Boston Construction Site Injury Attorney

Construction sites are among the most hazardous workplaces in Massachusetts. When an accident happens, workers and bystanders can face serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and an uncertain future. Understanding who is responsible and what your legal options are can make a real difference in how you move forward.

At Diller Law, our attorneys help people injured in construction accidents across New England. If you or someone you know has been hurt on a job site, this page explains what these cases typically involve and how we approach them.

Common Construction Site Accidents in Boston

Boston’s ongoing development, from the Seaport District to neighborhood infrastructure projects, means construction activity is constant. With that activity comes significant risk.

Falls From Heights

Falls are one of the leading causes of fatal construction injuries in the country, according to OSHA. Workers fall from scaffolding, ladders, rooftops, and elevated platforms, often because of missing guardrails or improperly secured equipment. These accidents can result in broken bones, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries.

Struck-By and Caught-In Incidents

Workers are frequently struck by falling objects, swinging equipment, or vehicles operating within a job site. Caught-in and caught-between accidents occur when a worker is pulled into machinery or pinned between heavy materials. Both categories account for a substantial share of serious construction site accidents in Massachusetts each year.

Electrical and Trench Hazards

Electrocution is one of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” categories of construction fatalities, alongside falls, struck-by incidents, and caught-in accidents. Trench collapses present a separate but equally serious risk, capable of burying workers in seconds without warning. These hazards are preventable, yet they continue to cause injuries on Boston-area job sites regularly.

Who Can Be Held Liable

One of the more misunderstood aspects of a construction accident claim is that multiple parties can share responsibility. Identifying all potentially liable parties matters because it directly affects what compensation may be available.

General Contractors and Site Supervisors

General contractors are typically responsible for maintaining overall safety conditions on a job site. When they fail to enforce safety protocols, ignore known hazards, or inadequately supervise subcontractors, they may bear legal responsibility for resulting injuries. Courts have consistently found that site-wide safety obligations cannot simply be delegated away.

Property Owners

Property owners who allow construction to take place on their land may have independent legal duties to workers and visitors. In Massachusetts, those duties can arise under both negligence principles and premises liability law. If an owner knew about a dangerous condition and failed to address it, that knowledge can be relevant to a legal claim.

Equipment Manufacturers and Subcontractors

Defective tools, machinery, or safety equipment can support a product liability claim against a manufacturer separate from any negligence claim. Subcontractors who create unsafe conditions in their portion of the work may also be liable for injuries caused by those conditions. Identifying each responsible party is a key part of building a thorough construction accident case.

Injuries and Their Long-Term Impact

Construction accidents frequently cause injuries that require more than a brief recovery. Understanding the full scope of harm is important when evaluating what a claim should address.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A blow to the head from a fall or a struck-by accident can cause a traumatic brain injury that affects cognition, memory, and daily functioning for years. Some survivors experience permanent changes in personality, concentration, or the ability to work. According to the CDC’s traumatic brain injury data, TBI-related costs, including medical care and lost productivity, run into the billions nationally each year.

Spinal and Orthopedic Injuries

Fractures, herniated discs, and spinal cord damage are common outcomes of serious construction accidents. Workers may require surgery, extended physical therapy, and, in some cases, assistive devices for mobility. These injuries can permanently reduce a person’s capacity to perform physical work, affecting long-term earning potential.

Psychological and Financial Consequences

Serious injuries often bring depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress that goes unaddressed in a workers’ compensation claim alone. Lost wages during recovery, reduced future earnings, and out-of-pocket medical expenses compound the financial strain. A thorough legal claim considers all of these damages, not just the immediate hospital bills.

How Diller Law Approaches These Cases

Diller Law has handled personal injury cases across Massachusetts for decades. Our attorneys work with injured construction workers and their families throughout the state, including in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and beyond.

Investigating the Accident

Every case begins with a careful review of the facts: site inspection records, safety logs, witness accounts, and any available photographic or video evidence. We work to preserve evidence early because job sites change quickly, and documentation can disappear—a clear picture of what happened and why is the foundation of any effective legal strategy.

Identifying All Available Legal Theories

Construction accident cases can involve workers’ compensation claims, third-party negligence claims, and product liability claims, sometimes all at once. Workers’ comp typically covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, but it does not compensate for pain and suffering. Our attorneys evaluate every available avenue so that the full scope of a client’s harm is accounted for.

Boston Construction Site Injury FAQ

If you have been injured in a construction accident, you likely have questions about your rights and what comes next. The answers below address some of the issues we hear most often from clients and their families.

Can I Sue My Employer After a Construction Accident?

In Massachusetts, workers’ compensation generally prevents employees from suing their direct employer in civil court. However, you may still be able to bring a claim against a general contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or another third party. An attorney can review your situation to identify what options apply to your case.

What if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages if you were partially responsible, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. Your total recovery would be reduced by your percentage of fault. This rule applies to third-party civil claims, not workers’ compensation claims.

How Long Do I Have to File a Construction Accident Claim?

The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Massachusetts is three years from the date of injury. Waiting too long can result in losing the right to pursue compensation entirely. It is worth speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to protect your options.

Does Diller Law Handle Cases Outside Boston?

Yes. While our attorneys are well-positioned to handle construction accident claims in Boston, we represent injured workers throughout New England. Our geographic reach means clients across the state have access to the same level of legal support.

What Compensation Might Be Available in a Construction Accident Claim?

Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages can include medical expenses, lost income, reduced future earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. Wrongful death claims may be available if a family member was killed in a construction accident. Each case is different, and the damages available depend on the specific facts and legal theories involved.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Construction Accident Attorney?

Diller Law handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront legal fees. You pay only if your case results in a recovery. This arrangement allows injured workers to pursue a claim without financial risk at the outset.

Talk to a Boston Construction Accident Lawyer Today for Free

Legal claims take time, and injured workers often face financial pressure long before a case resolves. We keep clients informed at every stage and work to reduce the burden of the legal process as much as possible. Whether your construction accident happened in Boston or elsewhere in New England, we are prepared to help you understand your options. To speak with an attorney about your situation, contact Diller Law directly.