Lancaster Construction Accident Lawyer

Workplace Accidents on Lancaster Construction Sites

Unfortunately, accidents occur on a frequent basis on construction sites in Lancaster County and throughout Pennsylvania due to the unsafe work environments and dangerous conditions that are present. Even though strict federal and state regulations have been enacted to stem the number of construction accidents, the nature of the work means that workers still suffer injuries at an alarming rate. For workers, getting compensation for injuries suffered in those accidents is important. A Lancaster construction accident lawyer can walk you through the claims process and get you the benefits you deserve.

Pennsylvania Construction Sites Are Dangerous

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the federal agency tasked with regulating workplace safety, construction is one of the most dangerous industries in existence. In calendar year 2017, 20.7% of all worker fatalities in the private sector were in the construction industry, representing about 1 in 5 worker deaths nationwide. The construction industry is so dangerous, in fact, that OSHA has named the top four killers of construction workers “The Fatal Four.” They are:

• Falls: 39.2% of deaths
• Struck by objects: 8.1% of deaths
• Electrocutions: 7.3% of deaths
• Caught-in/between: 5.1% of deaths

OSHA estimates that eliminating deaths from Fatal Four accidents would save 582 construction workers’ lives every year in the United States.

Common Injuries in Construction Site Accidents

Sometimes, even with safety precautions, work site injuries happen. Frequent causes of construction accident injuries include:

• Falling debris
• Explosions and fires
• Dangerous chemicals, liquids and other substances
• Falls from scaffolding, ladders, upper levels or roofs
• Defective or faulty machinery
• Electrocution

Often, due to the physical nature of the work, many victims of construction site accidents are unable to return to the same jobs after recovery. If you are injured and cannot return to your job because of a construction injury, you need an experienced lawyer to help you get the benefits you deserve. Attorney Mike Vanasse practices exclusively in the area of workers’ compensation and has done so for more than 25 years. He has helped many workers like you get the benefits they deserve.

Our Lancaster Construction Accident Attorney Explains How Safety Violations Cause Accidents

A strong company safety culture plays a critical role in preventing workplace accidents. Unfortunately, not all companies exercise best practices when it comes to keeping their workers safe from injury, and employer negligence is one of the primary contributors to workplace accidents. Negligence in the workplace can result in a variety of accidents. The top 10 most frequently violated safety standards, according to OSHA, are:

• Fall protection
• Hazard communication standard
• Scaffolding, general requirements
• Respiratory protection
• Control of hazardous energy
• Ladders
• Powered industrial trucks
• Fall protection – training requirements
• Machinery and machine guarding
• Eye and face protection

Any of these safety violations can cause a Fatal Four injury. For example, inadequate ladder safety could result in a fall, while failure to communicate hazards in certain situations could result in electrocution. For more information about workplace hazards that can result in serious injury or even death, please contact a Lancaster construction accident lawyer.

Benefits Available for Injured Construction Workers in Pennsylvania

If you suffer an injury on a construction site and are unable to return to work, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include:

• Lost wages: Temporary Total Disability benefits (TTD) are available to those who are unable to work at all after their accident and amount to two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly gross pay. Permanent Partial Disability benefits (PPD) are available to workers who are able to return to work but whose injuries force them to take lower-paying jobs. These benefits are equal to two-thirds of the difference between the worker’s income prior to the accident and the worker’s income after the accident.
• Medical care: Employers are responsible for all reasonable, necessary, and related medical care that a worker receives as a result of the injury.
• Death benefits: If the worker dies as a result of the injury, Funeral benefits of up to $3,000 be reimbursed. Additionally, the surviving spouse and children may be entitled to weekly survivor wage loss benefits.
• Specific loss benefits: Specific loss benefits are available to workers who suffer particular types of injuries, including lost limbs, lost vision, lost hearing, and head/neck/facial scarring.

After a Construction Injury, Get the Answers You Need from a Lancaster Construction Accident Lawyer

Mike Vanasse of Vanasse Law LLC is available to assist you in obtaining the benefits you deserve after a construction accident. Our firm offers personalized service and experienced, compassionate representation in a convenient location just off Route 30 in Lancaster. To arrange for a free initial consultation, call 717-397-1010 or contact us online.