Excavator Operators

Death Claims Following Job Site Excavator Accidents

The construction industry has a history of being one of the more dangerous fields of employment here in New Jersey, as well as throughout the rest of the country. In 2015, nearly 1,000 construction-related fatalities occurred throughout the U.S. As experts in workers’ compensation law, the skilled lawyers at New Jersey Workers Compensation Lawyer of JFM Law understand the risks faced by excavator operators in the construction industry and how just one unanticipated mistake can steal a loved one from his or her family.

Construction accidents in particular can have tragic and lasting consequences for a victim’s family, especially if that individual was the primary income earner. Because of the serious risks involved in working construction here in the Garden State, it shouldn’t be surprising that one in four workplace deaths occur on commercial and residential construction sites, according to the Occupational Health Safety Administration (OSHA).

Many deaths that take place on construction sites concern fatal injuries involving heavy machinery. Employees who work in close proximity to heavy construction equipment or who operate large machinery may face specific hazards that most average workers would rarely experience. As workers’ compensation death benefits experts, lawyers at New Jersey Workers Compensation Lawyer have the experience to assist victims’ families following a tragic fatal construction-related incident. Daniel Santarsiero, Esq., our firm’s expert in workers’ comp death claims, has a wide range of experience in this area of the law.

The very nature of heavy construction equipment makes working with such machines risk-prone at best. The common mechanical excavator is one of the more ubiquitous pieces of equipment on many residential and commercial job sites, but however commonplace, these huge machines can pose a deadly hazard to on-site work crews.

Fatal Excavator Operators Accidents

Even when operated as specified by the manufacturer, large construction machinery can pose a near-constant risk to individuals working alongside these machines. Excavator operators, in particular, have a rather long reach and employ a massive bucket that can strike a worker and cause serious injury or death. Even if contact from such a machine is not sufficient to seriously injure a worker, that individual may be knocked to the ground or fall into an excavated hole with potentially deadly results.

The basic design of industrial machinery makes construction accidents more commonplace than that of most any other occupation. The basic nature of these large machines means this equipment is more than capable of causing injury or death to one or more persons on an active construction site.

• Entanglement danger. The tracks and other moving parts of an excavator can easily snag a worker’s clothing and draw the victim into the mechanism. Incidents of entanglement or ensnarement can cause crushed or amputated arms, hand, legs and feet, any of which can result in massive blood loss often leading to death before medical help can arrive.
• Large, heavy parts. Excavator buckets weighing hundreds of pounds swing quickly at the end of a huge articulated arm while the equipment is being operated in a work area. Both the excavator operator and workers on foot must remain vigilant in order to avoid catastrophe on the job site. Sadly, construction deadlines and equipment rental costs often cause management to press workers to be increasingly more productive, which can often affect safety considerations. Fatal accidents resulting from haste alone or the owner’s desire to reduce costs can result in some of the more regrettable construction site accidents.
• Hot surfaces and fluids. Nearly every piece of construction equipment is powered by an internal combustion engine of some kind. The resulting heat generated by these powerplants and the hydraulic fluids used to control the excavator arm and bucket can cause potentially life-threatening burns depending on the extent of the exposure. Even though a construction worker may not be severely injured by contact with a hot component or liquid, the victims could fall or otherwise lose the ability to maintain a safe distance from other hazards — fatal complications may occur and result in a fatality.

At New Jersey Workers Compensation Lawyer, our death benefit claims attorneys can assist an excavator operators victim’s family — we have the training and experience to help survivors collect benefits due to them under New Jersey law. When it comes to cases of wrongful death caused by a third party, the family may seek relief from a third party believed to be responsible for the victim’s death.

Death could be attributed to a fatal concussion or closed-head injury, compound fracture or any other injury that may have led to massive blood loss before EMS crews could arrive to provide critical care. Our seasoned legal experts can provide guidance to surviving family members in such instances, in addition to providing assistance when filing for death benefits.

Workers’ Comp Death Benefit Claims Attorneys

New Jersey is known for its multitude of construction projects. With so many active commercial and residential construction sites, the frequency of worker injuries can be quite high compared with the rest of the country. Our legal staff understands the risks that employees in the construction industry face every day. Despite the risks, workers at high-rise apartment sites or single-family homes deserve to receive the same consideration in the event of an injury or death.

In the unfortunate event that your loved one has been killed in a job site accident, please do not hesitate to contact a qualified New Jersey construction accident attorney. At New Jersey Workers Compensation Lawyer of The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our lawyers are dedicated to helping widows and dependent children — as well as other qualifying survivors — collect on the workers’ compensation death claims to which they are entitled. This is only fair following the heartbreaking loss of a spouse, parent or household breadwinner. We understand the hardships that often come in the wake of a devastating personal loss; own goal is to assist the victim’s family so that they may avoid potential financial chaos in the aftermath of a tragic work-related death.

Mr. Santarsiero and our legal staff can review your case and provide recommendations for filing a death benefit claim, and more. Whether you live in Monmouth, Passaic, Atlantic or any of the other county throughout the Garden State, please contact us at 866-916-3549 for a free consultation.

After your initial meeting with one of our lawyers, if you choose to retain our firm, we will represent your family on a contingent-fee basis — that is, no legal fees will be charged unless we make a recovery on your behalf. As professional litigators and workers’ comp death benefit lawyers, we can assist you and your family in navigating the claims process and help to get you the compensation you deserve under the laws of the state of New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Injury Claims