Construction Is the Deadliest Industry in Massachusetts
A single fall, scaffolding collapse, or equipment failure can end a career in seconds, which is why an injured worker needs an experienced Boston construction accident attorney early in their case.
According to the Massachusetts Occupational Health Surveillance Program, construction had the most fatal work injuries of any industry in Massachusetts in 2023, the highest on record since tracking began in 1991. MassCOSH's "Dying for Work" report counted 22 construction worker deaths that year, more than four times any other industry. Nationally, construction and extraction workers suffered 1,032 fatal injuries in 2024, and construction remains the private industry with the most on-the-job deaths.
Attorney Sheehan has fought for injured workers throughout Massachusetts since 1993. He knows how insurers and general contractors delay benefits, shift blame, and undervalue catastrophic injuries, and his job is to identify every claim you have and pursue the full recovery a construction accident lawyer in Boston can secure.
Types of Construction Accidents We Handle
With over 30 years of experience representing injured construction workers, Attorney John J. Sheehan has handled every type of construction accident case in Boston. The way an accident happened shapes who can be held responsible, so the first job of a skilled Boston construction accident lawyer is to reconstruct exactly what went wrong.
OSHA's "Focus Four" (65% of Construction Deaths)
Between 2011 and 2021, OSHA's "Focus Four" hazards (still widely known as the "Fatal Four") accounted for roughly 65% of all construction worker deaths. These four categories cause most of the serious construction accident injuries our Boston construction accident attorney handles.
Falls from Heights (about 39% of construction fatalities)
- Scaffolding Accidents — Collapses, inadequate guardrails, defective equipment.
- Roof Falls — Unprotected edges, skylight falls, structural collapses.
- Ladder Accidents — Defective ladders, improper placement, and electrical contact.
- Floor Opening Falls — Unprotected holes, missing covers.
- Crane/Lift Falls — Bucket accidents, platform failures.
Struck-By Incidents (about 17% of construction fatalities)
- Falling Tools/Materials — Objects dropped from heights.
- Crane Accidents — Swinging loads, crane tip-overs, load drops.
- Vehicle Strikes — Construction zone traffic accidents, backing incidents.
- Flying Debris — Cutting, grinding, demolition debris.
- Rolling Materials — Pipes, lumber, concrete blocks.
Electrocution (about 8% of construction fatalities)
- Power Line Contact — Overhead line strikes, underground cable hits.
- Defective Equipment — Faulty wiring, damaged power tools.
- Wet Conditions — Water contact with electrical sources.
- Arc Flash — High-voltage electrical explosions.
Caught-In/Between Accidents (about 6% of construction fatalities)
- Trench Collapses — Cave-ins, inadequate shoring, slope failures.
- Machinery Accidents — Body parts caught in unguarded equipment.
- Crushing Injuries — Pinned between vehicles, equipment, and structures.
- Excavation Accidents — Soil collapses, equipment rollovers.
Other High-Risk Construction Accidents
Beyond the Focus Four, a Boston construction accident lawyer regularly sees claims tied to defective machinery, toxic exposure, and heavy equipment. These cases can be just as devastating as a fall or electrocution.
Equipment Malfunctions
- Forklift Accidents — 7,290 injuries, 78 deaths annually nationwide.
- Bulldozer Rollovers — Slope failures, unstable ground.
- Defective Power Tools — Saw kickbacks, drill malfunctions, grinder accidents.
Vehicle-Related Accidents
- Work Zone Traffic — 898 work zone fatalities in 2023 (50% increase since 2013).
- Backing Accidents — Limited visibility, missing spotters.
- Delivery Truck Collisions — Material delivery accidents.
Additional Construction Hazards
- Chemical Exposure — Asbestos, lead, toxic substances.
- Fire and Explosions — Welding accidents, gas line strikes.
- Demolition Accidents — Structural collapses, falling debris.
- Silica Dust Exposure — Respiratory injuries from concrete cutting.
Call Today for Your Free Consultation
Don't wait. Massachusetts has strict time limits for filing construction accident claims. Contact Boston construction accident lawyer Attorney John J. Sheehan today to protect your rights and your family's future.
Construction Accidents vs. Workers' Compensation: Why You May Be Entitled to Much More
Most construction workers know they're covered by workers' compensation when injured on the job. What many don't realize is that if a third party caused your accident, not just your direct employer, you may have a separate claim worth hundreds of thousands or even millions more. This is the single most important issue a Boston construction accident attorney evaluates in your case.
Workers' Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims: Side-by-Side
Who Are Third Parties in Construction Accidents?
A third party is any person or company other than your direct employer whose negligence contributed to the accident. Identifying them is where a construction accident lawyer in Boston can add the most value to your case.
- General contractors — Duty to maintain a safe work environment for all subcontractor employees.
- Other subcontractors — Negligent work creating hazards for workers from different companies.
- Property owners — Failing to remedy known hazardous conditions.
- Equipment manufacturers — Defective cranes, scaffolding, power tools, machinery.
- Equipment rental companies — Renting defective or poorly maintained equipment.
- Architects/engineers — Design flaws causing structural failures.
- Vehicle drivers — Civilian or commercial drivers striking workers in construction zones.
Your Rights Regardless of Immigration Status
If you are injured on a construction site, you have rights under Massachusetts law regardless of your immigration status. This includes undocumented workers.
Many injured construction workers fear that filing a claim will lead to deportation or immigration problems. This fear is unfounded. This matters in Boston construction because the state's own data shows the fatality rate among Hispanic construction workers is more than six times the rate for all workers in all industries. Massachusetts has strong protections for all workers:
- Workers' compensation rights: Since 2003, Massachusetts law has guaranteed workers' comp benefits regardless of immigration status.
- Personal injury claims: You can pursue third-party claims against negligent contractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers. Immigration status is not relevant.
- Complete confidentiality: The Law Office of John J. Sheehan does not share client information with immigration authorities.
- Protection from retaliation: Massachusetts law prohibits employers from threatening workers with ICE reports for filing injury claims.
- Attorney-level Spanish: Attorney Sheehan personally speaks Spanish with his clients, so nothing about your construction accident is lost in translation.
Compensation Available in Massachusetts Construction Accidents
Attorney Sheehan fights for every dollar you deserve through both workers' compensation and third-party claims.
Workers' Compensation Benefits
These benefits are available without proving fault, but they do not cover everything a serious injury costs you.
- Medical expenses — All necessary medical treatment.
- Lost wage benefits — Approximately 60 to 66% of the average weekly wage.
- Disability benefits — Temporary or permanent disability payments.
- Vocational rehabilitation — Retraining for different work if needed.
- Death benefits — Support for surviving family members.
Third-Party Claim Damages (Much Greater Compensation)
When an outside party is at fault, the recovery available is far broader than workers' comp alone.
Economic Damages
- Full medical expenses — Hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy, future care.
- Full payment of lost wages — 100% of income missed (past and future).
- Lost earning capacity — Reduced future income potential.
- Property damage — Personal tools, equipment, vehicle damage.
- Out-of-pocket expenses — Transportation, household help, prescription costs.
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)
- Physical pain and suffering — Compensation for injury-related pain.
- Emotional distress — Anxiety, depression, PTSD following accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to participate in activities.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement — Long-term limitations or scarring.
- Loss of consortium — Impact on family relationships.
Deadlines for Massachusetts Construction Accident Claims
Evidence disappears fast after a construction accident. Photos, equipment logs, witness names, OSHA records, and job site conditions can all change within days, so contacting a Boston construction accident lawyer early protects both your claim and the proof behind it.
Under the Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Act, M.G.L. c. 152, § 41, a claim generally must be filed within four years from the date the worker first became aware that the disability was connected to the job. In fatal cases, the claim generally must be filed within four years of the death.
Under the Massachusetts personal injury statute of limitations, M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A, a third-party construction accident lawsuit generally must be filed within three years. This deadline applies when a contractor, property owner, driver, or equipment company caused or contributed to the injury.
Specific facts can change how these deadlines apply, so the safest course is to speak with a construction accident lawyer in Boston as soon as possible. The sooner a construction accident lawyer Boston workers trust gets involved, the more evidence you can preserve.
What to Do After a Construction Accident in Boston
The steps you take in the first hours and days can protect both your health and your claim:
- Get medical care immediately and tell the provider it was a work injury.
- Report the accident to your employer and ask for a written incident report.
- Photograph the scene, the equipment, and your injuries if you are able.
- Write down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses before crews scatter.
- Keep your pay stubs, medical bills, and any texts from supervisors.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with a lawyer.
- Contact a Boston construction accident lawyer as soon as possible to preserve the evidence and identify every responsible party.
One Job Site Injury Can Involve More Than One Claim
As a Boston construction accident lawyer with over 30 years of experience, Attorney John J. Sheehan finds every source of compensation you are owed, with no fee unless we win.
