Construction accident representation on a contingency basis. No attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
If you were hurt on a job site, a New Jersey construction accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and lost income. Rispoli & Borneo P.C. has represented injured workers throughout New Jersey for more than 24 years. We handle these cases on a contingency basis, which means no fee is owed unless we recover for you. Construction injuries are often severe, and the parties responsible do not always accept fault. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation and review your legal options.
Construction Accident Lawyer New Jersey
A construction accident case is a legal claim brought by a worker or bystander who was injured at a job site because of unsafe conditions or the negligence of another party. These claims can involve general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and other companies present on the project. Many injured workers are entitled to workers’ compensation through their employer. A separate claim may also exist against a negligent third party, and that claim can include damages workers’ compensation does not pay. Workers’ compensation covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages, but it does not pay for pain and suffering, which a third-party lawsuit can recover. A New Jersey construction accident attorney examines how the injury happened, identifies every responsible party, and pursues the full compensation available under the law. Identifying a third party early can substantially change the value of a claim.
Types of Construction Accident Cases We Handle in New Jersey
Construction sites present hazards that office and retail environments never face. Heavy equipment, working heights, power tools, and exposed electrical systems all create risk. The cause of an injury often determines which parties are liable and which type of claim applies. We handle the full range of construction accident claims across New Jersey, including the following.
- Falls from heights. Falls remain the leading cause of construction fatalities, according to OSHA. Workers fall from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, and unprotected edges, often suffering spinal and head injuries. We examine whether required fall protection was supplied and maintained. We also determine whether the fall resulted from a defect that another company created.
- Scaffolding accidents. Improperly assembled or overloaded scaffolds collapse and throw workers to the ground. These claims often depend on how the scaffold was built and who was responsible for inspecting it.
- Falling objects. Tools, materials, and debris dropped from above strike workers below. Falling object injuries frequently cause concussions and fractures when a hard hat is not enough. We work to identify the crew or contractor that failed to secure the load.
- Electrocutions. Contact with overhead power lines, exposed wiring, and ungrounded equipment causes burns, cardiac injury, and death. Electrical hazards are among the most common causes of construction deaths. We trace the source of the contact and the company that controlled it.
- Trench and excavation collapses. A cave-in can bury a worker in seconds. These cases involve soil conditions, the absence of shoring or trench boxes, and the decisions made by site supervisors. Protective systems are required for deeper excavations, and their absence is often central to the claim.
- Crane and heavy equipment accidents. Cranes, forklifts, and excavators can tip, swing, or malfunction. Operator error, mechanical failure, and poor maintenance all contribute, and the equipment manufacturer may share liability. Rigging failures and contact with overhead lines are recurring causes.
- Caught-in or caught-between accidents. Workers are crushed between machinery, vehicles, and fixed structures. These are among the most serious construction injuries, and they frequently result in amputations. Lockout failures and unguarded machinery are common contributors.
- Ladder accidents. Defective, damaged, or poorly placed ladders cause falls that lead to broken bones and head trauma. We look at whether the right equipment was provided for the task.
- Struck-by vehicle accidents. Workers in roadway work zones are hit by passing traffic and by construction vehicles operating on site. Visibility, traffic control, and signage are all part of the analysis.
Why Choose Rispoli & Borneo P.C. as my Construction Accident Lawyer in New Jersey?
Decades of New Jersey Injury Experience
Attorney Michael Borneo has handled injury and workplace claims in New Jersey for more than two decades. He joined Rispoli & Borneo P.C. in 1999 and became managing partner in 2001. He earned his law degree from George Washington University Law with honors in 1991, after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Villanova University. Mr. Borneo stays directly involved in the cases the firm accepts, so the attorney reviewing your claim is the one who understands its details. That continuity matters in construction cases, where the facts are technical and the responsible parties are not always obvious.
Results and a Contingency Fee Structure
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across New Jersey. We accept construction accident cases on a contingency basis, so you pay no attorney fee unless we obtain compensation for you. Because construction injury claims often overlap with workers’ compensation, our background in work accident matters helps us coordinate both. For broader injury cases, we also serve as a personal injury lawyer in New Jersey. We prepare each case as though it will be tried, which strengthens our position in settlement discussions.
Understanding Construction Accident Cases
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Construction Accident Cases
Compensation in a construction accident claim depends on the severity of the injury and who was at fault. New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1. An injured person can recover as long as their share of fault is not greater than the fault of the parties they are suing. In most cases, that means a person who is 50 percent or less at fault still recovers, with the award reduced by their own percentage of fault. An injured worker may be entitled to several types of damages:
- Past and future medical treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- The cost of rehabilitation and assistive care
Liability may rest with more than one party. On a busy job site, a general contractor, a subcontractor, and an equipment supplier can each bear a portion of the fault. Insurers for these companies often dispute their share of responsibility. Establishing each party’s role through site records and witness accounts is what makes full recovery possible.
Important Aspects of a Construction Accident Case
Several factors shape the strength of a construction accident case. Attention to each one early protects your recovery.
- Evidence from the scene, including photographs, the equipment involved, and safety records
- Whether a party beyond your employer contributed to the injury
- Whether safeguards were in place for the leading construction hazards OSHA identifies
- Medical records that connect the injury to the accident
- The relationship between a workers’ compensation claim and a separate injury claim
A construction accident often produces more than one source of recovery, and overlooking one of them can reduce what an injured worker receives.
Construction Accident Case Timeline
Every claim moves at its own pace, but most construction accident cases follow a similar path. Cases with clear liability and complete medical records tend to resolve faster than those that require extensive investigation. The statute of limitations in New Jersey gives most injured people two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2.
One exception matters in construction. Much of this work takes place on public projects, such as schools and roadways, and when a government entity may be responsible, a far shorter deadline applies. A notice of claim usually must be filed within 90 days under the Tort Claims Act, New Jersey’s law for claims against public entities. Because that window is short, it helps to determine early whether a public entity is involved.
- Medical treatment and documentation of the injury
- Investigation of the site, the equipment, and the responsible parties
- Filing of a workers’ compensation claim where one applies
- Negotiation with insurers and, if necessary, filing suit
- Settlement or trial
Acting promptly preserves evidence and protects your filing deadline.
What to Bring to Your Construction Accident Consultation
Bringing the right documents helps us evaluate your claim during the first meeting. Useful items include:
- Any accident or incident report filed with your employer
- Photographs of the scene, the equipment, or your injuries
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Medical records and bills related to the injury
- Letters or emails from insurers or your employer
The initial consultation is free. We will review what happened, explain your options, and outline the next steps before you decide whether to proceed. Taking the right steps after an accident, such as reporting the injury to your employer and seeking medical care, also strengthens your claim. There is no obligation, and the meeting is confidential.
New Jersey Legal Resources for Construction Accident Cases
Injured workers in New Jersey can review the laws and standards that affect their claims through several public resources. The following are useful starting points.
- The New Jersey Courts website explains the statute of limitations that applies to most injury claims.
- The state’s model jury charges describe how comparative negligence reduces an award based on fault.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration publishes the construction safety standards that often apply to these cases.
- The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development maintains a workplace safety division covering working conditions across the state.
Reach Out to Rispoli & Borneo P.C. to Schedule a Consultation
If a construction accident has left you injured, our attorneys are ready to review your case. The consultation is free, and we handle construction accident claims on a contingency basis, so no fee is owed unless we recover for you. We will explain where your claim stands and what to expect at each stage. Contact us to schedule a time that works for you.