Los Angeles Construction Accident Lawyer
Construction sites can be very dangerous not only to the people working on the site but also to people visiting the site or walking by. Construction accidents can result in a variety of severe and sometimes permanent disabilities such as
- loss of a limbs,
- partial or complete blindness,
- nerve damage and paralysis,
- traumatic head injuries,
- broken or fractured bones,
- amputations, and even
- wrongful death.
You Have Been Injured in a Construction Accident in Los Angeles?
If you have been injured in a construction accident in Los Angeles, your rights depend upon whether you were a bystander or a worker at the site. When you are injured as a bystander, normal personal injury law applies and the parties at fault are responsible for paying for your damages. The situation is more complex if you are an employee at the construction site. Other factors are involved in worker cases such as specific legal requirements for claims against employers and workers compensation law. Skilled and experienced legal representation is vital so that construction accident injured workers get the compensation that the law entitles them to receive.
Types Of Construction Accidents Occur On a Site
Construction is one of the most dangerous occupation sectors in the country. It is consistently in the top of the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists for most fatalities and injuries. One out of six worker fatalities occurs in construction. There is a wide array of construction accidents that can occur on a construction site. Some of these include:
- Heavy equipment malfunctions
- Nail gun accidents
- Scaffold accidents/Falls
- Explosions
- Highway construction accidents
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Open pits and trenches
- Fires
- Bystander accidents
Injured Worker Under The California Workers’ Compensation Act?
Most construction workers are aware that should they suffer injury on the job, they can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. This is one source of compensation available to the injured worker under the California Workers’ Compensation Act. An employee is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits even if they were partially or completely at fault for their injuries at work. Medical treatment can be extremely expensive, not to mention the loss of wages due to the disability or injury. Yet workers’ compensation often does not sufficiently cover the damages suffered by the worker. And except for very specific circumstances, an injured employee cannot sue their employer for negligence. In these construction accident cases the injured worker should consider pursuing a case for damages against any liable third party.
In a third-party suit, the worker can recover damages in the form of lost wages, impairment of earning capacity, medical costs, future medical costs, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. However, the burden of these cases is that the negligence of the third party must be proven by the injured individual. Third-party claims can result in substantially greater compensation than what an injured worker receives through workers’ compensation. It is not always easy to determine who is responsible for a construction accident. A construction project typically involves many different companies, people, and products. Property owners, multiple contractors and subcontractors, architects and engineers all bear a responsibility for providing a safe work environment at a construction site. Equipment manufacturers and suppliers also have a duty to supply safe equipment and materials.
Determine Liability of Your Los Angeles Construction Accident Lawyer
When trying to determine liability your Los Angeles construction accident lawyer must have an understanding of all relevant federal, state, and OSHA laws and regulations governing construction sites. An investigation should be initiated as soon as possible. The site should be quarantined from the public to preserve all potential evidence. It is critical that the site is investigated before anything can be moved or changed by other workers or the weather. At times, it has even been necessary to obtain court orders to preserve the evidence. In addition, it is important to get statements from any possible witnesses and identify all the contractors, subcontractors, and even the material suppliers. Right after contacting an Los Angeles construction accident attorney, it is very helpful to contact OSHA as well as local authorities.
Surveyors, engineers and builders alike traverse construction sites day after day, with dangers lurking at every turn. These individuals follow safety standards and laws that protect their livelihoods each day.
At Custodio & Dubey, LLP, our experienced construction accident attorneys in Los Angeles, CA understand that one negligent move can cost our clients their well-being. Our Los Angeles construction accident lawyers have represented individuals who work in the construction industry, and those who were injured visiting sites, or simply walking by. We work hard to ensure our clients – no matter how they were injured – have access to the best settlement possible, so they can receive the best care available while maintaining their lifestyle while out of work.
The Dangers of Construction Sites
The overall misfortune of being involved in a construction accident does not happen by chance. As one of the most dangerous occupational sectors in the nation, construction work lies at the top of the Bureau of Labor Statistics list for most injuries and fatalities.
Some of these dangers can include:
- Heavy equipment malfunctions
- Nail gun accidents
- Scaffold accidents, falls from heights
- Explosions
- Highway and roadways accidents
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Falling objects
- Open pits and trenches
- Fires
- Bystander accidents
The personal injury law applies differently to those who are hurt while at work, and those who are injured as passers-by or standing. Our seasoned Los Angeles personal injury attorney team will help guide you through the legal process, seeking damages from each avenue available for your injurious situation.
Construction Accident Injuries
Depending on the origin of the accident, some injuries can lead to time away from work, which means lost wages and unexpected medical bills. The severity of your injury will determine the case ahead’s timeline and settlement expectation level.
In our experience, some of the most common construction accident injuries include:
- Traumatic Head injuries
- Neck and spine injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Partial or complete blindness
- Nerve damage and paralysis
- Broken or fractured bones
- Amputations
- Burns
- Respiratory problems
- Wrongful death
If you are a construction worker and injured during the course of doing your job, the California Workers’ Compensation Act entitles you to full or partial benefits, depending on the severity of your injury. We can help you make a case against your employer to ensure the Act is being upheld in full on your behalf.
Third Party Construction Accident Cases
If you are not employed in the construction industry but are injured as a result of the work being conducted, we can help you recover by targeting the party responsible for your injuries.
Construction undertakings around Los Angeles typically have multiple entities working on the same project, which may make it difficult to understand who is responsible for you injuries. Our Los Angeles construction accident attorneys will investigate where and how it occurred, and who is responsible for any of the following losses you have incurred as a result, including:
- Lost wages
- Impairment in earning capacity
- Medical costs and treatment
- Future medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
Third-party claims allow more legal freedom and often deliver notably higher financial settlements than employees will receive through Workers’ Compensation. At Custodio & Dubey, LLP our exceptional Los Angeles construction accident attorney team has a full understanding of all relevant federal, state, and OSHA laws and regulations governing construction sites, and will use our knowledge for your financial gain.
Investigating the Injury Site
If you are injured in a construction accident, the investigation should begin right away, to ensure the proper parties are held accountable for the negligence that led to your suffering.
As your construction accident attorney group, we will:
- Investigate the site fully
- Preserve evidence through images and video
- Conduct interviews with witnesses
- Obtain court orders to follow data and evidence collection procedures
- Contact government officials, including OSHA for safety filings
Responsible Parties
Depending on the site, and the injuries incurred as a result, one or more company may be responsible for contributing to your financial recovery, including:
- Contractors
- Subcontractors
- Architects
- Engineers
- Material suppliers
- Municipal entities
- Safety crews
We will explore the site fully to understand who is responsible, and how we can proceed with our case against them. Supplying our clients with optimal results has been our goal for 25 combined years in construction accident injury cases. We can help you get the settlement you deserve, too.
Call Today for a Free Consultation
At Custodio & Dubey, LLP, our skill, and experience with construction accidents is unparalleled and our knowledge and relationships with insurance carriers enable us to pursue the maximum compensation for our clients efficiently and effectively. Call us today (213) 593-9095 to schedule your free consultation. Our construction accident attorneys in Los Angeles, CA are available 24/7 to help you discover the settlement you are entitled to as the result of your injuries without delay.
Hire! Los Angeles Construction Accidents Attorneys at Custodio & Dubey, LLP
The Los Angeles construction accident lawyers at Custodio & Dubey, LLP have been helping those seriously injured in construction site accidents for over ten years. Their skill and experience with construction accidents is unparalleled and their knowledge and relationships with insurance carriers enables them to pursue the maximum compensation for their clients efficiently and effectively. Call them toll free at (213) 593-9095 for a free consultation of your case, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week. You can also fill out our online consultation form and a Los Angeles construction accident attorney will contact you as soon as possible.