Last updated on March 27th, 2026 at 01:12 pm
Construction accident lawyers in Maine often handle complicated cases, such as that of a worker who was recently killed in an accident that occurred on the morning of November 4, 2014, on a southbound lane of Interstate 95. Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham was contracted to pave the road. The construction worker, who has been identified as 50-year-old James Woodward, lost his life in an accident with a loaded dump truck.
Investigation is ongoing
James Woodward was a resident of Westbrook, according to the Maine State Police. He was working on the paving project in the York River Bridge area when he had the misfortune to be standing behind the dump truck. The man was run over by the rear tandems. Police officers have identified the driver of the dump truck as 53-year-old Garry Johnson of Hollis, also a Shaw Brothers Construction employee.
It is not yet known if the family of James Woodward is planning on pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit or if police officers plan to charge Johnson with a criminal offense.
CPM Constructors of Freeport had subcontracted the paving project out to Shaw Brothers Construction. In a statement, the vice president of CPM Constructors, Paul Koziell, said, “It’s a tragedy and a shame. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the good folks at Shaw Brothers Construction.”
Legal rights and liability
Individuals who have sustained injuries while on the job in Maine have legal rights and recourse. Family members of construction workers who have lost their lives are invited to contact the Maine construction accident attorneys at Hardy, Wolf & Downing to learn about their legal rights. When a construction accident results in an injury, workers can apply for workers’ compensation benefits. However, some individuals may have the basis to file an additional claim for maximum compensation. This is known as a third-party claim.
Under the Workers’ Compensation Act, you cannot file a lawsuit against your employer; however, you can file a lawsuit against a third party whose actions or negligence contributed to your injuries. For example, if you fell off of scaffolding because the equipment was defective or because a subcontractor assembled the scaffolding incorrectly, your lawyer could file a lawsuit against the equipment manufacturer or the subcontractor. The same principles apply to the family members of construction workers who lost their lives.
Working with Maine construction accident lawyers
Families who have lost a loved one due to a construction accident may find closure in holding the responsible party accountable for the negligent actions that claimed a life. At Hardy, Wolf & Downing, our truck accident attorneys have been serving Maine residents for over 35 years with aggressive legal representation and comprehensive legal guidance. Although this is a difficult time for your family, it’s important to contact us right away because statutes of limitations apply to cases such as these.
When you work with our Maine construction injury lawyers, we’ll do everything in our power to help your family through this difficult time, including helping you pursue maximum compensation for the loss of your loved one. You can schedule a free consultation today by calling our law firm at 1-800- INJURED.
