Conshohocken and Philadelphia Construction Accident Lawyers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgates regulations and guidance for the safe operation of construction sites. Groen Strokoff O’Neill, LLC have OSHA certified and experienced Conshohocken and Philadelphia construction accident attorneys who have litigated cases against large construction companies, construction supply companies, architects, maintenance, and engineering companies throughout the region.
GSO Lawyers represents workers and families seeking a construction accident attorney in Montgomery County, a construction injury lawyer in Delaware County, and a construction site accident trial lawyer in Bucks County, Chester County, and New Jersey, in addition to Philadelphia. We handle catastrophic construction injury litigation with a trial-focused strategy across the region.
Construction accidents cause devastating injuries and wrongful deaths to workers who risk their lives building our communities. Groen Strokoff O’Neill Trial Lawyers have extensive experience handling construction accident cases throughout Pennsylvania. GSO Lawyers represents injured construction workers and their families in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits throughout the Philadelphia area and Conshohocken in Montgomery County, helping them pursue justice, accountability, and maximum compensation after life-altering injuries caused by unsafe job sites and negligent employers.
As experienced construction accident attorneys, our firm handles complex claims involving falls from heights, scaffolding collapses, heavy machinery accidents, electrocutions, crane accidents, and violations of safety regulations. Every case is approached with compassion, precision, and trial-ready preparation.
OSHA Violations and Construction Accidents
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets mandatory safety standards for construction sites. Violations of OSHA regulations often form the foundation of construction accident lawsuits.
Common OSHA Violations:
- Fall Protection – Failure to provide guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems
- Scaffolding Standards – Improper construction, missing toe boards, lack of access
- Ladder Safety – Defective ladders, improper use, inadequate securing
- Excavation Protection – Lack of shoring, protective systems, or competent person oversight
- Electrical Safety – Exposed wiring, inadequate grounding, power line proximity
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Failure to provide hard hats, safety glasses, harnesses
- Hazard Communication – Not informing workers of chemical hazards or toxic materials
- Machinery Guarding – Unguarded moving parts, lack of lockout/tagout procedures
When OSHA violations contribute to your accident, they provide powerful evidence of negligence. OSHA citations and inspection reports can prove that the construction company knew about hazards and failed to correct them, strengthening your case significantly.
How Many Construction Workers Die Each Year?
The construction industry is one of the most dangerous in America. In 2023, approximately 1,060-1,075 construction workers died on the job, representing about 1 in 5 (20.8%) of all workplace deaths in the United States. This means nearly three construction workers die on the job every single day.
The Leading Causes of Construction Deaths
In 2023, 38.5% of construction deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips, making falls the number one killer in the industry. OSHA has identified four main causes of construction deaths, known as the “Fatal Four”:
- Falls – From scaffolding, roofs, ladders, and elevated work platforms
- Struck-By – Objects, equipment, vehicles, or falling materials
- Caught-In/Between – Machinery, equipment, collapsing structures, or cave-ins
- Electrocution – Contact with power lines, faulty wiring, or defective equipment
Eliminating these Fatal Four hazards would save hundreds of construction workers’ lives each year. Most of these deaths are preventable with proper safety measures, training, and equipment.
Related Topics:
Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation vs. Construction Accident Lawsuits
Understanding the difference between workers’ compensation and third-party construction accident lawsuits is critical.
Workers’ Compensation:
- Covers: Medical expenses and partial wage replacement
- Against: Your direct employer only
- No-fault system: You receive benefits regardless of who caused the accident
- Limited damages: Cannot recover pain and suffering
- Lower compensation: Typically 2/3rds of your average weekly wage
- Cannot sue employer: Workers’ comp is your exclusive remedy against your employer
Third-Party Construction Lawsuits:
- Covers: All damages including pain and suffering
- Against: General contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, other contractors
- Fault-based: Must prove negligence or liability
- Full compensation: No limits on damages
- Higher recovery: Includes past and future losses, pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment
- In addition to workers’ comp: You can receive both workers’ comp benefits AND third-party lawsuit damages
Construction accident litigation frequently involves third-party liability, including general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and safety contractors. We handle claims arising on job sites throughout Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, and New Jersey, where venue and workers’ compensation interaction affect case strategy. Regardless, our Philadelphia construction accident lawyers pursue both avenues simultaneously to maximize your total recovery.
Types of Construction Accident Cases We Handle
Falls from Heights
Construction accident lawsuits involving falls from scaffolding, roofs, ladders, elevated platforms, and incomplete structures—the leading cause of construction worker deaths and catastrophic injuries.
Scaffolding Accidents
Cases involving scaffold collapses, improper assembly, missing guardrails, unstable platforms, and violations of OSHA scaffolding safety standards that result in workers falling or being struck by debris.
Heavy Machinery Accidents
Claims arising from forklifts, excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, and other heavy equipment causing crush injuries, rollovers, or striking workers due to inadequate training, blind spots, or equipment failures.
Crane Accidents
Lawsuits involving crane collapses, load drops, swing radius accidents, power line contact, and operator negligence that cause catastrophic injuries or multiple fatalities on job sites.
Trench and Excavation Collapses
Cases involving workers buried in cave-ins, suffocation injuries, and deaths caused by inadequate shoring, protective systems, or soil analysis violations.
Electrocution Accidents
Claims arising from contact with overhead power lines, underground utilities, faulty wiring, defective tools, or inadequate lockout/tagout procedures causing severe burns, cardiac arrest, or death.
Struck-By Accidents
Construction accident cases involving falling tools, materials, or debris striking workers from above, as well as workers struck by vehicles, equipment, or swinging loads.
Ladder Accidents
Lawsuits involving defective ladders, improper ladder use, inadequate securing, or lack of fall protection causing workers to fall and suffer serious injuries.
Caught-In/Between Accidents
Cases involving workers caught in machinery, pinned between equipment and structures, or crushed by collapsing materials or structures.
Demolition Accidents
Claims arising from building collapses, explosions, structural failures, and inadequate safety planning during demolition operations.
Pennsylvania Construction Accident FAQs
Yes. When a construction worker dies due to negligent job site conditions, surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit in addition to workers’ compensation death benefits. Wrongful death claims allow recovery for loss of companionship, guidance, financial support, and funeral expenses. These cases may be filed by the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased worker. A fatal construction accident lawyer will pursue all liable parties including general contractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers to maximize compensation for the family.
Most construction accident attorneys, including GSO Lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs, and the attorney only gets paid if you win your case. The fee is typically 33-40% of your settlement or verdict. The attorney also advances all case costs including expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, OSHA experts, and court fees. This arrangement ensures injured workers can pursue justice regardless of their financial situation, and your attorney is motivated to maximize your recovery.
Pennsylvania law prohibits retaliation against workers who file legitimate injury claims. However, we understand this concern is real in the construction industry. Most third-party lawsuits are filed against general contractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers. Not your direct employer. This means your employer relationship is generally not affected. Additionally, many construction companies are required to carry insurance specifically for these situations, and insurers handle claims routinely. An experienced construction accident attorney will discuss your specific concerns and work to protect your future employment prospects.
Proving negligence in construction cases typically involves demonstrating OSHA violations, lack of proper safety equipment, inadequate training, dangerous job site conditions, or failure to follow industry safety standards. Your construction accident law firm will obtain OSHA inspection reports, safety records, training documentation, accident investigation reports, and expert testimony from safety professionals. Witness statements from co-workers who saw the unsafe conditions are also critical. Photos and videos of the job site conditions are powerful evidence. Experienced construction lawyers know how to gather and preserve this evidence quickly.
If you’re physically able, report the injury to your supervisor or foreman immediately. This is critical for workers’ compensation claims. Seek emergency medical attention even if you think injuries are minor. Take photos of the accident scene, equipment involved, safety violations, and your injuries if possible. Get contact information from witnesses. Do not sign any documents or give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without consulting a construction accident lawyer first. Preserve any safety equipment you were using. Contact an experienced construction accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve evidence.
You still have legal rights even if you were paid in cash or lacked proper work authorization. Third-party construction accident lawsuits do not require proof of legal work status. They are based on negligence and liability. While your immigration status might affect workers’ compensation eligibility, it does not prevent you from suing negligent contractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers. Our construction accident attorneys handle these cases discreetly and protect your privacy while pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Yes. Workers’ compensation and third-party lawsuits are separate legal claims. Workers’ comp provides limited benefits from your employer regardless of fault, while third-party lawsuits allow you to recover full damages including pain and suffering from other negligent parties like general contractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers. Most construction accident victims pursue both claims simultaneously to maximize total recovery. Your workers’ comp carrier may have a lien on your third-party settlement, but you’ll still receive significantly more compensation than workers’ comp alone.
Construction accident settlements and verdicts tend to be significantly higher than typical workers’ compensation claims due to the severity of injuries and the ability to recover full damages including pain and suffering.
For serious injuries such as fractures that require significant recovery time, the average is approx. $100,000 – $500,000. For catastrophic injuries such as TBI, spinal cord injuries, or amputations, the average is $500,000 – $5+ million. For wrongful death cases, the average is $1 million – $10+ million depending on circumstances
These amounts are in addition to any workers’ compensation benefits received, making the total recovery significantly higher than workers’ comp alone.
The construction accident injury attorneys from Groen Strokoff O’Neill work with medical experts to accurately calculate the full value of your case, including decades of future medical care and lost wages. We work with clients in Philadelphia and Conshohocken in Montgomery County.
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