occurred (and who bears responsibility). Our team also consults with medical experts who can forecast the long-term effect of the accident on your life, your work, your relationships, and your life span.

Why choose Arlen Law Firm? 

Our founding lawyer, Geoffrey Arlen, has spent decades earning a reputation for strong settlements and satisfied clients. Geoff is committed to helping you receive the money you need to pay your medical bills, offset your lost wages, feel compensated for your pain and suffering, and live comfortably after suffering a severe construction accident.

Arlen Law Firm offers:

• Free consultations
• Evening and weekend availability
• Contingency-fee pricing (we don’t get paid until you do), and
• Regular updates about your case

Construction Accident FAQs

What types of compensation am I entitled to?

Any injury from a fall while at work should entitle you to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits are available for any work injury, regardless of who is at fault. This includes compensation to help cover medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages.

If your injury was caused by the negligence of a third party, you may also be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. A third party is someone who is not your employer or a co-worker. For example, the general contractor or subcontractor may be liable for causing the accident or providing an unsafe workplace; the manufacturer of defective scaffolding is a third party who may be liable if that defect led to your injuries. Likewise, many other individuals at a site may be liable, including:

• General contractor
• Subcontractor
• Building architect
• Engineers
• Designers
• Plumbing subcontractors
• Electrical subcontractors

In a personal injury action, you may be entitled to compensation above and beyond what you would receive through workers’ comp alone. This includes damages for your past and future lost wages, past and future medical costs, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of normal life. This could include compensation to help you cover the long-term cost of a permanent disability or lifestyle change such as renovations needed to your home or changes to your vehicle.

Workers’ compensation and personal injury claims do overlap. Attorney Geoffrey Arlen can help you understand how each type of compensation can help, how they overlap, and what this might mean for your case.

What is the most common type of construction accident?

Slip and fall accidents. Both the CDC and OSHA report that slip and fall accidents are the most common type of injury on construction sites, accounting for more than one in three (36.4%) of the total number of fatalities in the industry. Slip and fall accidents often occur in poorly maintained sites with multiple other safety hazards. Year after year, falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry.

The next four most common types of construction site injuries are “struck-by” incidents (17%), electrocution (7.6%), and “caught between” incidents (5.8%) according to The Center for Construction Research and Training.

Who is responsible for most construction accident injuries?

No two construction accidents are exactly the same, but many can be traced back to an error on the part of the construction company: namely, poor training and/or supervision. Your employer, the parent company, and third-party training contractors may also be held responsible. (This is a legal practice known as vicarious liability.)

What if I was not a construction worker but was injured at a construction site?

You do not need to be on the clock—or even on payroll—to suffer an injury at a construction site. If you were passing by, inadvertently on site, or brought on site as a guest or observer, you may be entitled to damages resulting from your construction site injury. Construction companies must maintain a safe worksite for everyone, including neighbors, visitors, and passersby. Arlen Law Firm represents anyone injured from a construction accident, regardless of their affiliation with the construction company. 

What type of accident kills most construction?

Once again: falls. Falling from heights is the leading cause of fatalities for construction workers. This often results from scaffolding or building collapses, ladder mishaps, roof falls, or elevated equipment. The vast majority of fatal construction falls could have been prevented through better oversight or training.

A Note from Construction Accident Lawyer Geoffrey Arlen:

A serious construction accident will have devastating effects. Physical injuries may require hospital stays, physical therapy, medication, and surgery; mental and emotional damage may lead to PTSD, poor sleep, or issues in your relationships. Finally, an injured person may not be able to work to the same capacity, which leads to wage loss and earning capacity. 

You don’t have to accept these sad realities without a fight. A construction accident may alter a person’s life forever—but Arlen Law Firm is here to help you get the compensation you deserve.I’m here to help people get back on their feet after construction accident injuries. Call me today and let me know how I can help: 908-212-7660.

Somerset County, NJ Construction Accident List

Arlen Law Firm has experience with all of the following types of construction accidents. No two cases are exactly the same, and the following information is meant as a general guide. This content is not intended to be used as a substitute for legal advice. To contact our firm about our case, call 908-212-7660. 

Falls

More than 3 in 10 construction workers will suffer a fall while at work. Commercial construction sites may require the use of ladders, scaffolding, and elevated platforms that can be potentially dangerous if slippery, unmarked, or poorly lit. Even the most careful construction worker can take a tumble—and their employer’s failure to maintain safety measures can exacerbate their injuries.

Common causes of falls on construction sites in New Jersey include:

• Defective equipment (e.g., ladders or scaffolding)
• Slippery surfaces
• Unguarded holes in flooring
• Improper scaffold construction
• Lack of safety equipment or procedures

No matter the cause of your fall, Arlen Law Firm can help you pursue compensation against the parties responsible for your injury. .

“Struck by object” Injuries 

Debris from a demolition, swinging I-beams, tumbling 2x4s: any type of building material can become a blunt force object by falling and striking someone. Most construction sites require the use of hard hats, protective bodywear, eye protection, and other safety equipment. While these may mitigate the worst “struck by” injuries, they may not be enough to prevent brain injury, paralysis or even wrongful death in some tragic circumstances.

Electrocution

Electrocution is far too common among New Jersey’s construction sites; The Electrical Safety Foundation reports that 6% of all workplace fatalities involved electrocution injury (2011-2022). Failing to adhere to national electrical safety standards puts construction crews at grave risk for electrocution injury. Electrical injury can range from difficulty breathing and erratic pulse to burns, loss of consciousness, and even cardiac arrest. Long term effects can include nerve damage, verbal difficult, and memory/attention issues. This is why all electrical circuitry should be both installed and regularly inspected by a licensed electrician. 

How do electrocutions occur? Some common causes include:

• Exposed cabling/wiring
• Defective equipment (e.g., power tools or machinery or vehicles)
• Inappropriate electrical installation
• Existing electrical systems that are not up to code

Machinery Accidents

Large machinery poses an oversized risk to construction workers. Construction companies are responsible for training operators on how to use backhoes, bulldozers, front loaders, trenchers, compactors, pile drivers, and so forth. Any minor user error, or machinery malfunction, can spell disaster. Machinery accidents occur more often in poorly managed and/or understaffed work sites.

Fires

Fires are among the most devastating types of accidents on construction sites. A large, uncontrolled blaze can cause burns, respiratory injuries, PTSD, and more. Because construction sites often house explosive material, it is critical that all workers understand the dangers involved. Working with and around natural gas, oil, propane, and other material flammable material puts the workers—and the people around them—at greater risk. Construction companies must adhere to strict safety standards around flammable material at all times.

Explosions

Workplace explosions can happen in an instant—and leave lifelong damage in their wake. Anyone working on-site—contractors, engineers, foremen—may suffer serious injury after an explosion. Some construction site explosions can even lead to fatal injuries.

How do workplace explosions occur? A worksite explosion can occur for any number of reasons:

• Exposed electrical wires
• Gas and fuel leaks
• Disabled safety features on a fuel tank
• Defective machinery
• Exposed gas lines

Slip-and-falls

Slip and fall cases, a subtype of premises liability, occur when someone falls and injures themself because of poorly marked floors, stairs that are not up to code, or curbs that pose a navigational challenge. On construction sites, this can happen because of poor lighting, cramped workspaces, wet floors, or unmarked floor castors for moving heavy objects. Broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, and permanent disability can result from a slip-and-fall injury.

Exposure illnesses

What quality of air are you breathing at work? In some cases, the air quality can be just as dangerous—if not more so—than tripping hazards and exposed wire. Radiation, formaldehyde, dust, black mold, asbestos, and any number of dangerous particulates can pose a risk to human health on construction sites. Even short exposure can result in chronic headaches, fatigue, and/or respiratory ailments.

Traumatic brain injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are often a worst-case scenario. TBIs occur after forceful impact to the head: motor vehicle injuries, slip-and-falls, “struck by object” injuries, etc. No two TBIs are exactly the same, and this injury can take months or even years to overcome. In some cases, the TBI victim is never the same. If you have experienced a TBI from a workplace accident, be sure to use an experienced New Jersey traumatic brain injury attorney to represent your case. 

Crane accidents

Cranes require a special category because of their unusual angulature—and propensity to harm people standing or working in the wrong place. Poor visibility, uneven load, and strict deadlines for job completion can often coincide—leading to disastrous injuries. When a crane operator cannot gauge or predict how their crane load will behave, they may move too quickly or swing too far in one direction while orienting materials. Wind may also force the load to swing. User error, insufficient training, and machinery malfunctions may also increase the risk of a crane accident.

Forklift accidents

It is not uncommon to see a forklift at construction sites; because they are relatively mobile, and have a large hauling capacity, they can be indispensable for large construction projects. However, forklift operators must undergo extensive training before sitting behind the wheel; understanding things like load capacity, blind spots, and other safety hazards is critical. Poor operator training, broken machinery, and/or improperly marked weight capacities can lead to devastating forklift injuries.

Trench accidents

A trench is a deep, wide gully into which construction workers may lay pipe, wiring or foundation material. The digging of trenches is common on construction sites, as trenches allow for the basic infrastructure of the building to be put into place. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers are to “provide ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of egress for workers working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper.” Trench accidents can occur when workers get trapped or pinned in trenches, or when they are struck by falling objects while working below ground level.

Call Arlen Law Firm at (908) 212 7660 for a free consultation, and to learn how we may be able to expedite your settlement.