Conshohocken is in the middle of a major building boom. Projects like the 13-story, 348-unit residential high-rise at 400 West Elm Street, the 11-story SORA West office tower on Fayette Street, and proposed developments near the Schuylkill River waterfront have brought hundreds of construction workers to this Montgomery County borough. That activity creates real risk. When a worker is hurt on a high-rise job site, knowing your legal rights is the first step toward getting fair compensation. If you or someone you love was injured on a Conshohocken construction site, a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer at MyPhillyLawyer is ready to help you understand your options.

Table of Contents

• Why High-Rise Construction Sites in Conshohocken Are So Dangerous
• Pennsylvania Laws That Protect Injured High-Rise Construction Workers
• Who Can Be Held Responsible for a High-Rise Construction Accident in Conshohocken
• What Damages Can a Conshohocken High-Rise Construction Accident Victim Recover
• The Deadline to File a High-Rise Construction Accident Claim in Pennsylvania
• FAQs About Conshohocken PA High-Rise Construction Accident Lawyer

Why High-Rise Construction Sites in Conshohocken Are So Dangerous

High-rise construction carries risks that ground-level work simply does not. The higher workers climb, the more severe the consequences of a fall, a dropped tool, or a structural failure. Conshohocken’s rapid development along the Schuylkill River corridor, including multi-story residential towers and large office buildings near the SEPTA Regional Rail station, means more workers are exposed to these elevated hazards every day.

According to OSHA, falls are the single leading cause of death in construction. 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, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That is more than one fatal fall every single day across the country.

Beyond falls, high-rise sites create serious risks from falling objects, crane failures, scaffolding collapses, electrical hazards, and caught-in/between accidents involving heavy equipment. Four out of ten of the OSHA top citations in 2024 involved falls, and in that same year, U.S. construction workers experienced 95% of all fatal falls from elevation.

OSHA identifies four hazard categories as the most deadly in construction: falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between accidents. Each of these hazards is present on a high-rise job site in Conshohocken, whether the work is happening on the riverfront near Matson Mill, along Fayette Street, or anywhere else in the borough. Workers in these environments deserve every legal protection available to them.

Pennsylvania Laws That Protect Injured High-Rise Construction Workers

Pennsylvania law gives injured construction workers two main paths to recovery: a workers’ compensation claim and, in some cases, a personal injury lawsuit against a third party. Understanding the difference matters, because the two paths can lead to very different outcomes.

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, codified at 77 P.S. § 1 et seq., requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Under this system, an injured worker can receive benefits regardless of who was at fault. Those benefits generally cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, weekly disability benefits are calculated at two-thirds (66⅔%) of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to statewide maximum and minimum limits set annually.

Workers’ compensation, however, does not pay for pain and suffering. That is where a third-party personal injury claim becomes critical. If your injury was caused by someone other than your direct employer, such as a general contractor, a subcontractor, an equipment manufacturer, or a property owner, you may be able to file a separate civil lawsuit. This type of claim falls under Pennsylvania’s general negligence laws and can include compensation for pain, suffering, lost earning capacity, and other damages that workers’ compensation does not cover.

Pennsylvania also follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102. Under this statute, a plaintiff can still recover damages even if they were partially at fault, as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50%. Any damages awarded are reduced in proportion to the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. This means that even if a site supervisor claims you contributed to your own accident, you may still have a valid claim.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a High-Rise Construction Accident in Conshohocken

Liability on a high-rise construction site is rarely simple. Multiple parties often share responsibility, and identifying all of them is essential to building a strong claim.

General contractors carry broad responsibility for site safety. Under OSHA regulations, including 29 CFR 1926.501, the general contractor on a multi-story project is required to ensure that fall protection systems are in place for workers six feet or more above a lower level. Fall Protection, General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.501) has been OSHA’s most cited standard for 16 fiscal years in a row. When a general contractor ignores that standard, they can be held liable for the injuries that result.

Subcontractors can also bear responsibility for the safety of their own crews. If a scaffolding subcontractor installs a platform incorrectly, or an electrical subcontractor leaves live wires exposed, and a worker is hurt as a result, that subcontractor may be a proper defendant in a lawsuit.

Equipment manufacturers are another potential source of liability. If a crane, lift, or piece of rigging equipment fails because of a design defect or manufacturing flaw, the maker of that equipment can be sued under product liability law, separate from any workers’ compensation claim.

Property owners, including the developers behind large Conshohocken projects, also owe a duty of care to workers on their sites. Under Pennsylvania premises liability law, a property owner who knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to correct it can be held accountable for injuries that result. Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence statute at 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102 also provides that where a defendant is found to be at least 60% at fault, that defendant can be held jointly and severally liable for the full amount of damages awarded.

What Damages Can a Conshohocken High-Rise Construction Accident Victim Recover

The injuries from a high-rise construction accident are often catastrophic. Falls from upper floors, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and severe burns are all common outcomes. The financial impact on a worker and their family can be devastating, and the law recognizes that.

In a third-party personal injury lawsuit, an injured worker in Pennsylvania can pursue compensation for medical expenses, both past and future, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages go well beyond what workers’ compensation provides.

If a construction accident results in death, the worker’s family may have a wrongful death claim under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8301. This statute allows eligible surviving family members to recover damages for the financial losses caused by the death, including medical expenses, funeral costs, and the loss of the deceased worker’s financial contributions to the household. Pennsylvania’s Survival Act, also found in Title 42, allows the estate to pursue damages the worker would have been entitled to had they survived.

Where a government entity owns or controls the construction site, damages caps may apply. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8528, claims against Commonwealth agencies are generally capped at $250,000 per claimant. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8553, claims against local political subdivisions, such as a borough or county authority, are capped at $500,000 in the aggregate. These limits do not apply to private contractors or developers, where full compensatory damages remain available.

The Deadline to File a High-Rise Construction Accident Claim in Pennsylvania

Time matters enormously in a construction accident case. Pennsylvania law sets a strict deadline, called the statute of limitations, for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, the general rule is that you have two years from the date of your injury to file a civil claim. Miss that deadline, and a court will almost certainly dismiss your case, no matter how strong it is.

Two years sounds like a long time, but it goes quickly. Evidence disappears. Witnesses move or forget details. Security footage gets recorded over. Job site records get lost or destroyed. The earlier an attorney gets involved, the better the chance of preserving the evidence needed to prove your case.

There are limited exceptions to the two-year rule. If a worker was exposed to a hazardous substance, such as asbestos, which is still found in older buildings being demolished during redevelopment projects in the Conshohocken area, the clock may not start running until the worker is diagnosed by a licensed physician, as provided under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524(8). But these exceptions are narrow, and you should never assume one applies to your situation without speaking to an attorney.

Workers’ compensation claims also have their own deadlines. Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, you generally must report a work injury to your employer within 120 days of the accident or risk losing benefits. Filing a workers’ compensation claim does not stop the clock on a separate personal injury lawsuit, so both timelines must be tracked at the same time.

If you were hurt on a high-rise construction site in Conshohocken, whether near the Schuylkill River waterfront, along Fayette Street, or anywhere else in Montgomery County, do not wait to get legal advice. Call MyPhillyLawyer at (215) 227-2727 or Toll Free: 866-352-4572. Our office serves clients throughout the greater Philadelphia region, and we are ready to review your situation at no charge.

FAQs About Conshohocken PA High-Rise Construction Accident Lawyer

Can I sue my employer if I was hurt on a high-rise construction site in Conshohocken?

In most cases, Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act limits your ability to sue your direct employer. The workers’ compensation system is generally the exclusive remedy against your own employer. However, if a general contractor, subcontractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or another third party caused or contributed to your injury, you may be able to file a separate personal injury lawsuit against that party. This is why identifying all responsible parties is so important after a construction accident.

What if I was partially at fault for my high-rise construction accident?

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 50% or less. Your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault and awards $500,000, you would receive $400,000. Do not assume that partial fault ends your claim, because it often does not.

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

The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the accident, under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524. For workers’ compensation, you must also report your injury to your employer within 120 days to protect your right to benefits. Both deadlines run at the same time, so acting quickly is essential. Missing either deadline can cost you significant rights.

What types of injuries are most common in high-rise construction accidents in Conshohocken?

The most serious injuries on high-rise sites include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, amputations, severe burns, and crush injuries. Falls from elevation are the most common cause of fatalities in construction nationally, according to OSHA and Bureau of Labor Statistics data. These injuries often require long-term medical care and can permanently affect a worker’s ability to earn a living, which is why full compensation through a third-party lawsuit matters so much.

Does MyPhillyLawyer handle construction accident cases in Conshohocken, PA?

Yes. MyPhillyLawyer handles personal injury claims arising from construction accidents throughout the greater Philadelphia region, including Conshohocken and the surrounding Montgomery County area. Our principal office is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We represent injured workers and their families in third-party personal injury lawsuits and work alongside workers’ compensation proceedings. To discuss your situation, call us at (215) 227-2727 or Toll Free: 866-352-4572.

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