Those who work in the construction business know that their jobs are dangerous.
For example, New Jersey residents who work in highway construction frequently expose themselves to the danger of getting hit by a vehicle.
Heavy equipment and large falling objects, heights, defective scaffolding, electrical currents and the like are also common dangers construction workers face.
Workers’ compensation is a possible option after a construction injury
If an employee of a contractor or subcontractor gets hurt while working at a job site, she will likely be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
The great thing about these benefits is that they awarded on a no-fault basis. In other words, injured workers get compensation even after an unpreventable accident or even an accident that was to some degree their own fault.
But the tradeoff is that workers’ compensation does not pay for everything.
While it is designed so that employees can recover for medical expenses and some of their lost wages, the system typically will not pay for non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
Furthermore, in most cases, employees will not be able to sue an employer for negligence so long as the employer has provided workers’ compensation benefits.
Other legal remedies may also be available
Depending on the circumstances, an injured New Jersey worker may have additional paths to compensation which could mean that they can receive more money for themselves and their families.
One common example is when a third party involved at a construction site, like another subcontractor or even just a motorist passing through the construction zone, also contributes to a worker’s injury.
Since such parties are not a worker’s employer, he may file a negligence case for their role in his injuries.