A construction worker in New Jersey has won a massive jury award after a serious workplace accident caused him to lose his leg. The man, age 22, suffered severe injuries in the construction accident, which occurred when he plunged 20 feet through a hole at a work site. The victim had been directing a steel delivery when the 2012 accident occurred. He stepped on some plywood that had been covering a large hole; the flimsy wood gave way and caused the man to suffer a violent fall.
The six-week trial led to a jury award of $26 million for the man, who had 10 surgeries in an effort to save his leg. Those surgeries were not successful, and physicians eventually had to amputate below the knee. The victim was awarded financial compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering and lost wages from the Manhattan jury. Even the judge seemed to be convinced that the construction worker deserved compensation, noting in a pretrial hearing that the man’s grave injury was due to poor safety compliance on the part of the developer.
The construction industry is one of the most dangerous occupations because of the prevalence of scaffolding, electrical hazards, heavy machinery and other vehicles. A construction accident may leave a victim with only bumps and bruises, but more serious injuries are likely to occur because of these notable hazards. Victims like this man who are injured in a construction worker accident deserve financial compensation for their injuries.
In many cases, employers and related parties fight workers’ compensation claims in an effort to keep their insurance premiums low. Victims should not have to battle for the money they deserve. Do not accept a paltry settlement from an unscrupulous insurance company; instead, increase your likelihood of a positive court outcome by seeking the help of a workers’ compensation attorney.
Source: New York Post, “Man wins $26M after losing leg at construction site,” Julia Marsh and Josh Saul, Nov. 03, 2015