New Bedford, MA — Two Workers Seriously Injured in Rebar Cage Collapse at I-195 Interchange

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.

If you are injured on a construction site, 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' Comp doesn't cover. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the full 100% of your lost future earning capacity.

In the New Bedford incident, the findings from OSHA and MassDOT will be critical. If investigators determine that safety protocols for securing rebar cages were ignored or that structural supports were insufficient, that evidence becomes the foundation of your legal claim. Because 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 an accident in Massachusetts, taking immediate action and seeking expert support is essential. A trusted personal injury attorney can provide the guidance and advocacy needed to protect your rights, secure fair compensation, and navigate the legal and insurance processes with confidence during this stressful and difficult 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.