Wrongful Death in a Construction Accident

The hazardous conditions at construction sites mean employee fatalities are an everyday possibility. While your family member’s death may have been unavoidable, our experienced wrongful death lawyers can determine if you are entitled to compensation for the loss of your loved one.

Fault in Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Claims

Usually there are multiple parties involved in a construction project, and any one of them could be at fault for the accident that caused the death. Our experienced lawyers can help you sort out who is at fault for the construction accident. Fault may ultimately lie with the:

  • Equipment manufacturer
  • Contractor
  • Construction site owner
  • Construction worker
  • Employer

If someone other than your loved one or your loved one’s direct employer is at fault, you may be able to recover compensation in a wrongful death claim alleging the third party is responsible for the death. For example, a manufacturer who made a defective tool that caused the wrongful death may be found liable.

If your loved one or his or her employer is at fault in causing the construction accident that led to wrongful death, you are entitled to compensation from your loved one’s workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of which one of them is at fault.

Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits

If you are the surviving dependants of the deceased, you may be entitled to compensation from your loved one’s workers’ compensation benefits. Spouses and children who lived with the deceased are typically considered dependants.

Additionally, your loved one’s workers’ compensation benefits may provide money for funeral expenses.

Even if you are able to recover these benefits, you should consult our wrongful death lawyers about third-party liability. If a third party – like a defective product manufacturer – caused the construction accident, we may be able to recover compensation from that party, and the compensation may be much greater than your loved one’s death benefits.

Our Pennsylvania Fatality Lawyers

If you have lost a family member to a construction accident, please contact Wapner Newman to schedule a free consultation with an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Pennsylvania.