Construction Accident Attorneys in Reading, PA

Wrongful Injury Representation for Berks County Construction Workers

Construction sites are unforgiving when something goes wrong. At Liever, Hyman & Potter, we’ve represented wrongful injury victims and their families in Reading, PA since 1959. Every attorney at our firm handles only wrongful injury and death claims. No real estate closings, no business contracts. With 115-plus combined years devoted entirely to that single focus, we understand what it takes to pursue serious construction accident claims in Pennsylvania.

If you or someone you love was hurt on a job site in the Reading area, we’re available for a free consultation at no cost or obligation.

Injured on a construction site? Call (610) 885-1991 to speak with a wrongful injury attorney about your options at no charge.

Common Construction Accidents in the Reading Area

OSHA identifies four leading causes of construction fatalities, known as the Fatal Four: falls from heights, electrocution, struck-by incidents, and caught-in or caught-between machinery or structures. Together, these account for the majority of construction worker deaths nationwide. Beyond the Fatal Four, scaffold collapses, crane and forklift accidents, trench cave-ins, defective equipment, and roadway work zone accidents can all result in serious injury claims.

The injuries that follow these events are often severe. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and permanent disability are common outcomes. Construction accidents don’t affect only employees. Independent contractors, bystanders, and drivers passing through active work zones can also be seriously hurt, and their legal options differ from those of direct employees.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims in Pennsylvania

Most injured construction workers are covered by Pennsylvania workers’ compensation, which provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement without requiring proof that the employer did anything wrong. That protection comes with a trade-off: workers’ comp generally shields employers from direct lawsuits. But a construction site is rarely a two-party arrangement.

General contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and third-party maintenance companies may all share responsibility for conditions that led to an accident. When any party other than the direct employer contributed to the accident through negligence, the injured worker may pursue a separate third-party personal injury claim on top of any workers’ compensation benefits. That distinction matters because workers’ comp doesn’t pay for pain and suffering or full wage replacement. A third-party lawsuit can pursue both, along with compensation for loss of enjoyment of life and, in some cases, punitive damages.

Independent contractors and bystanders hurt near a job site may not qualify for workers’ compensation at all, leaving a personal injury claim as their primary avenue. Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule allows a claimant who is partly at fault to still recover, though recovery is reduced proportionally and is barred entirely if fault reaches 51 percent or more.

John R. Badal, lead attorney at our firm, served as Chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Berks County Bar Association, in addition to the Civil Litigation Section. That background directly informs how our attorneys analyze the intersection of workers’ comp and civil claims in construction cases.

Pennsylvania deadlines to know (general rules; consult an attorney for your specific situation):

• Report the injury to your employer within 120 days of the accident
• Workers’ compensation claim filing deadline is generally three years from the date of injury
• Personal injury lawsuit deadline is generally two years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524

What Compensation May Be Available

Workers’ compensation benefits typically cover medical expenses, partial wage replacement (generally two-thirds of the average weekly wage, subject to state limits), and disability benefits. Families of workers killed on the job may be entitled to death benefits. Those amounts are capped and exclude pain and suffering entirely.

A successful third-party personal injury claim can recover what workers’ comp leaves behind: full lost wages, future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may recover for loss of support, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses. Whether one or both avenues are available depends on the specific facts of the accident, which is why early legal review matters.

Why Construction Accident Victims in Reading Choose Liever, Hyman & Potter

Our firm has pursued wrongful injury and death claims since 1959. Our four attorneys have devoted virtually their entire careers to this single practice area, and our combined experience totals 115-plus years. We don’t divide that attention across unrelated practice areas.

John R. Badal was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1978 and to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991. His entire legal career has been devoted to representing wrongful injury victims. He holds membership in both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, recognitions tied to documented case results at those dollar thresholds. His chairmanships of the Civil Litigation Section and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Berks County Bar Association reflect standing that extends into the broader legal community.

That standing is reflected in how clients find us. A significant portion come through referrals from other law firms, satisfied former clients, and community members who know our record, which is how we earned recognition within the legal community as “The Lawyers’ Lawyers.”

Our results across serious injury and wrongful death cases speak to the depth of that focus. In a recent three-year period, we recovered more than 500 awards and settlements, including numerous million-dollar and multi-million-dollar outcomes. Since 1959, we’ve won thousands of awards and settlements for victims and their families. Documented results include a $3.5 million trucking crash settlement, a $3.265 million drunk driving wrongful death settlement, and a $6.5 million settlement for a client who suffered a brain bleed resulting in hemiplegia. These are serious injury and death cases that demanded the same level of legal capacity construction accident claims require.

Every case we take is carefully reviewed and assigned to a civil trial attorney qualified to handle it. You pay nothing in fees and nothing in case expenses we advance on your behalf until we recover money for you. That policy applies to every client and every case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does It Cost to Hire a Construction Accident Attorney?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees and no case expenses we advance until we recover money for you. This applies to every case we take. The initial consultation is also free.

How Long Do I Have to File a Construction Accident Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

The general deadline for a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524. For workers’ compensation, you must report the injury to your employer within 120 days, and the claim filing deadline is generally three years. Specific circumstances can affect these deadlines, so don’t wait to speak with an attorney.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Construction Site Injury?

Seek medical attention first. Then report the accident to a supervisor, document the scene, and collect witness contact information if you’re able. Consult an attorney before giving any statements to insurance representatives. Early legal guidance helps protect your claim before evidence disappears or adjusters begin building their own record.

Can I File a Workers’ Comp Claim and a Personal Injury Lawsuit at the Same Time?

Potentially, yes. Workers’ compensation and a third-party personal injury claim are separate legal actions. If a party other than your direct employer contributed to the accident, you may pursue both. A construction accident attorney can assess the facts and identify which parties may bear liability beyond your employer.

Are Undocumented Workers Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania are available regardless of immigration status. If you were injured on a job site in the Reading area, your eligibility for those benefits isn’t tied to your documentation status.

Talk to a Construction Accident Attorney in Reading at No Charge

If you were hurt on a job site or lost a family member in a construction accident, we can review your case carefully and advise you on your options. No fees, no advanced case expenses, until we recover money for you.

Call (610) 885-1991 to schedule your free consultation with the attorneys at Liever, Hyman & Potter.