If you’ve been injured in a construction site accident, then you may be entitled to damages and/or benefits as compensation for your losses. Recovery is not always straightforward, however, particularly as construction lawsuits may require a comprehensive evaluation and the subsequent pursuit of multiple different pathways for compensation.
As it’s not always possible for inexperienced accident victims to accurately determine whether they have an actionable claim under the law, we encourage potential claimants to work with a skilled Lancaster workplace injury lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about their legal rights and options under the law.
Let’s explore the different avenues for recovery.
Workers’ compensation laws in Pennsylvania entitle construction workers who are actually in employer-employee relationships (not independent contractor relationships) to file a claim for benefits and receive compensation for their injuries. It’s worth noting that these benefits do not cover non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. As such, the compensation tends to be substantially lower than what would be available through a traditional lawsuit.
Though workers’ compensation regulations prevent injured workers from bringing a lawsuit against their employer for injuries caused by mere negligence, reckless and intentional misconduct can give rise to an actionable claim (thus overcoming the workers’ compensation barrier to a lawsuit). Whether you can sue the employer directly therefore depends quite a bit on the circumstances of your case. If you can show that the employer was grossly negligent or intentionally caused you to suffer injuries (perhaps they intentionally cut corners on the maintenance of equipment in order to save some extra money, violating construction industry regulations), then you will be able to sue and recover against the employer.
Many construction site accidents occur due to product defects — design, manufacturing, or a failure to warn of inherent dangers. If, say, a ladder collapses due to a design defect, then you may be entitled to directly sue and recover damages from the ladder manufacturer, giving you an avenue for compensation that might not have existed otherwise.
On any given construction site, there are often other workers who are not employees of the same company — third-party subcontractors, delivery workers, etc. If these third-parties played a role in causing your injuries, then you may have an actionable lawsuit against said defendants entitling you to damages in proportion to their contribution of fault.
For example, if a third-party delivery driver accidentally hits and injures you while turning into the construction site, then you might have an actionable claim against that driver and their employer.
Contact a knowledgeable Lancaster workplace injury lawyer today to discuss your legal rights and options.
No matter what occupation or industry you work in, there is always the risk of being injured on the job – that’s why workers’ compensation is such an important safety net for American workers, and especially for those who work in construction. Of all of the environments where accidents can take place, construction sites are among the most dangerous, and workers risk serious injury and even death each and every day. If you were injured in a construction accident, workers’ compensation can provide you with reimbursement for medical expenses required for your treatment, as well as any rehabilitation you may need and compensation for a portion of the wages that you lose as a result of treatment or recovery. In cases of long-term disability, workers’ compensation can also provide for your needs. The Lancaster law firm of Vanasse Law is dedicated to ensuring that those who have been injured in construction accidents are able to navigate the challenges of Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation process with a minimum of difficulty. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
Workers’ compensation is a benefit that allows injured workers to receive compensation for their injuries. The process is designed to be no-fault, with employers getting the benefit of not being subject to personal injury claims and in exchange providing payment for their employees’ needs. Unfortunately, the process can quickly become adversarial if the employer or their insurance company makes the decision to deny a claim submitted by their worker. That is just one reason why you need the assistance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Beyond providing you with knowledgeable assistance with the documentation and presentation of your claim, a workers’ compensation lawyer will also be able to carefully review the circumstances of your construction accident to determine whether others may be held liable for your injury. This can include third parties such as contractors, construction site owners, coworkers, and equipment manufacturers whose negligence or defective products may have contributed to or caused your accident. If the attorneys at Vanasse Law believe that there are others who played a significant role in your injury and who should be held liable, we will help you pursue compensation from them in court to ensure that you get the justice that you deserve.
When an employee is injured in a construction accident, the impact can be devastating for them and for their family. Not only are their medical issues and expenses that need to be dealt with, but also the impact of losing time and wages at work. Workers’ compensation is there to provide you with the assistance that you need, but when your employer or their insurance company doesn’t cooperate with or agree to the validity of your claim, you need an experienced and knowledgeable advocate. Contact the attorneys at Vanasse Law today to learn more about how we can provide you with legal counsel that makes a difference.
When you think of workers’ compensation and workplace injuries, there’s a good chance that the image that comes to mind is of an employee with an injured back. There’s a good reason why this is what you think of first – according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), roughly twenty percent of all workplace injuries or illnesses involved the back, adding up to over one million back injuries every single year. Back injuries make up 25% of all workers’ compensation claims. Most back injuries that occur on the job come about as a result of lifting, and four out of five involve the lower back. If you have suffered a workplace back injury and need information about your rights as an injured worker, call the attorneys of Vanasse Law. We are experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Lancaster, and we have a wealth of knowledge to support you in all aspects of the workers’ compensation applications and appeal process.
There are a number of common back injuries that are sustained in the workplace. These are divided into two different categories: non-accidental injuries that occur as a result of normal, non-strenuous activities, and accidental injuries that are the result of an unexpected action or strain. Back injuries may result from physically demanding jobs that require a good deal of lifting, straining, or twisting, but they can also come from the poor ergonomics provided by office chairs, standing for long periods of time, or working hunched over a computer all day. Where the former can come in the form of overextensions result in muscle strains, tears, and ruptures of the discs in the spine, the injuries from sitting are often more along the lines of neck strain and lower back pain.
The back is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, vertebrae, disks, and connective tissue, and workplace back injuries can damage any of those. Though injuries can happen anywhere along the spinal column between the head and the tailbone, the majority of workplace back injuries involve the lower back. Perhaps the most common of these are disk problems, which result when one of the disks that act as a shock absorber between the vertebrae in our spinal column is suddenly compressed and ends up protruding out of its normal position. If this disk touches a spinal nerve it can result in severe pain. In most cases, this type of injury is the result of improper lifting. Other common injuries occur when the ligaments that support the connections between the vertebrae in our spine are pulled beyond their capacity as a result of twisting or turning. In most cases, back injuries are a result of exceeding the capacity of the back’s structures and can result in pain and disability that lasts a very long time.
If you have suffered a workplace back injury that requires medical attention or restricts you from doing your job, you would benefit from having a skilled workers’ compensation attorney helping you navigate through the workers’ compensation claims process. To set up an appointment to discuss your case, call Vanasse Law today.
Learn more about Workplace Back Injuries HERE.
The old adage about something being “as easy as falling off a ladder” is more true than people realize, as falling off of a ladder is one of the country’s number one causes of unintentional injury. In fact, of falls that end in fatalities, almost half involve falling off of a ladder, and among injuries that occur in the workplace, one in five involve ladders. Working in construction is well established as one of the most dangerous occupations, and in construction alone, over eighty percent of falls that require a trip to the emergency room have involved a ladder. If you are a worker who has been injured in a ladder accident, then you may be entitled to compensation to help you recover and rehabilitate. The Lancaster law firm of Vanasse Law is dedicated to helping those who have been injured in workplace accidents, and we are here to help you through the entire process.
According to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the year 2011 alone there were over 15,000 nonfatal work-related ladder fall injuries, and those only represent those that employers reported and that involved more than a day away from work. The agency indicated that in total there were 34,000 of these injuries treated in the nation’s emergency rooms, and most of them were preventable. The occupational groups that were most heavily represented among these were construction and mining, followed by employees involved in the installation, maintenance, and repair work, and the highest amount of fatalities were found among companies that had the fewest employees. Of particular concern were the ladder injuries that involved the head, which was implicated in roughly half of the ladder fall fatalities.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to ladder injury incidents, and many of them are a result of improper or insufficient training on ladder inspection and use. Many ladder accidents are a result of:
No matter the reason behind your ladder accident injury, employees that are injured in workplace accidents are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which generally include payment of medical and therapy bills, out-of-pocket expenses for such items as crutches and medications, and approximately two-thirds of wages lost during treatment and recovery. In some cases, there are also specific loss benefits available due to the loss of a limb or bodily function, and if your accident is the result of negligence on the part of a third party other than your employer or a co-worker, it may also be appropriate for you to pursue a separate claim against those responsible.
At the Lancaster law firm of Vanasse Law, we are solely dedicated to serving the needs of injured workers, including those who suffer injuries as a result of ladder fall accidents. Call us today to set up an appointment to see how we can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
Learn more about Ladder Injury Compensation HERE.
Working in the construction industry can be a very lucrative and enjoyable career. You get the satisfaction that comes with watching something that you’ve worked on take shape and evolve, and a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Unfortunately, all of those benefits often come at a high price. Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplace environments, and construction accidents that cause serious injury or even death happen all too often. If you’ve been injured in a construction accident in Lancaster County, you need a workers’ compensation lawyer who can get you the compensation to which you’re entitled. The law firm of Vanasse Law is dedicated to helping people who have been injured at work. We have the experience and knowledge you need to get you what you deserve.
When you made the decision to work in construction, you knew the risks involved, but you also knew that all construction employers have a responsibility to keep the workplace as safe as possible. This means providing proper training and ensuring that the risks are addressed by taking appropriate safety measures. When accidents occur and workers are injured, workers’ compensation insurance is there so that there’s no need to sue your employer: it provides assurance that you will get compensated for wages you lose and receive medical benefits for the care that you need to recover. Or at least that’s the way that it’s supposed to work. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be a challenge, and putting yourself into the competent hands of an experienced attorney can make all the difference in making sure that your case is handled properly and you get the maximum benefits to which you are entitled.
The list of potential injuries that can befall a worker on a construction site is nearly limitless, but the most common injuries include:
No matter what type of injury you suffer, it is important that you act quickly after the construction accident takes place. Having a workers’ compensation attorney working on your behalf means that you will receive compensation for your medical care and disability as quickly as possible, without the delays that may occur due to improperly prepared paperwork or missed deadlines. It also means that you have a potent advocate to help you file claims against any third party that might be responsible for your injury.
There are very specific laws that have been created to protect the rights of workers, and the attorneys at Vanasse Law are dedicated to using their knowledge of these laws to ensure that they get what they deserve. If you’ve been injured in a construction accident in Lancaster County, contact us today to set up a free consultation.
Learn more about Construction Accidents in Lancaster County HERE.
30 East Roseville Road, Suite C
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: 717-397-1010
Office Hours:
After Hours: 717-471-2168
Fax: 717-397-2644
Vanasse Law LLC is conveniently located just north of center city Lancaster just off Route 30. We are in Sterling Center just off Lititz Pike/Route 501. Our office has plenty of free parking and is handicapped accessible.
Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Vanasse Law LLC serves injured workers throughout Lancaster County and surrounding communities.
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