Emergency crews responded to the scene near Coggeshall Street and Route 18 South after three massive steel rebar cages, intended to reinforce structural columns, gave way and struck the workers. Both men were extricated from the debris and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Work at the site was temporarily halted as federal investigators from
OSHA arrived to determine why the reinforcement structures failed.
The incident remains under investigation.
We hope that the injured workers make a swift and full recovery.
What Are My Rights if I Am Injured on a Construction Site in New Bedford, MA?
If you are injured on a construction site in New Bedford, your primary source of recovery is typically Workers' Compensation, but you may also have the right to file a "third-party" lawsuit if the accident was caused by someone other than your direct employer.
In Massachusetts, nearly all construction workers are covered by Workers' Compensation insurance. This is a "no-fault" system, meaning you are entitled to benefits regardless of who caused the rebar collapse. These benefits typically cover:
- Medical Expenses: 100% coverage for all "reasonable and necessary" medical treatment related to the injury.
- Lost Wages: Typically 60% of your average weekly wage for total disability, or a portion of the difference in your earnings if you can only return to light-duty work.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Help getting back into the workforce if your injuries prevent you from returning to construction.
While you generally cannot sue your own employer for a work injury, the complex nature of a highway project, which involves general contractors, subcontractors, and engineers, often opens the door for a third-party claim.
If the collapse was caused by a design flaw from an outside engineering firm, a defect in the steel rebar itself, or the negligence of a different subcontractor on site, you can sue those parties for damages that Workers' Compensation doesn't cover. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the full 100% of your lost future earning capacity.
In these kinds of incidents, the findings from OSHA and MassDOT are critical. If investigators determine that safety protocols for securing cages were ignored or that structural supports were insufficient, that evidence may become the foundation of a legal claim.
Since construction sites change rapidly as work continues, it is essential to have an independent legal team preserve physical evidence and interview witnesses before the site is cleared and the column is poured.
If you were involved in a construction accident in New Bedford, taking immediate action and seeking expert support is essential. A
personal injury attorney can provide the guidance and advocacy needed to protect your rights, fight for compensation, and navigate the legal and insurance processes with confidence during this stressful and challenging time.
For assistance and legal guidance, Attorney Christopher Fiorentino of Fiorentino Legal, P.C. can provide expert support. You can contact Chris at (617) 990-2568 to discuss your case and learn about your rights and options moving forward.
Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, Fiorentino Legal, P.C. has not independently verified all details of the incident reported. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Fiorentino Legal, P.C. so we can promptly review and update the content.
Disclaimer: The content of this post is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Fiorentino Legal, P.C. If you have been injured in an accident, seek appropriate medical care and consult a qualified attorney regarding your legal options. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual accident scene or individuals involved.
