With the booming construction industry in Southern California, many of us work construction jobs or pass by a construction site every day. Unfortunately, work site accidents are common, too – resulting in debilitating injuries and massive costs for victims. It’s even more distressing to know that such accidents are often preventable and caused by someone else’s negligence.
Were you injured at a construction site as a worker or passerby? A personal injury claim may be your legal avenue for maximum financial recovery.
In the Inland Empire, get the help of Gavel Law Firm. Our construction accident lawyer has prior insider experience in the insurance industry, which gives us a unique advantage in injury claims like yours. This enables us to be strategic and efficient in pursuing full compensation for our clients.
Consult with us for free. We won’t charge you any lawyer fees until we obtain compensation for you. Call Gavel Law Firm at (951) 289-0202.
Injured Worker: Is My Compensation Limited Exclusively to Workers’ Comp Benefits?
Often, the answer to this is NO – injured workers are not necessarily limited to workers’ compensation benefits. You may have heard that if you get injured on the job, you can only file for workers’ comp but cannot sue for more compensation. This may be true if your employer is solely responsible for your injuries, but if a third party is also liable, you may have more legal options.
In many construction accident cases, it’s possible to file an injury claim against a negligent third party, aside from the workers’ comp claim with your employer. Here are some example scenarios where you may file a third-party injury lawsuit:
- If you were a subcontractor who got injured because the general contractor failed to keep the site safe, you may be able to sue that general contractor.
- If you were a construction worker who got injured by a defective machine or malfunctioning tool, the manufacturer of that equipment may be liable to pay you.
- If you got injured because of faulty blueprints or demolition plans from engineers or architects, those parties could be held liable for your injuries.
It’s important to explore your other legal options because workers’ comp rarely covers the true extent of your losses. For instance, it covers only a fraction of your missed wages and doesn’t compensate you for your pain and suffering.
Talk to us at Gavel Law Firm about maximizing your compensation. We’re ready to listen to you, assess your situation, and assist you with your available legal remedies.
Injured Bystander at Construction Site: Grounds for an Injury Claim
Pedestrians, passersby, and visitors at construction sites may also file a claim if they get injured within a work zone. Typically, they can pursue a personal injury claim on the grounds of premises liability. This is the legal concept that holds property owners or managers responsible for keeping people safe within their premises.
Construction companies are subject to federal and state requirements to keep the general public safe around work sites. These requirements include:
- Adequate signage and warnings
- Barricades around dangerous areas
- Proper securing of equipment and loads
- Adequate pathways where pedestrians can safely pass.
If a builder falls short of these protocols, they could be deemed liable for resulting injuries and losses.
As an injured citizen, you have the right to file a claim against those who were responsible for your accident. However, you could be facing well-resourced construction companies or developers, as well as insurance companies attempting to minimize your claim. Protect your rights and secure your interests with the help of a construction injury lawyer from Gavel Law Firm.
Gavel Law Firm: Experienced Construction Injury Attorney
We handle a wide range of construction accident claims including:
- Falling from collapsed scaffolding, platforms, or ladders
- Falling into open holes
- Getting hit by falling objects
- Getting caught in or crushed by equipment
- Electrocution injuries
- Fires and chemical burns
- Explosions
- Welding accidents
- Nail gun misfires
- Conveyor accidents
- Accidents involving cranes, loaders, compactors, forklifts, or other heavy machinery
- Trucking or transport accidents
- And more.
Regardless of what caused your accident, or even if you think you were partly at fault, it’s important to consult a lawyer as soon as you can. At Gavel Law Firm, you’ll get a free consultation where a reliable construction injury attorney can evaluate your case and provide legal advice specifically for your situation.
Riverside Construction Accident Questions, Answered
How much can I receive in a construction injury claim? What does it cover?
Your potential settlement in a construction injury claim depends on many factors such as the severity of your injury, your long-term costs, and the circumstances around the accident. Discuss with an experienced construction injury lawyer to learn the value of your specific case.
In general, construction accident claims cover economic (monetary) and non-economic (non-monetary) damages. These include:
- Medical bills – emergency costs, diagnostic tests, doctors’ fees, hospital bills, surgery, medication, and more
- Rehabilitation expenses – physical therapy, occupational therapy, and the like
- Lost earnings
- Diminished ability to earn
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological distress – such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Note that the list above pertains to a personal injury claim, not a workers’ compensation claim. In the workers’ comp system, certain damages such as pain and suffering may not be compensable. This is why many injured workers pursue a personal injury case on top of their workers’ comp claims to seek the maximum repayment they need and deserve.
How common are construction accidents in California?
Hundreds of thousands of work-related injuries occur in California each year. Take a look at these latest numbers:
- In 2022 alone, California saw 565,900 nonfatal injuries and illnesses at workplaces, according to the state Department of Industrial Relations. The construction industry had the second-highest number of these injuries at 41,300.
- In a separate report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in 2021, California had 79 deaths in the private construction industry, making it the most fatal work industry in the state that year.
- Among the 79 construction deaths in California in 2021, 33 were due to falling, tripping, or slipping accidents.
What are the common causes of construction accidents?
The following are common causes and factors in construction accidents:
- Failure to set up safety measures
- Failure to observe safety protocols
- Inadequate supervision
- Inexperience
- Defective equipment
- Shoddy materials
- Faulty plans or blueprints
- Overexertion
- And more.
What injuries qualify for a construction accident claim?
A wide variety of injuries are eligible for a construction accident claim, including but not limited to:
- Muscle or ligament damage
- Sprains and strains
- Broken bones (fractures)
- Back or spine injuries
- Neck or shoulder injuries
- Head injuries
- Crushed limbs
- Amputation
- Paralysis
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Burns
- Toxic exposure.
If your loved one was tragically killed in a construction site accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. If successful, this claim can compensate you for losses such as funeral expenses, burial or cremation costs, lost income, lost benefits, and lost companionship. Reach out to us at Gavel Law Firm as we are also experienced in handling Riverside wrongful death cases.
Why do I need a construction injury attorney?
If you wish to get fully compensated after your California construction accident, an injury attorney’s help will be crucial in the following aspects:
- Evaluating the full extent of your losses and the amount you truly deserve
- Compiling evidence and building solid arguments for your claim
- Negotiating with insurers that are experienced in downsizing claims
- Determining when to take the case to court, and representing you in litigation if necessary
- Protecting you from costly mistakes such as making statements that could harm your claim.
Experienced injury attorney Bryan A. Mason, who heads Gavel Law Firm, is highly competent in handling construction accident claims. He is strategic and tenacious when dealing with insurers, using the beneficial insight from his previous experience in the insurance industry. He’s eager to discuss your case through a no-cost consultation.
Contact a Riverside Construction Accident Lawyer from Gavel Law Firm
Inland Empire residents now trust Gavel Law Firm when it comes to injury compensation. Our firm has a unique insider background in injury claims, which we combine with assertive skills and tireless dedication to get our clients fairly compensated. With this top-notch legal service, we’ve obtained favorable settlements for many injured Californians and their families.
Talk to us about your construction site injury. Your consultation is free, and you won’t have to pay us until we win for you. Call Gavel Law Firm now at (951) 289-0202.
