Personal Injury Legal Group > Construction Accidents

Table of Contents

Los Angeles Construction Accident Lawyer

Q: Who Assumes Liability for a Construction Accident?

Construction Firms: Construction companies are liable for most accidents when their workers are injured. They are also liable for nonworkers such as pedestrians or divers passing by a construction site. A construction firm may show negligence or contribute to accidents by not adhering to OSHA regulations or failing to sufficiently train their employees.

Los Angeles Construction Accidents Attorney

Of all the different industries, construction is one of the most dangerous. Construction workers perform many important jobs, and they work in a vast variety of different settings, from private residences to huge commercial towers. For these workers, even just being present on a construction site can pose an enormous risk. It is not only workers who are placed at risk in and around construction sites, though. Innocent bystanders are often hurt due to the dangerous nature of these sites. When a site is not secured properly, people can become hurt.

Regardless of whether you were a worker on a site or you were simply near a construction site and became hurt, it is critical that you know you have legal options. You can claim compensation, but the legal avenue you choose will depend on the specific facts of your case. Our Los Angeles construction accident lawyer at Personal Injury Legal Group can explain what those are.

Why Work With a Los Angeles Construction Accident Lawyer?

You may think you do not need a lawyer after a construction accident. Although there is no requirement that you do have legal representation, you will have a much better chance of receiving the fair damages to which you are entitled. In fact, multiple studies have shown that when working with an attorney, accident victims recover approximately three times more in compensation than those who do not.

When working with a lawyer, they will get to work right away investigating the accident. A lawyer will visit the scene of the accident, preserve video and photo evidence, and contact eyewitnesses who can provide statements. As your case progresses, you may also need to obtain court orders to obtain more evidence, or you may also need to reach out to government agencies, such as the OSHA, to confirm safety filings. All of these tasks are difficult, and you do not want to handle them while also trying to recover from serious injuries. A lawyer will perform all of these tasks for you so you can focus on getting better.

Who Assumes Liability for a Construction Accident?

Construction Firms: Construction companies are liable for most accidents when their workers are injured. They are also liable for nonworkers such as pedestrians or divers passing by a construction site. A construction firm may show negligence or contribute to accidents by not adhering to OSHA regulations or failing to sufficiently train their employees.
Property Owner: If something defective or dangerous is found on private property the property owner may be liable for causing an accident. An example might be a structural collapse, particularly if the owner was aware or should have known about any foundation cracks or hazardous conditions.
Product Manufacturer: Often, construction site accidents are traced back to specific product defects. Examples are contaminants like asbestos or the collapse of a crane. In such instances, the product manufacturer may face legal liability for damages incurred.

You may need help proving liability against powerful and well-resourced construction companies, equipment manufacturers, and any other possible defendants involved in your construction accident. Personal Injury Legal Group has the experience to successfully handle your construction accident case. We are ready to help you analyze your accident and identify any and all liable parties.

Common Accidents that Occur on Construction Sites

Again, construction sites are very dangerous places, and there are many different types of accidents that can occur. The most common of these are as follows:

Falls: It is no surprise that falls are one of the most common types of accidents on construction sites. Construction site falls can range from a fall from the roof of a single-story home or can be far more serious, such as a fall from a scaffolding while working on a skyscraper. Regardless of the scenario, falls on construction sites can cause serious injuries. Some of the most common of these include head injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, and even paralysis.
Machinery accidents: The tools, machines, and equipment used on construction sites are very heavy and have the potential to cause very serious injuries. Negligent use of these tools can cause innocent bystanders to become injured, while defective or faulty equipment can cause serious harm to a construction worker. Crushed limbs are the most common type of injury caused by construction equipment, but these incidents always have the potential to be fatal.
Vehicle accidents: An accident involving a vehicle can be caused by negligent drivers, or they can malfunction can cause a crash. Vehicle accidents can cause harm to drivers, pedestrians, construction workers, and innocent bystanders.
Electrocutions: Almost all construction sites have electrical wiring on site, which means the risk of electrocution is high. When workers have to work with cranes and equipment near overhead wires, this increases the risk of electrocution.
Exposure to harmful substances: Chemical agents, asbestos, and smoke are just a few harmful substances often found on construction sites. When workers are continuously exposed to these, they can develop an occupational illness. In some cases, even just being exposed once is enough to cause serious injury.
Structural collapses: There are many different ways a structure could collapse on a construction site. Workers who are involved in a demolition project are at the most risk. Workers who dig trenches or tunnels may also be involved in an accident. When constructing new buildings, there are often weaknesses in the structure, which could also cause a collapse that traps workers inside.
Falling objects: Due to the fact that construction workers often work at a height, injuries from falling objects are very common. For example, one worker may be working at a higher level and drop a tool that falls onto someone working on a lower level.

The above are just a few of the most common types of construction accidents. Regardless of how you were hurt, our Los Angeles construction accident lawyer can help.

Determining Liability After a Construction Accident

As with any accident, it is usually very difficult to determine liability after an injury occurs on a construction site. One of the reasons determining liability is so difficult is that there are multiple parties who could be found at fault. The most common of these include:

The property owner: Under state law, property owners can be held liable for any injury that arises due to a lack of ordinary care or by willful acts. When property owners are aware of a hazard on a construction site, and they do not take the proper care to correct the condition, they can be held at least partly liable for an accident.
Contractors and subcontractors: There are many different people on construction sites. Many of them are contractors and subcontractors, and these individuals also have a duty of care to make sure they are adhering to safety requirements and acting reasonably to keep people safe.
Other employees: Other employees can also act negligently or carelessly, causing someone else to suffer harm. For example, an employee might use a piece of equipment in a negligent manner, causing someone else to become hurt.
Manufacturers: Just as there are many people on a construction site, there are also many products. Heavy machinery, tools, scaffolding, and vehicles are just a few of these. Any time one of these products is defective, it poses a risk to anyone using them or those around them. Manufacturers have a duty to make sure any product they manufacture is free of flaws and defects so people are kept safe. When they fail to do this, they can be held liable for an accident.

Workers’ Compensation Claims After a Construction Accident

Many construction accidents are covered under workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is mandatory for all employers in California, even if they only employ one worker. As such, any employee on a construction site is entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim if they are injured while on the job.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. This means that when filing a claim, you do not have to prove your employer or anyone else was at fault for the accident. You must only show that you were injured and that you were performing duties related to your employment at the time of the accident. The no-fault system means you can also still file a claim even if you were partly at fault for the accident that caused your injuries.

Unfortunately, workers’ compensation does have some limitations. One of these is that the only benefits available are your medical expenses and a portion of lost income. You cannot recover compensation for your pain and suffering and other non-economic losses as you can when filing a personal injury claim.

Filing a Third-Party Liability Claim After a Construction Accident

Workers’ compensation is the only way you can file a claim against your employer. However, if another person caused the accident and they are not connected to your employer, you may be able to file a third-party liability claim.

For example, if a contractor was driving their vehicle on the site and crashed into you, it may be possible to file a personal injury claim against them directly. Or, if you were using a piece of defective equipment and became hurt as a result, you could file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer.

Unlike when filing a workers’ compensation claim, you must prove the defendant was negligent when filing a personal injury claim. This is particularly difficult in construction accident cases. There are many different companies, people, and products on a construction site. Contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and property owners are just a few of these, and any one of them could be liable for a construction accident. At Personal Injury Legal Group, we can help determine who is liable for your accident and, therefore, responsible for paying damages.

The benefit of filing a personal injury claim over a workers’ compensation claim is that you can receive many different types of compensation. If you are successful with your third-party liability claim, you can claim your full lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

At Personal Injury Legal Group, our Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys Also Focus on the Following Practice Areas:

Paths to Construction Accident Compensation

Workers’ Compensation: Depending on the extent of your injuries, it may be appropriate to seek temporary or permanent disability benefits or medical benefits from your employer. If your injury occurred because of a third party who is unrelated to your employer, you may file a third-party liability personal injury suit in addition to pursuing Worker’s Compensation.

Personal Injury Litigation: Construction accidents often occur due to a combination of factors such as the use or misuse of equipment, the activities of a subcontractor, a manufacturer defect, and other outside conditions. When multiple factors cause a construction accident, action may be taken against all involved parties.

Whether your case resulted from a fall, getting hit by a heavy object, or another type of incident, an experienced and dedicated personal injury attorney with construction injury experience at Personal Injury Legal Group will aggressively pursue action against any and all liable parties.

PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS IS PRIORITY #1

Personal Injury Legal Group Attorneys are on your side and stand ready to protect your interests. No matter how complex your case may be, our team of experts will work hard to help you achieve the favorable settlement that you deserve.

We do everything possible to give you peace of mind, regain your health, and award you with a successful outcome. And, YOU NEVER PAY UNLESS WE WIN.

Personal Injury Legal Group has a strict policy—we offer free consultations with a qualified, and skillful personal injury attorney, and our services are provided on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay upfront fees. We are paid when we are successful in winning your case.

Experiencing a construction injury can be devastating. We want you to focus on your recovery while we focus on everything else related to your case so that you win the compensation that you deserve.

Personal Injury Legal Group headquarters are located in Los Angeles with additional offices throughout California. Since 1999, we have been serving clients nationwide, with a concentration in Southern California counties including Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Orange, San Diego, Kern, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial. We also serve Northern California counties of San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Sacramento, San Mateo, Solano, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Napa, Yolo, and Sonoma.

Contact Our Construction Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles Today

At Personal Injury Legal Group, our Los Angeles construction accident lawyers know the serious nature of injuries caused by these incidents. We also know how to help you obtain the fair compensation you deserve. Call us now at 310-388-4306 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions for Los Angeles Construction Accidents

What is considered a construction accident in Los Angeles?

A construction accident is any unexpected event that occurs on a construction site resulting in injuries or death.

What are the most common causes of construction accidents in Los Angeles?

Some of the most common causes of construction accidents include falls, being struck by objects, electrocution, and caught in-between accidents.

Who is responsible for ensuring safety on construction sites?

Both the employer and the site manager have a responsibility to ensure the safety of workers on construction sites.

What should I do if I am injured in a construction accident in Los Angeles?

If you are injured in a construction accident, seek medical attention immediately and report the accident to your employer or site manager.

What types of compensation can I receive if I am injured in a construction accident?

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Can I file a lawsuit if I am injured in a construction accident?

Yes, you may be able to file a lawsuit if you are injured in a construction accident in Los Angeles, particularly if the accident was caused by negligence.

What should I do if my loved one is killed in a construction accident?

If your loved one is killed in a construction accident in Los Angeles, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for your loss.

How can I prevent construction accident?

To prevent construction accidents, employers and site managers should provide workers with proper training, safety equipment, and clear communication about potential hazards on the job site.

What should I do if I witness a construction accident?

If you witness a construction accident immediately call 911 and report the incident to the site manager or supervisor.

Can I be fired for reporting a construction accident?

No, it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee for reporting a construction accident in Los Angeles.

Do I need a lawyer if I am injured in a construction accident?

It is advisable to consult with a lawyer if you are injured in a construction accident, particularly if you are considering filing a lawsuit or workers’ compensation claim.

Personal Injury Legal Group

11601 Wilshire Blvd 5th Floor, West Los Angeles, CA 90025

Phone: 310-388-4306

Share This Page: