For more than 30 years, the construction accident lawyers of CHASENBOSCOLO have worked to protect injured workers across Virginia. We know how demanding jobs in your industry can be, and we know just how devastating it can be when an injury sidelines you. If you are concerned about how you’ll pay your medical bills or support yourself and your family, know that you are not alone. Our team of experienced and aggressive attorneys will work to make sure that you get all of the benefits and compensation that you are owed.
Construction accidents can frequently involve large and heavy equipment, often making the resulting injuries incredibly severe. Victims in these cases face long and challenging roads to recovery. Many construction accidents fall under state workers’ compensation laws, which means that victims obtain a fraction of their previous earnings but cannot sue their employers. In some cases, a negligent third party could also be liable for injuries and is not subject to the same protection as the employer. If you or a loved one have suffered severe injuries or was killed in a construction accident in Virginia, be sure that you quickly contact a Virginia construction accident lawyer to help identify any parties that may be responsible for the accident.
CHASENBOSCOLO takes pride in being great communicators, and we’re ready to sit down with you to listen to your story. Call (703) 538-1138 or contact us online to receive a free consultation with a knowledgeable member of our team today.
Do I Need A Construction Accident Lawyer?
A construction accident can be very difficult for a person to recover compensation for, as some employers may challenge workers’ compensation claims and seek to minimize benefits. An experienced attorney can assist you in making sure your workers’ compensation claim is properly filed and resolve any potential disputes with the employer.
Another important reason to contact an attorney is so that they can complete an independent investigation. The lawyer will assess why your accident occurred, preserve important evidence, and identify every liable party. If your case involves a negligent third party, for example, a knowledgeable attorney can help you recover compensation from them as well. In most cases, this will require the attorney to communicate with an insurance company for you.
If an insurance company contacts you after a construction accident, it is important to refuse any invitations to provide a recorded statement. These conversations are typically used to gain information from victims that will only be used against them later. You will want a lawyer to handle all of these phone calls on your behalf so they can protect your legal rights.
Why Choose CHASENBOSCOLO to Handle My Case?
Since our founding in 1986, CHASENBOSCOLO has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Our record of success includes more than $4.2 million recovered for a Prince George’s County man injured in a construction accident.
Managing partners Barry M. Chasen and Benjamin T. Boscolo have three decades of experience handling accident cases. Barry M. Chasen has received an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a peer rating denoting the highest level of professional excellence. Benjamin T. Boscolo is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association, Prince George’s County Bar Association, and American Association for Justice.
We understand that the last thing you need right now is another bill. Our No Fee Guarantee® means you will not have to worry about paying us any legal fees unless you obtain a financial award. You pay nothing upfront.
CHASENBOSCOLO will work towards a fair and full settlement of your case. When necessary, our attorneys will guide you through the process of taking your case to court.
Types of Construction Accident Cases We Handle
Most construction sites are very busy, and there are frequently a number of people performing various functions. Some of these jobs require people to be extremely experienced to operate large and complicated pieces of machinery.
Accidents often occur from some kind of negligence, whether it is the actions of a worker, the decisions of an employer, or the circumstances of a particular setting. Some of the most common causes of construction accident injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Inadequate warnings of dangerous conditions
- Heat stroke and overexertion
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Burn injuries
- Trench collapses
- Structure collapses
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations
- Crushed-between accidents
- Welding accidents
- Bulldozer accidents
- Crane accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Scaffolding accidents
- Power tool accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Electrocutions
- Collisions with heavy machinery
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Malfunctioning tools
- Failure to maintain machinery or equipment
- Falling objects
- Falls from roofs, ladders, or scaffolds
- Lead poisoning
- Repetitive motion injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Respiratory diseases
Many other people can be responsible for these accidents besides employers and other workers. Some of the possible parties that may be held liable include engineers, construction site owners, architects, general contractors, subcontractors, foremen, site managers, or other third parties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Accidents in Virginia
The first thing to do after any construction accident is to get medical care right away. Your employer may have a list called a panel of physicians that includes doctors who handle workers compensation law, but your immediate care can be handled by whatever medical professional is most convenient given the circumstances. Go to a hospital even if you do not think you were hurt, as some serious injuries can involve delayed symptoms. Waiting to get care can lead an insurance company to use your delay in getting treatment to question the severity of your injuries. Make sure that you report your accident and injury to your employer as soon as possible. You will also want to take multiple photographs of your accident scene. If anybody saw your accident, make sure you know their name and phone number. When you cannot personally take these steps, ask a friend, family member, or coworker to do this for you. Contact a personal injury attorney before you speak to any insurance company.
Many construction accidents result in workers’ compensation awards, but third-party actions often lead to settlements as well because insurance companies do not want to pay the expenses of taking a case to trial. When a case does go to court, a victim can be awarded compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are a combination of economic damages and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are actual costs that can be calculated like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Noneconomic damages are far more subjective and involve emotional distress, pain and suffering, or loss of consortium.
Under Virginia Code § 8.01-243.A, a person has two years from the date of a construction accident to bring legal action for their injuries. The statute of limitations is also two years for wrongful death lawsuits, but the time limit does not begin until the date of a person’s death.
Construction Accident Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the private construction sector in Virginia had 24 workplace fatalities in 2016, one less than the previous year. Falls, slips, or trips was the most frequent fatal event in the construction sector with 10 worker deaths. Of the 24 fatalities, six involved the construction of buildings, four involved residential building construction, three were residential remodelers, six were heavy and civil engineering construction, two were utility system construction, two were water and sewer line or related structures construction, four were highway, street, and bridge construction, 11 were specialty trade contractors, six were foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors, and three were building equipment contractors.
In 2017, the BLS reported 4,700 total recordable cases of nonfatal occupational injuries or illnesses associated with construction. This total included 1,400 cases involving days away from work and 1,000 cases with job transfers or restrictions. The BLS stated in a 2017 news release that 736 of the 970 fatal occupational injuries in the construction and extraction sector were related to construction trades workers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported that, during the calendar year of 2016, 991 of 4,693 worker fatalities (21.1 percent) in private industry were in construction. OSHA stated that the “Fatal Four” leading causes of private sector worker deaths in the construction industry were falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, and “caught-in/between” accidents.
The Fatal Four accounted for over half (63.7 percent) of construction worker deaths in 2016, and OSHA stated that eliminating the Fatal Four would save 631 workers’ lives annually. In 2016, 384 out of 991 total deaths (38.7 percent) in construction in 2016 were the result of falls, 93 (9.4 percent) involved being struck by an object, 82 (8.3 percent) were electrocutions, and 72 (7.3 percent) were caught-in/between accidents.
Contact a Construction Accident Attorney in Virginia
If you sustained catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed in a construction accident in Virginia, you do not deserve to struggle financially because of the harm caused by a third-party contractor, property owner, or other entity. The knowledgeable and compassionate lawyers at CHASENBOSCOLO are dedicated to helping people injured in construction accidents obtain all of the compensation they are owed.
Think you can’t afford quality legal representation? Think again. We offer a No Fee Guarantee®— which means you won’t pay any attorney’s fees unless you win or settle your case. Our Virginia personal injury lawyers are standing by to help you. Schedule a free consultation by calling (703) 538-1138 or reach out to us online.
