Man Awarded $15.5 Million for Construction Zone Injury
Construction work can be dangerous. When construction zones are not properly marked, drivers can suffer catastrophic injuries. A New Jersey driver can attest to this.
The man, who was 23 years old at the time, was seriously injured in a Hunterdon County construction zone more than seven years ago. He was recently awarded $15.5 million by a jury.
According to court records, the driver suffered a traumatic brain injury and three spinal fractures on November 27, 2018. That was when a metal clamp struck the right side of his neck and jaw on Route 519 in Holland Township. He spent two weeks in the hospital and another two weeks in rehabilitation. There, he relearned how to walk and climb stairs.
The victim was working as an electrician’s assistant and was driving his employer’s vehicle when the crash occurred. At the time, a construction crew was preparing the roadway for widening using a track feller buncher, which is a piece of heavy equipment that gathers and cuts trees. A worker lowered the machine’s blade and hit a metal clamp embedded in the ground, sending it airborne. The clamp pierced the side of the vehicle and struck the driver, who was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
The lawsuit claimed the construction company failed to provide a trained traffic control coordinator, trained flaggers, and adequate traffic control for the active construction zone. Jurors found the company 90% responsible for the injuries.
The trial took place November 12 to 18. The trial led to a $15.5 million award, which included:
- $3 million for past pain and suffering.
- $9 million for future pain and suffering.
- $3.5 million for future lost wages.
Another company, which jurors found 10% responsible, had previously reached a settlement with the victim. With that settlement and interest included, the total recovery exceeded $20 million.
Dangers of Construction Zones
Construction zones create a unique set of hazards for drivers, workers, and pedestrians. Here are the key dangers commonly associated with construction zones:
- Sudden lane shifts and narrowed roadways. Work zones often reroute traffic with little room to maneuver. Narrow lanes and unexpected shifts can cause sideswipe crashes, rear-end collisions, and rollovers.
- Inconsistent or missing traffic control. Improperly placed cones, unclear signage, or untrained flaggers can confuse drivers. When traffic control is inadequate or poorly maintained, vehicles may enter closed areas or collide with construction equipment.
- Heavy machinery hazards. Excavators, bulldozers, feller bunchers, dump trucks, and cranes operate close to active lanes. If equipment operators misjudge distances or debris is thrown into the roadway, drivers and workers are at risk of catastrophic injury.
- Debris and uneven road surfaces. Open trenches, loose gravel, raised utility covers, and temporary pavement can cause vehicles to lose control.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Construction accidents may involve people other than workers and cause traumatic injuries. These injuries can cause hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in medical bills.
Contact a Morristown construction accident attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff if you have been injured on a construction site or in a construction zone. We can help you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a consultation by calling (973) 455-1567 or filling out the online form.
Source:
lehighvalleylive.com/hunterdon-county/2025/12/nj-man-awarded-155m-after-being-injured-by-flying-construction-debris.html
