# Boston Attorney for Construction Site Falls ## Boston Attorney for Construction Site Falls Your Rights Are Protected [Free Consultation](https://attorneysheehan.com/contact-us) [Case Results](https://attorneysheehan.com/case-results) - Law office of John J. Sheehan - / - Construction Accidents - /boston-construction-accident-lawyer - Construction Site Falls ## Wins for Our Clients [More Results](https://attorneysheehan.com/case-results) ## What You Need to Know About Construction Site Falls **Construction site falls are the #1 killer of Massachusetts construction workers**, causing 37 deaths over five years, according to state data. **Falls are preventable**. When they happen, safety violations are usually to blame, giving you legal rights beyond workers' compensation. **Workers' compensation pays only 60% of wages plus medical bills.** Third-party claims against general contractors, property owners, and equipment companies can recover **full lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical costs**, often resulting in settlements 5 to 10 times higher than workers' comp alone. **Massachusetts law requires general contractors to maintain safe work sites in accordance with OSHA regulations.** This is a **non-delegable duty**. Even if a subcontractor caused your fall, the general contractor may be liable for failing to prevent it. **Act quickly after a construction site fall.** Construction sites change daily, and evidence disappears. Document your fall with photos, if possible; report it in writing; seek immediate medical treatment; and contact our office. Attorney Sheehan handles the investigation, workers' comp paperwork, and third-party claims. ## Types of Construction Site Falls We Handle Attorney John J. Sheehan represents workers injured in all types of construction site falls: Platform collapses, missing guardrails, improper assembly, or inadequate bracing causing workers to fall from height. - Scaffolding Falls Defective ladders, improper setup, inadequate securing, or structural failures — the #1 cause of construction deaths for workers over 55. - Ladder Accidents Unguarded roof edges, inadequate fall protection, or structural collapses — the leading cause of construction deaths for workers under 44. - Roofing Falls Unguarded holes, missing covers, inadequate barriers, or improperly marked openings in floors or platforms. - Falls Through Floor Openings Cherry picker tip-overs, scissor lift failures, improper positioning, or mechanical malfunctions causing falls from elevated platforms. - Aerial Lift Accidents Construction sites without proper guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems at building perimeters. - Unprotected Building Edges ## Ready to Fight for Full Compensation? Get your free consultation with Boston's workers’ compensation injury lawyer. ## Your Two Legal Pathways: Workers' Compensation AND Third-Party Claims ### Why You Need Both Claims Working Together Workers' Compensation Third-Party Lawsuit File against the employer's insurance Sue general contractors, property owners, and equipment companies Covers 60% of wages Covers **100% of lost wages** Pays medical bills only Pays medical bills PLUS **pain and suffering** No fault required Must prove safety violations or negligence Faster process (weeks) Longer process but **much higher awards** You are guaranteed this Attorney Sheehan investigates all third-party claims ### Who Can Be Sued for Your Construction Site Fall: **General Contractors** - Non-delegable duty to maintain safe worksites under OSHA **Property Owners** - Must disclose hazards and maintain safe construction conditions **Subcontractors** - Other trades whose work created fall hazards **Equipment Manufacturers** - Defective ladders, scaffolding, harnesses, or aerial lifts **Equipment Rental Companies** - Failed maintenance or improper equipment **Safety Equipment Companies** - Defective fall protection systems or harnesses **The Legal Advantage:** In Massachusetts, you can pursue BOTH claims simultaneously. Workers' compensation provides immediate income while Attorney Sheehan builds your third-party case for full compensation. ## When OSHA Safety Rules Are Broken, Construction Workers Fall ### OSHA's "Fatal Four" Construction Deaths: 1. **Falls — 36.5%** (the leading killer of construction workers) 2. Struck by Objects — 10.1% 3. Electrocutions — 8.6% 4. Caught-In/Between — 2.5% ### Fall Protection Requirements Contractors Must Follow: **Guardrails Required:** Work platforms 4+ feet above ground must have guardrails with mid-rails and toe-boards **Personal Fall Arrest Systems:** Workers at 6+ feet must have safety harnesses with properly anchored lifelines **Floor Opening Protection:** All openings must be guarded with covers or guardrails plus warning signs **Scaffolding Standards:** Platforms must meet OSHA stability, railing, and access requirements **Ladder Safety Protocols:** 3-point contact rule, proper angle setup, secure footing, and regular inspection ### General Contractor's Non-Delegable Safety Duty **Under Massachusetts law and OSHA regulations, general contractors cannot delegate safety responsibility.** Even if your direct employer failed to provide fall protection, the general contractor remains liable for maintaining a safe worksite. Since 1993, Attorney Sheehan has used OSHA violations as the foundation for third-party fall claims. **Recent Boston Construction Site Falls:** - *2024*: Lynn construction worker fell through an unguarded floor opening, causing a traumatic brain injury - *2023*: East Boston scaffolding collapse injured three workers because the contractor failed to secure the staging - *2022*: Lawrence roofing fall killed a worker because a safety harness wasn’t provided ## Get Your Free Consultation [Free Consultation](https://attorneysheehan.com/contact-us) ## Featured Reviews [More Client Testimonials](https://attorneysheehan.com/testimonials) ## Why Choose Attorney John J. Sheehan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muGRHv7iGzY Why Choose Us ### Immediate Action We step in quickly to protect your rights, secure medical care, and deal with insurance companies. ### Proven Results With over 30 years of experience and millions recovered, we know how to build strong cases and push for the maximum compensation. ### Hablamos Español We explain every step of the process in simple terms — in English or Spanish — so nothing gets lost in translation. [More About Us](https://attorneysheehan.com/about-us) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "VideoObject", "description": "https://attorneysheehan.com/\\n\\nAttorney John Sheehan is a Boston, Massachusetts workers compensation and personal injury lawyer who has dedicated his career to fighting for injured workers and accident victims in Massachusetts since 1993. Se Habla Español.\\n\\nAttorney Sheehan handles:\\n\\n• Workers Compensation Claims\\n• Construction Accident Claims\\n• Car Accident Claims\\n\\nIn this video, Boston Workers Comp Lawyer & Boston Car Accident Lawyer John Sheehan explains why is passionate about fighting on behalf of injured workers and car accident victims in Massachusetts.\\n\\nSInce 1993, Attorney Sheehan has helped thousands of people who have suffered injuries as a result of a work accident, car accident and construction accident in Massachusetts. \\n\\nIf you have any question regarding your Massachusetts workers comp or car accident personal injury claim, visit Attorney Sheehan's website for important and helpful information. If you'd like to contact Attorney Sheehan directly, send him an email or call his office for a free, no obligation consultation. \\n\\nLaw Office of John J. Sheehan, LLC\\n10 Tremont St, Suite 309\\nBoston, MA 02108\\n716-973-1593\\n\\nLaw Office of John J. Sheehan, LLC\\n607 North Ave., Suite 2A-12\\nWakefield, MA 01880\\n781-242-4100\\n\\ninfo@attorneysheehan.com\\n\\nDISCLAIMER: The information contained in this video does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by watching this video. \\n\\n#AttorneySheehan #BostonWorkersCompLawyer #BostonCarAccidentLawyer", "duration": "PT140S", "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/muGRHv7iGzY", "name": "Attorney John Sheehan | Boston Workers Comp Lawyer & Boston Car Accident Lawyer", "thumbnailUrl": [ "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/muGRHv7iGzY/maxresdefault.jpg" ], "uploadDate": "2018-10-17T12:42:01-07:00", "@id": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muGRHv7iGzY", "interactionStatistic": [ { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/WatchAction", "userInteractionCount": "974" }, { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/LikeAction", "userInteractionCount": "7" } ], "genre": "Education", "author": "Boston Workers Comp & Personal Injury Lawyer" } ## What Makes Attorney Sheehan Different Attorney Sheehan's Construction Site Fall Investigation Process - Free consultation with Attorney Sheehan (in Spanish if preferred) - Review your fall and explain all legal rights - Begin preserving evidence before it disappears - Within 24 Hours - Professional site inspection and photography - Interview witnesses while memories are fresh - File workers' compensation claim paperwork - Request OSHA investigation reports - Identify all potentially liable parties (general contractors, subcontractors, property owners) - Week 1-2 - Handle all insurance company communications - Work with construction safety experts and engineers - Coordinate medical treatment with injury doctors - vNegotiate workers' compensation benefits - Build a third-party lawsuit for full damages - Ongoing Investigation - Drive long distances in Boston area traffic (we offer in-home and video conference appointments) - Pay legal fees upfront (contingency fee only) - Handle complicated paperwork (we manage everything) - Worry about language barriers (Attorney Sheehan speaks Spanish fluently) - You Don't Have To ## Meet Our Team Since 1993, Attorney John Sheehan has represented injured workers and accident victims across Massachusetts, fighting for justice against powerful insurers and corporations. Fluent in Spanish and deeply involved in Boston’s Hispanic community, John has earned a reputation for listening, explaining complex legal matters, and securing maximum compensation for his clients. Behind John is a strong team of legal professionals who share one goal: providing each client with direct counsel and relentless advocacy. With decades of legal experience, we approach each case with the understanding that every injury and every person is unique. [Learn More John J. Sheehan](https://attorneysheehan.com/about-us/john-j-sheehan) ## Serving Construction Workers Throughout Massachusetts - Lawrence - /lawrence - Methuen - Haverhill - Lynn - /lynn - Chelsea - /chelsea - Revere - Everett - /everett - Malden - /malden [More Cities We Cover](https://attorneysheehan.com/areas-we-serve) - Wakefield Office - Law Office of John J. Sheehan, LLC
607 North, Ave, Suite 2A-12
Wakefield, MA 01880 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/NUPVcyWKsJTdaFmS7 - Boston Office - Law Office of John J. Sheehan, LLC
 10 Tremont St. Suite 309 Boston, MA 02108 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZJScxjs87sYejC2K7 ## Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Site Fall Claims **No. Massachusetts law protects ALL construction workers regardless of immigration status.** You cannot be deported for filing workers' compensation claims or lawsuits for construction site falls. Your documentation status is confidential and not shared with immigration authorities. Federal whistleblower laws prohibit retaliation for reporting workplace injuries. - Will filing a claim affect my immigration status? **Massachusetts uses comparative negligence - you can recover compensation even if partially at fault, as long as you're 50% or less comparatively negligent.** Workers' compensation pays regardless of fault. Attorney Sheehan investigates all contributing factors to minimize your percentage of fault and maximize your recovery. - What if I were partially responsible for my fall? **Case value depends on injury severity, lost wages, medical costs, and third-party liability.** Workers' compensation typically covers 60% of wages plus medical bills. Third-party claims can recover 100% of lost wages, pain and suffering, and future costs, which are often 5 to 10 times higher than workers' comp alone. - How much is my construction site fall case worth? **Yes. Even if paid 'under the table,' you have full workers' compensation and third-party lawsuit rights.** A cash payment doesn't eliminate an employer's or a contractor's responsibilities. Attorney Sheehan has successfully represented many workers in similar situations using alternative wage documentation. - I was paid in cash — can I still file claims? **Federal and Massachusetts law prohibit employers from retaliating against workers who report injuries.** If you're fired in retaliation, you have additional legal claims. The Paz v. Tara Construction case resulted in a $650,000 jury verdict in Boston against a contractor for immigration retaliation. - Will I lose my job if I report a fall at my construction site? **Not directly. Massachusetts workers' compensation is your exclusive remedy against your direct employer.** However, you can pursue third-party claims against general contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and other contractors whose negligence caused your fall. - Can I sue my employer for a fall on my construction site? **Workers' compensation: 4 years from when you knew the injury was work-related. Third-party lawsuits: 3 years from the date of the fall.** However, evidence at a construction site disappears quickly, so contact Attorney Sheehan immediately for the best results. - How long do I have to file construction site fall claims? **Attorney Sheehan investigates all responsible parties, including general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and rental companies.** Massachusetts law allows suing multiple defendants, and we pursue every negligent party to maximize total compensation. - What if multiple parties caused my construction site fall? **No. Attorney Sheehan works on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.** No upfront fees, no hourly charges, no consultation fees. Legal fees are a percentage of your settlement or verdict, and the firm advances all case costs. - Do you charge fees upfront for construction site fall cases? **Attorney Sheehan conducts all meetings, phone calls, and legal proceedings in Spanish when preferred.** All documents can be provided in Spanish. You never need interpreters or translators when working with The Law Office of John J. Sheehan. - What if I don't speak English well? **Yes, you can still pursue third-party claims for your construction site fall.** Workers' compensation and third-party lawsuits are separate proceedings with different defendants. However, the workers' comp insurer may have a lien on third-party recovery that Attorney Sheehan negotiates. - Can I file if I have already settled my workers' compensation claim? **Common defense tactic. Attorney Sheehan investigates each party's specific safety responsibilities and violations.** Multiple parties can share liability for construction site falls. We pursue compensation from all negligent defendants, regardless of their attempts to shift blame. - What if the general contractor blames my employer? ## Get Help Today! Your Consultation Is Free and Confidential. Don't let a construction site fall destroy your family's future. When safety rules are broken and workers fall, those responsible must pay. Attorney John J. Sheehan fights for every dollar you and your family deserve. --- Law Office of John J. Sheehan — [https://attorneysheehan.com/boston-construction-site-fall-lawyer](https://attorneysheehan.com/boston-construction-site-fall-lawyer)