New Jersey construction accidents cause many serious injuries and fatalities each year. In fact, New Jersey’s construction industry has one of the highest fatality rates of any state in the country, according to workplace accident statistics compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
How does cement or concrete cause construction injuries or illnesses?
Cement and concrete have a lot in common. Both construction materials are regularly used to build the foundations and walls of buildings at construction sites. Cement is even one of the key ingredients used to make concrete.
Both construction materials also have another thing in common. They both contain potentially hazardous components that can be harmful if they come into contact with a construction worker’s skin or if someone swallows such substances.
In addition, cement and concrete are extremely heavy. So, if a construction worker lifts too much at one time, they can strain or tear muscles. And if such construction materials are not stored properly, they can fall over and crush a construction worker.
Finally, many building collapses occur due to inferior concrete or cement not being mixed correctly. This is why it’s critical that construction workers know how to use both construction materials safely.
What are common construction injuries caused by concrete or cement?
Construction injuries and illnesses due to cement or concrete often occur in one of two ways:
- Long-term exposure to such hazardous materials, especially in cases involving construction illnesses.
- One-time accidents that cause an injury.
Examples of construction injuries and illnesses due to concrete and cement include:
- Skin problems due to chemical burns.
- Eye injuries due to dust or silica particles in the eye.
- Respiratory illnesses, including lung cancer.
- Back injuries due to lifting heavy objects.
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries.
- Bone fractures and broken bones.
What legal options exist for injured construction workers?
If you or a loved one sustains a serious injury or work-related illness due to working with concrete or cement at a construction site in New Jersey, you often have several legal options available to you:
- File a workers’ compensation claim with your employer if your work-related injury or illness qualifies for workers’ compensation in New Jersey.
- Accept a one-time settlement offer to pay for injury-related expenses.
- Negotiate a better settlement offer before agreeing to accept it and ask for more money.
- If negligence occurred, file a construction accident lawsuit seeking damages, the legal term for financial compensation.
What is negligence in construction accidents involving concrete or cement?
You may be able to take legal action against the at-fault party after a construction accident if negligence played a role in your work-related injury or illness. Negligence means the person or company legally responsible for your well-being failed to take reasonable precautions to protect your safety.
In cases involving cement or concrete, examples of negligence often include:
- The construction company did not provide construction workers with safety equipment, including respirators, protective eyewear, and gloves.
- No safety training was provided to workers who regularly handle cement and concrete.
- No safety inspections were conducted to make sure the construction site was safe.
- Warning signs were not erected near potentially dangerous locations, such as wet cement, exposed metal rebar, and unfinished building foundations.
Why should I hire a New Jersey construction accident attorney?
Construction accidents in New Jersey involving cement or concrete often quickly turn into complicated legal battles. That’s because there’s often more than one at-fault party in such cases – whether it’s the construction company, another business that mixed the concrete, or the company that manufactured the cement.
Whatever the circumstances of your cement or concrete injury, a New Jersey construction accident attorney at Shebell & Shebell, LLC can help you every step of the way. We know how the legal system works because we have years of experience handling complex legal cases.
Get a law firm that knows how to make things right. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a New Jersey construction accident lawyer focused on winning your case. We proudly handle construction accident claims throughout New Jersey.