If you have been seriously injured by a falling object at or near a construction site in Philadelphia or surrounding counties in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, Cooper Schall & Levy is the place to call. Our construction accident attorneys have over 60 years of experience in this field and have the well-honed legal skills to fight for your right to maximum compensation.
Contact us now to find out whether you have a viable case. We will charge you no fee for your initial consultation and no attorney fees until we recover damages.
How Falling Object Construction Accidents Occur
Construction site accidents caused by falling objects are all too common, and can severely injure not only construction workers but visitors to the site or pedestrians who just happen to be walking by. The vast majority of such accidents are in no way the fault of the victim.
Because construction workers may be situated at various levels ( e.g. ground, underground, scaffold, roof), there is a grave danger that a falling object, such as a tool, piece of equipment, or heavy building material, can cause severe injuries or death to an individual below. Tragically, these accidents are preventable, typically resulting from carelessness, lack of safety equipment (e.g. protective headgear), defective machinery, or poorly followed protocol.
Injuries Caused by Falling Objects at Construction Sites
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falling debris is one of the leading causes of construction injuries. Even objects that aren’t particularly large or heavy can result in serious harm when they fall from great heights. Also, the chances are that when you are hit from above, the head takes the brunt of the blow.
A host of calamitous injuries can result no matter where you are hit by a falling object, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury (paralysis)
- Bone fractures
- Amputations
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Neurological damage
- Lacerations and/or internal bleeding
- Disfigurement
- Death
Possible Victims of Construction Accidents Caused by Falling Objects
Of course, construction workers are the most likely people to be injured at construction sites, but many other individuals are at risk, such as:
- Supervisors
- Visiting engineers or architects
- Roofers
- Electricians
- Passersby
Just as those working outdoors at the construction site can be hit by objects or debris that fall from a roof, scaffold, or construction vehicle, those working indoors can be hit by a collapsing wall or a lighting fixture. By the same token, a passing pedestrian can be hit by falling shingles, a brick, or some other facing material knocked loose from the exterior of a building.
Construction Accidents Are Most Often the Result of Negligence
Negligence at construction sites takes many forms. When you contact Cooper Schall & Levy, we will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident to determine who is liable for your injuries. In some cases, young, inexperienced workers have not been trained sufficiently. In others, proven safety procedures and equipment have not been used.
Negligent Procedures at Construction Sites
Sadly, many construction companies are too busy watching their bottom line to take the precautions necessary to protect their employees and innocent bystanders. They may fail to:
- Make sure that workers use protective gear and equipment (e.g. hard hats, safety nets, safety glasses)
- Tether all tools that weigh over 5 pounds to an anchor point
- Provide construction workers with devices to keep them from falling from roofs
- Install safety nets to prevent tools from falling
- Use covered chutes to remove work materials from roofs
- Train and test workers on how to move materials without dropping them
Negligence Regarding Safety Equipment at Construction Sites
Construction site managers must make certain that their workers are supplied with all necessary safety equipment and taught to use it properly under careful supervision so that taking precautions becomes second nature. This safety equipment includes:
- Screens to catch falling debris
- Self-vulcanizing tape
- Signage
- Wristbands
- Tool cinches for harnesses
- Debris nets
- Personal protective equipment, (e.g. hard hats)
OSHA protocol requires workers and managers to check that tools and equipment are securely attached at all times to either a stable anchor point or a person using them to prevent them from falling and injuring someone.
Negligence as Failure to Warn Passersby
Construction companies are required to warn those that visit their premises, as well as those who merely pass by, of potential hazards. If you have been harmed on or near a construction site without such a warning, the company has been derelict in fulfilling its duty of care. At construction sites, there should be warning signs, caution tapes, and/or barricades, depending on the type of potential danger. If the defendant’s behavior has been especially reckless concerning public safety, the court may award punitive damages as well as compensatory ones.
Compensation Our Construction Accident Attorneys Will Fight For
Once you become our client, we will take care of all legal and logistical matters so that you and your family can heal from the trauma. We will fight tenaciously to bring you every dollar you deserve to cover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages include actual expenditures, including:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Extended nursing care
- Lost income/ lost earning power
- Alterations to make your home accessible
- Replacement services (e.g. childcare)
- Psychological counseling
- Final medical costs, funeral/burial/cremation (for wrongful death)
Non-Economic Damages cover you for intangible losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Permanent scarring or another disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of financial and emotional support (for wrongful death)
We will stand by you as a staunch advocate whether you are dealing with your injury or mourning the loss of a loved one.
Contact Our Experienced Construction Accident Attorneys Today
Our goal, like yours, is to help you and your family recover from the devastating event you have endured. Contact us to activate your case so we can begin working hard for you and you can relax and heal.
