There are countless hazards present on a construction site at any given time, from piles of debris to wet surfaces. If you slip, trip, and fall at work and sustain an injury, the law may entitle you to damages. These payments could come through the workers’ compensation system, or you might even have a viable personal injury claim.
If you have questions about your rights after Springfield construction slip and fall accidents, now is the time to seek legal counsel. At Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley, P.C., our dedicated construction accident attorneys could help you understand your options.
Some of the factors that can lead to a slip and fall injury in a construction area in Springfield include the following:
Water, mud, oil, and other liquids frequently accumulate on construction sites. Rain can soak unfinished floors, and spilled fuel or hydraulic fluid can make surfaces extremely slick. If people do not clean up these hazards quickly, workers may lose their footing and fall.
Construction areas often contain scrap wood and other debris. When people leave these items in walkways or work areas, they create dangerous tripping hazards.
Uneven walking surfaces are common on construction projects. Workers may have to move quickly across these surfaces while carrying tools or materials. If the ground shifts or the walking surface is unstable, a fall can happen in seconds.
Workers frequently use ladders and scaffolding to reach elevated work areas. Damaged or poorly secured equipment can lead to dangerous fall accidents. The injuries can be severe when a fall occurs from a great height.
If you sustain injuries in a slip and fall accident while working on a building site in Springfield, workers’ compensation is usually your first source of financial recovery. Massachusetts law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees.
Workers’ compensation provides benefits regardless of who caused the accident. You do not have to prove your employer was negligent, and the law could even entitle you to benefits if you were to blame. As long as the injury occurred while you were performing your job duties, you may be eligible.
These benefits typically cover medical treatment related to the injury for as long as you need it. You could also recoup a portion of your lost wages while you recover from your injuries. However, the total value of the claims is less than what you could get through a personal injury lawsuit.
Workers’ compensation laws stop you from suing your employer or even your coworkers when you sustain injuries at work. This is true even in cases where they were negligent. However, there are times when you could pursue a civil suit following a construction site slip and fall accident in Springfield.
There could be other parties present at a construction site that workers’ compensation laws do not protect. If a vendor, independent contractor, or nearby pedestrian is responsible for your fall, you have the right to pursue a personal injury case against them.
If a fall at a construction site led to your injury, our attorneys could help you understand your legal options. We could help you determine if the right path forward involves a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit, or a combination of the two. Call Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley, P.C. today to learn more about Springfield construction site slip and fall accidents.
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