Construction sites in Bensalem, Pennsylvania are among the most dangerous workplaces in the region. Whether it’s a commercial development near Street Road, a warehouse expansion off Route 1, or a residential build in one of Bensalem Township’s growing neighborhoods, workers on these sites face serious risks every single day. If you or a family member suffered a construction accident injury in Bensalem, you need to understand your legal rights under Pennsylvania law, and you need to act quickly. As a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer serving clients throughout Bucks County, including Bensalem, MyPhillyLawyer is ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Our principal office is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

• How Dangerous Are Construction Sites in Bensalem and Bucks County?
• OSHA’s Fatal Four: The Construction Accident Injuries That Happen Most Often
• Pennsylvania Laws That Protect Construction Workers After an Accident
• Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bensalem Construction Site Injury?
• Pennsylvania’s Statute of Limitations for Construction Accident Injury Claims
• What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bensalem Construction Accident?
• FAQs About Bensalem PA Construction Accident Injuries

How Dangerous Are Construction Sites in Bensalem and Bucks County?

Construction is the deadliest private industry in the United States, and the numbers are not improving fast enough. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, construction and extraction workers experienced 1,032 fatalities in 2024, with fatal falls, slips, and trips among these workers decreasing 7.5 percent to 370 in 2024 from 400 in 2023. That drop sounds encouraging, but it still means more than one construction worker dies from a fall every single day in this country.

The construction industry’s fatal work injury rate stood at 9.2 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2024, nearly three times the all-industry average of 3.3. That means a construction worker is almost three times more likely to die on the job than a worker in any other industry.

Bensalem sits at a busy crossroads of development. The township borders Philadelphia and sits along I-95, US Route 1, and Street Road, all areas with active commercial and infrastructure projects. Worksites near Neshaminy Mall, Parx Casino, and the many warehouse and distribution facilities along Route 1 all create conditions where workers face real daily hazards. When those hazards are not properly controlled, serious injuries happen, and Pennsylvania law gives injured workers real options for recovery.

OSHA’s Fatal Four: The Construction Accident Injuries That Happen Most Often

OSHA, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, identifies four specific hazard categories that cause the overwhelming majority of construction deaths. These are known as the “Fatal Four,” and they account for a disproportionate share of on-site injuries and deaths in Pennsylvania and across the country.

OSHA identifies four hazard categories, known as the “Fatal Four,” that consistently cause the majority of construction worker deaths: falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between accidents, which together account for roughly 60 percent of construction fatalities each year.

Falls from elevation are the single biggest killer. Falls are the leading cause of death in construction, with 389 fatal falls to a lower level out of 1,034 construction fatalities recorded in 2024, and these deaths are preventable. Under OSHA’s construction safety standard 29 CFR 1926.501, employers must provide fall protection for any worker at a height of six feet or more, including guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems.

Struck-by accidents happen when workers are hit by falling tools, swinging equipment, or moving vehicles. On busy Bensalem job sites near heavy truck traffic corridors, this hazard is especially serious. Electrocutions claim lives when workers contact live wires, use improperly grounded equipment, or work too close to overhead power lines. Caught-in/between accidents include trench collapses, machinery entanglements, and workers pinned between equipment and fixed structures.

Any one of these accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, severe burns, or death. If you suffered one of these injuries on a Bensalem construction site, call MyPhillyLawyer at (215) 227-2727 to discuss your options.

Pennsylvania Laws That Protect Construction Workers After an Accident

Pennsylvania workers injured on a construction site have rights under multiple overlapping legal frameworks. Understanding which law applies to your situation determines what compensation you can recover and who you can hold responsible.

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, codified at 77 P.S. § 1 et seq., requires virtually all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Under this system, an injured worker does not need to prove the employer was negligent to receive benefits. Workers’ comp covers medical treatment and a portion of lost wages. Under Pennsylvania law, wage loss benefits are generally calculated at two-thirds (66⅔%) of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to applicable maximums set by the state.

However, workers’ compensation is not your only option. Pennsylvania law under 77 P.S. § 671 allows an injured worker to pursue a third-party personal injury claim against someone other than the employer, such as a general contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or subcontractor, whose negligence caused the accident. When you recover money from a third-party lawsuit, your employer’s workers’ comp insurer may have a lien on part of that recovery, but a third-party claim can produce significantly larger compensation than workers’ comp alone, including damages for pain and suffering that workers’ comp does not cover.

Pennsylvania also follows a comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102. This statute allows you to recover damages even if you were partly at fault for the accident, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. Your total recovery is reduced in proportion to your own percentage of fault. This means that even if an insurance company argues you contributed to your own injury, you may still have a valid claim worth pursuing.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bensalem Construction Site Injury?

Liability on a construction site is rarely limited to just one party. Multiple contractors, property owners, equipment suppliers, and project managers often share responsibility for the conditions that lead to an injury. Identifying every responsible party is one of the most important steps in building a strong construction accident claim.

General contractors have broad legal duties to maintain safe conditions across the entire job site. A general contractor who fails to enforce fall protection requirements, allows an unprotected trench to remain open, or ignores a known electrical hazard can be held liable for injuries that result. Subcontractors can also be responsible when their crews create dangerous conditions that injure workers from other trades.

Property owners in Bensalem, including developers running projects near the I-95 corridor or along Bristol Pike, owe a duty of care to workers on their land. If a property owner knew about a dangerous condition and failed to address it, they can face liability under Pennsylvania premises liability principles.

Equipment manufacturers can be held responsible under product liability law when a defective tool, machine, or safety device fails and causes injury. A harness that breaks under load, a scaffold component that gives way, or a crane with a faulty braking system can all support a product liability claim separate from any workers’ comp filing.

Determining who is responsible requires a detailed investigation of the accident scene, contracts between parties, OSHA inspection records, and witness accounts. MyPhillyLawyer handles that investigation so you can focus on recovery. Call us at (215) 227-2727 or Toll Free: 866-352-4572.

Pennsylvania’s Statute of Limitations for Construction Accident Injury Claims

Time is a critical factor in any construction accident case. Pennsylvania law sets firm deadlines for filing personal injury claims, and missing those deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering any compensation, no matter how serious your injuries are.

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. This two-year window applies to most construction accident claims, including those involving falls, struck-by accidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between injuries. If the injured worker died as a result of the construction accident, the family may also have a wrongful death claim under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8301, which allows survivors to recover economic damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, and other losses caused by the death.

There are situations where the deadline can be affected. If a government entity owns or controls the construction site, such as a public road project on Street Road or a municipal building in Bensalem Township, special notice requirements and shorter timelines may apply under Pennsylvania’s Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8553, claims against political subdivisions are also subject to a damages cap of $500,000 per incident, which makes early legal consultation even more important in those cases.

For asbestos-related construction injuries, 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524 provides that the two-year period begins from the date a licensed physician informs the worker of the asbestos-related diagnosis, or from the date the worker knew or reasonably should have known of the injury, whichever comes first.

Do not wait to consult an attorney. Evidence disappears, witnesses move on, and OSHA inspection records become harder to obtain with time. Contact MyPhillyLawyer as soon as possible after your accident.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bensalem Construction Accident?

A serious construction accident can change your life in an instant. Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and severe burns all require extensive medical treatment, long recovery periods, and sometimes permanent accommodations. The compensation available through a personal injury claim is designed to address the full scope of those losses.

Through a third-party personal injury claim, you may be able to recover economic damages such as all past and future medical expenses, lost wages during recovery, and reduced future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your trade. You may also recover non-economic damages for physical pain, emotional suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. These are damages that workers’ compensation simply does not provide.

If a family member was killed in a construction accident at a Bensalem job site, the Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Act at 42 Pa. C.S. § 8301 allows eligible survivors to recover compensation for financial losses caused by the death, including medical and funeral expenses. Pennsylvania’s Survival Act also allows the estate to pursue damages the deceased worker would have been entitled to recover had they survived.

Construction accidents that involve scaffolding failures, warehouse conditions, or workplace wrongful death situations often involve significant damages across multiple categories. Every case is different, and the value of your claim depends on the specific facts of your accident, your injuries, and how the responsible parties are identified. MyPhillyLawyer reviews construction accident cases and can help you understand what your claim may be worth. Call (215) 227-2727 today to speak with our team about your situation.

FAQs About Bensalem PA Construction Accident Injuries

Can I sue my employer directly if I was hurt on a construction site in Bensalem?

Generally, no. Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act, 77 P.S. § 1 et seq., is the exclusive remedy against your direct employer for most work injuries. This means you cannot sue your employer in civil court for a construction accident. However, you can still file a third-party lawsuit against other parties whose negligence contributed to your injury, such as a general contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or another subcontractor on the site. These third-party claims can produce significantly more compensation than workers’ comp alone.

What if I was partially at fault for my construction accident in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102. You can still recover damages as long as your share of fault is not greater than 50 percent. Your total compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you were 20 percent responsible for your accident and awards $500,000 in damages, you would receive $400,000. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case to minimize any fault attributed to you.

How long do I have to file a construction accident injury claim in Pennsylvania?

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. If you miss this deadline, you lose the right to pursue compensation in court. Certain situations, such as accidents involving government-owned property or latent occupational diseases like asbestos exposure, may involve different timelines. Contact an attorney promptly after your accident to make sure you do not miss any critical deadlines.

What types of injuries are most common in Bensalem construction accidents?

The most common serious construction accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries from falls and struck-by incidents, spinal cord injuries that can cause partial or full paralysis, bone fractures, crush injuries from caught-in/between accidents, severe burns from electrical contact or fires, and amputations. Falls from scaffolding, rooftops, and elevated platforms are especially common causes of catastrophic injury. Any of these injuries can result in permanent disability and require long-term medical care, which is why pursuing full compensation matters.

Does workers’ compensation cover all of my losses after a construction accident?

No, workers’ compensation under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, typically calculated at 66⅔% of your average weekly wage. It does not compensate you for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the full value of your lost future earnings in many cases. That is why identifying third-party claims against contractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers is so important. A combined workers’ comp and third-party personal injury strategy often produces the most complete financial recovery for injured construction workers.

More Resources About Workplace Injuries

• Bensalem PA Construction Accident Lawyer
• Bensalem PA Scaffolding Accident Lawyer
• Bensalem PA Warehouse Injury Lawyer
• Bensalem PA Amazon Warehouse Injury Lawyer
• Bensalem PA Casino Worker Injury Lawyer
• Bensalem PA Retail Worker Injury Lawyer
• Bensalem PA Workplace Wrongful Death Lawyer
• Workers Compensation Attorney
• Workplace Accident Attorneys