Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for Road and Highway Construction Workers Help Injured Workers in Durham

To support Durham’s growth, there are many active road construction projects aimed at improving the Bull City’s transportation infrastructure. Whether widening I-40, upgrading NC 54, or improving U.S. 70, road construction crews are working on the city’s roads and highways trying to reduce congestion and make travel safer.

Unfortunately, road construction can be a hazardous occupation. Flaggers, machine operators, and asphalt laborers are at risk of being struck by passing vehicles, being exposed to harmful substances, or coming into damaging contact with dangerous equipment on a daily basis.

When you are hurt and can’t go back to work, it can be difficult to pay your bills and get the medical care you need. Your employer’s insurer is protecting its own best interests, not yours, so how do you know you’re getting all the workers’ comp benefits you may deserve?

As North Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys, we help NCDOT road crews, as well as those who work for local and private organizations in the state. (Federal DOT workers are not covered under North Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws and are instead generally covered under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act.)

Our Durham workers’ comp lawyers for road and highway construction workers can evaluate your case for free. For answers and help with no obligation, call us today at 1-866-900-7078.

How Often Do Road and Highway Construction Workers Get Injured?

North Carolina Department of Labor stats reveal that construction consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous industries in the state in terms of workplace injuries and fatalities. In addition to the risks inherent with working with heavy machinery, road and highway construction workers like you also face dangers related to vehicle collisions caused by changing traffic patterns, low visibility, and narrowed lanes.

In Durham, road construction projects—ranging from building new roads and bridges to upgrading existing ones—add to the potential for work-related accidents and injuries. These projects involve heavy machinery, and fast-paced environments which can increase the likelihood of injury, and even death.

We Help Injured Workers on State DOT Road Construction Cases

Each year, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) employs hundreds of road and highway construction workers to carry out the projects detailed in its 10-year State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

Whether you are hired into a more entry-level position (road maintenance, repair, construction) or as an intermediate-level manager overseeing workers, you are vulnerable to injury if you are onsite on the roads.

We can help you seek maximum compensation for any injuries incurred on an NCDOT road construction case. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.

We Handle Private Road Construction Cases, Too

Private roads are not subject to the same regulations and maintenance standards as public roads. The owners or property managers are responsible for their upkeep, including snow removal, road repairs, and traffic control, but workers are often hurt on these projects, as well.

We help workers seek maximum benefits and compensation for the harms and damages they may have suffered on the following types of private road construction projects:

• Residential Communities: Roads within gated communities, subdivisions, or private housing developments
• Private Businesses: Roads on private property, like industrial parks, corporate campuses, or shopping malls
• Landowners: Roads on private land, such as farms or ranches

And we can help you, too

Am I Eligible for Workers’ Compensation if I’m a Road Construction Worker?

Yes, you are likely covered by workers’ comp if you are an injured road construction worker in Durham. Generally, you are eligible if:

• You are an employee (not an independent contractor)
• Your employer has 3 or more employees
• You were injured on the job, or while performing work-related duties

If you are a federal road construction employee and are injured on the job, you are generally entitled to compensation benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), which covers medical expenses, wage loss compensation, and other assistance related to work-related injuries. This program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP).

If you have any questions about your eligibility for workers’ comp, our experienced Durham workers’ comp lawyers for road construction workers can help you. Call us today at 1-866-900-7078.

What Types of Injuries are Covered for Road Construction Workers in Durham?

Workers’ comp generally provides benefits to eligible road construction workers for injuries that occur on the job. Common injuries include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Crush injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Head and brain injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Shoulder, back, and knee injuries from heavy lifting
• Respiratory issues from toxic exposure to chemicals
• Burns, both chemical and thermal
• Lacerations, cuts, and amputations
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Heat exhaustion and heat stroke

In Durham, where road construction is constant, these types of injuries are often caused by:

• Struck-by accidents: injuries caused by passing equipment or vehicles
• Electrocutions: when working near power lines or faulty wiring
• Equipment-related hazards: when workers are caught in machinery or between equipment
• Extreme heat: many road construction projects provide little if any shade and take place during the hottest months of the year
• Toxic exposure: such as from asphalt fumes and chemicals used to harden concrete

What Benefits Can a Road Construction Worker Receive Through Workers’ Compensation?

When you’re injured on a road construction project, workers’ compensation can provide financial support and benefits to help you recover and cover your expenses. In Durham, workers’ compensation benefits typically cover several key areas:

• Medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Payment for permanent injury to a body part

In addition to these major categories, workers’ comp may also pay for vocational rehabilitation benefits TipVocational rehabilitation benefits include assistance and training provided to help an injured worker return to the workplace or obtain an alternate suitable job., or even death benefits in certain cases.

As a Road Construction Worker, Can I Sue if I’m Injured on the Job?

Generally, you cannot sue your employer after you’ve been injured on the job in Durham. NC workers’ compensation laws are based on a no-fault insurance system in which your employer or their insurance company may provide you with benefits to cover your medical care and partial wage losses and in exchange, you are prohibited from suing your employer.

However, there are some exceptions where a lawsuit could come into play, such as when:

• Your employer deliberately caused your injury
• Your employer does not have legally required workers’ comp insurance
• If someone other than your employer (such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner) caused your injury, you may be able to file a third-party claim TipThird-party claim: a personal injury lawsuit filed against a party not directly employed by the injured worker’s employer. Third-party claims are separate from workers’ comp claims.

At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we handle all different types of workers’ compensation cases for injured road construction workers. Our Durham workers’ comp attorneys can help you determine the right course of action for you and fight to maximize your compensation.

Why Hire Us as Your Durham Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

Our workers’ compensation team has several attorneys who are North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation Law – a designation that fewer than 160 attorneys licensed to practice in NC can claim.⁵

For 2025, our firm was named to the “Best Law Firms” list from Best Lawyers in America for the 10^th year in a row – with a Tier 1 ranking (the highest) for workers’ compensation.⁴

Coupled with this experience and knowledge is our commitment to putting the needs of our clients first. We even created a You-First Policy to give you peace of mind as you recover. Our construction accident lawyers are on your side and here to help you through this difficult time.

And there’s no need to worry about the cost of a high-quality attorney. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means no upfront costs, no retainer fees, no hourly fees…and you pay no attorney’s fee at all unless we get compensation for you. Guaranteed.²

See what our clients have to say about working with us:

If you need help, a real person is available to talk with you about your workers’ compensation case right now. For your free case evaluation, call us at 1-866-900-7078, contact us online, or click to chat with us!

⁵Figures provided by NC State Bar as of Jan 2024.