Construction Accident Lawyer in Scranton

Protect Your Health and Your Future After a Construction Site Injury in Lackawanna County

A construction site can change in an instant—falls from height, struck-by incidents, caught-in machinery events, and electrical contact injuries often cause severe harm. If you are hurt on a jobsite in Clarks Green, Scranton, or anywhere in Northeast Pennsylvania, your first priority is getting medical attention and documenting what happened. 

After a construction accident, promptly inform your medical provider that the injury is work-related and describe all symptoms, even minor ones. Follow the prescribed treatment plan closely to avoid gaps that insurers may use against you. Report the incident to a supervisor as soon as possible, request an official report, and document your own detailed timeline while events are still fresh.

Preserving evidence is critical, as job-site conditions can change quickly. Take photos or videos of the scene, equipment, and safety conditions, and store them securely. Collect contact information from witnesses, including non-employees. Before giving statements to insurers, consider seeking legal guidance to protect your claim and understand your options, including workers’ compensation and potential third-party claims.

Maximize your recovery by calling (570) 712-5545 or reaching out online to speak with a Scranton construction accident lawyer. We offer a free consultation to explore both workers' comp and third-party claims.

Common Construction Accidents Handled in Scranton

Our firm has proven experience representing workers injured in the "Fatal Four" and other site-specific incidents:

• Falls from Heights: Involving defective scaffolding, unsecured ladders, or a lack of fall protection on roofs.
• Struck-by Incidents: Falling tools or materials from upper floors.
• Caught-in/Between: Accidents involving heavy machinery or trench collapses.
• Electrocutions: Often caused by contact with overhead power lines or poorly maintained temporary wiring.

Understanding Construction Accident Laws in Pennsylvania

Construction accidents in Pennsylvania occupy a unique intersection of workers' compensation and personal injury law. Navigating these two systems requires a construction accident attorney in Scranton who understands how to maximize recovery from multiple sources.

Workers' Compensation

Under the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act, most employees injured on the job are entitled to medical benefits and wage replacement regardless of who was at fault. In exchange for this "no-fault" system, you generally cannot sue your direct employer for negligence. However, workers' compensation is limited; it does not pay for pain and suffering, and it only covers a portion of your lost wages.

Third-Party Liability Claims

This is where our firm’s expertise becomes critical. Many construction accidents are caused by someone other than your employer. Under Pennsylvania law, if a third party's negligence contributed to your injury, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them in addition to receiving workers' comp. Common third parties include:

• General Contractors or Subcontractors: If another company on the site created a hazard or failed to coordinate safety.
• Property Owners: If a dangerous condition on the land caused the accident.
• Equipment Manufacturers: If a defective tool, ladder, or piece of heavy machinery malfunctioned.
• Architects and Engineers: If a structural failure was caused by a design flaw.

Liability for a construction site injury depends on who controlled the worksite, equipment, and safety conditions. A general contractor may oversee overall site safety, while subcontractors are typically responsible for their workers and tools. Property owners and equipment providers may also be liable if they contributed to hazardous conditions, failed to address risks, or supplied defective equipment.

Establishing liability requires detailed evidence, including contracts, site records, and safety documentation, often compared against industry and OSHA standards. While violations may not guarantee a claim, they can strongly support it. Comparative negligence may also be raised, making it essential to identify all responsible parties early and build a well-supported case before evidence is lost.

Recoverable Damages in a Scranton Construction Accident Case

While workers' compensation pays for medical bills and basic wage loss, a personal injury claim allows us to seek "full" damages:

• Full Wage Reimbursement: Workers' comp typically only pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage. We sue for the remaining third and for the loss of future earning potential.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical agony and emotional trauma that workers' comp ignores.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: For the inability to participate in family activities or hobbies.
• Disfigurement: Specifically relevant in cases of severe burns or amputations.

The Construction Accident Claim Process in Pennsylvania

The timeline for a construction claim is strict, and missing a deadline can be fatal to your case.

• Reporting the Injury: You must notify your employer within 120 days to preserve your workers' comp rights, but you should do so immediately.
• OSHA Investigation: Federal investigators often arrive at the scene of serious accidents. We secure these reports to use as evidence of safety violations.
• Third-Party Identification: We conduct an independent investigation to find every negligent party beyond your employer.
• Filing the Lawsuit: In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of the accident.
• Subrogation Management: If you win a personal injury settlement, your workers' comp insurer may try to "claw back" the benefits they paid. We negotiate these liens so more money stays with you.
• Bilingual Advocacy: We offer bilingual services in English and Spanish, ensuring that every worker on the site—regardless of their primary language—has a voice in the courtroom.

Third-Party Claims When Workers’ Comp Is Not Enough

Workers’ compensation benefits are important, but they can be limited—particularly for workers with serious injuries, long-term disability, or permanent impairment. A third-party claim may provide additional compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring/disfigurement, loss of life’s pleasures, and the full financial impact of future lost earning capacity. 

Third-party cases are common in construction accidents involving defective products, negligent subcontractors, unsafe property conditions, or vehicle-related incidents on or near the jobsite. Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen P.C. evaluates these cases with an eye toward maximizing total recovery while keeping your workers’ comp benefits on track; for broader injury litigation, visit our Personal Injury page.

Because multiple insurance policies may apply—general liability, commercial auto, contractor policies, umbrella coverage, and product liability policies—early investigation can significantly affect the outcome. Your legal team may obtain incident reports, preserve surveillance footage, inspect equipment, and work with experts to reconstruct how the accident occurred. 

This is especially important when the jobsite changes daily and key evidence (like the exact scaffold setup, crane rigging configuration, or temporary power routing) can be altered within hours. The next step is to schedule a consultation quickly so your attorney can send preservation letters and begin collecting records before they are lost.

Consultation Checklist, Deadlines, and Settlement Value

Preparing for a construction accident consultation involves more than simply telling your story—it requires gathering key documents, understanding critical deadlines, and recognizing what factors influence the value of your claim. 

Bringing organized information helps your attorney assess liability, protect your rights, and estimate potential compensation. Acting promptly is essential, as delays can affect both your eligibility for benefits and the strength of your case.

• What to bring to your consultation: Photos or videos of the accident scene, witness names, employer and jobsite details, incident reports, insurance correspondence, and a list of medical providers.
• Medical and employment records: Include wage documentation, proof of missed work, job duties, and any physician-imposed work restrictions.
• Safety and investigation documents: Provide OSHA reports or safety records if available, or identify who may have them so they can be requested.
• Important deadlines: Workers’ compensation requires timely notice to your employer, and personal injury claims are subject to strict statutes of limitations, often around two years.
• Why timing matters: Delays can lead to lost evidence, unavailable witnesses, and jeopardized claims.
• Factors affecting settlement value: Injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, long-term impairment, and future care needs all play a role.
• Liability and legal considerations: Disputes over fault, comparative negligence, and available insurance coverage can increase or reduce compensation.

Early legal evaluation helps preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, and provide a realistic assessment of your claim’s value.

Talk to Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen P.C. About Your Construction Accident in Scranton, Clarks Green or Northeast Pennsylvania

Whether you need wage loss benefits, medical coverage, or a third-party lawsuit because workers’ comp is not enough, we will identify responsible parties, document damages, and pursue the compensation you are owed. Contact our Clarks Green office to schedule a confidential consultation, and bring any photos, reports, and medical paperwork you have so we can take immediate next steps on your claim.

Reach out to Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen P.C. by calling (570) 712-5545 or contacting us online. With five convenient locations, we are ready to fight for the justice every worker deserves.