Construction injury lawyer in New Jersey
Falls from height, scaffold and ladder collapses, struck-by and crush injuries — on sites across South and Central Jersey.
Two claims, not one
A construction injury almost always produces a workers' compensation claim against your employer. It frequently also produces a separate case against someone else on that site: the general contractor who ran an unsafe site, another sub whose crew dropped something, the owner of the equipment that failed. The comp claim pays medical and wages. The third-party case is where pain and suffering, and the real value, live.
Injuries we see most
- Falls from scaffolds, ladders, roofs and through unguarded openings
- Struck by falling material, tools or a swinging load
- Crush and caught-between injuries around heavy equipment
- Trench collapse
- Electrocution and arc flash
- Power tool and saw injuries, including amputations
- Silica, asbestos and chemical exposure claims
What to do on day one
- Report it to your foreman and get it in writing.
- Say at the hospital that you were hurt at work, on which site, doing what.
- Photograph the equipment, the location and any missing guard or harness anchor.
- Write down every company name on that site — the sign at the gate, the trucks, the shirts.
- Do not sign anything from an insurer without reading it to us first.
If you are paid in cash or undocumented
New Jersey workers' compensation covers workers regardless of immigration status, and being paid in cash does not put you outside the system. We handle these cases in Spanish out of both offices, and what you tell us is confidential.
Frequently asked questions
I am paid in cash. Can I still file?
Usually yes. Being paid off the books does not remove you from workers' compensation coverage, and it is not a reason to stay quiet about a serious injury. Call and ask — the conversation is confidential and free.
I am undocumented. Can I file a claim?
Immigration status does not bar a New Jersey workers' compensation claim or a third-party injury case. We handle these matters in Spanish.
Who else can be responsible besides my employer?
The general contractor, another subcontractor, the property owner, an equipment rental company or a manufacturer. That is the third-party case, and it is where pain and suffering can be recovered.
What if OSHA investigated?
An OSHA citation does not decide your case, but the inspection file, photographs and witness statements are valuable evidence. We request them early.
Tell us what happened. We'll tell you what we would do.
A real conversation, not a call center. If we are not the right firm for your case, we will say so.
Or email info@starkmanfirm.com. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney–client relationship, and information sent before we agree to represent you is not confidential.