Construction Accident Attorney

In the United States, over 5,000 workers lose their lives on the job each year, and accidents on building sites are to blame for one in five of those fatalities. Shockingly, even though construction workers only represent four to six percent of the workforce, they suffer 21 percent of employment fatalities.

Construction injury statistics are equally eye-popping. Dismally, incident rates are 71 percent higher than all other industries combined.

If you’ve been injured on the job or a family member lost their life in a worksite mishap, consult with a construction accident attorney. Understandably, it can be challenging to think about legal issues during a time of loss or suffering.

However, waiting may be a huge mistake. Don’t delay. Filing claims quickly is ideal. Waiting gives responsible parties time to cover their tracks and build effective defenses.

Remember, most businesses, developers, and manufacturers have in-house legal teams whose sole purpose is to protect corporate interests — and the second someone is injured or killed on the job, they leap into action. You should do the same.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents

Construction accidents run the gamut, but there are four types that consistently pop up:

• Slips and falls
• Object collisions
• Caught between objects
• Electrocutions

They’re known as the “fatal four,” and they factor into 60 percent of workplace accidents. However, the fatal four aren’t the only causes of construction accidents. Our workplace injury practice has helped individuals who’ve suffered job-site injuries on account of:

• Poor safety precautions and oversight;
• Harness, crane, and hoist accidents;
• Insufficient training
• Improper equipment maintenance
• Gas and mechanical hazards
• Scaffolding malfunction
• Toxic exposure
• Explosions and fires
• Defective equipment

OSHA: The Government’s Workplace Safety Czars

If you move forward with a construction accident legal claim, OSHA may play a role.

OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and it’s the federal agency under the Department of Labor that governs workplace safety regulations and processes related legal claims.

OSHA’s stated mission is to “assure safe and healthy working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.”

Many straightforward construction accident lawsuits don’t need to pass through OSHA. However, if the case involves whistleblowing retaliation related to a workplace safety issue or a regulatory matter, OSHA usually steps in. Frequently, workplace injury claimants in Orange County will enlist a construction accident lawyer to interface with OSHA when necessary.

Keep in mind that employers cannot fire, demote, or retaliate against employees who file OSHA complaints. If that has happened to you, get in touch with a workplace law attorney immediately.

Types of Construction Accident Claims

Folks who contact our firm about construction accidents frequently ask, “What can I sue for?”

The answer depends on the situational facts, but there is a core set of claims that most job-site accident plaintiffs pursue.

• Personal Injury: Personal injury lawsuits are fairly straightforward. The plaintiff must prove that the named defendants’ negligence caused an accident. Employers and third-party vendors are typically sued in personal injury cases.
• Product Liability: As the name suggests, product liability lawsuits involve products. In the case of construction accidents, that can be anything from defective gear to malfunctioning machines. Manufacturers, wholesalers, and other vendors on the product distribution chain can be listed as defendants in product liability cases.
• Wrongful Death: When workers die in workplace accidents, their families may be able to file wrongful death claims.

Construction Accident Liability

Who is responsible for a construction accident? It depends on the facts of the case. In some situations, injured workers and surviving family members may sue the builder and any manufacturers responsible for product defects.

If you signed a waiver before taking the job, it might contain clauses about forced mediation. It may also include language that absolves parties of liability. To uncover the fine print, consult with a construction accident lawyer.

But don’t give up hope if the contract includes clauses that at first seem unfavorable to your situation. There are ways to invalidate contracts, so speak with an attorney before throwing in the towel.

What to Do After a Construction Accident

What should you do if injured at a construction site?

• Even if the injury is minor, report it to the appropriate supervisor or designated HR contact.
• Complete and submit the employee section of a Worker’s Compensation claim form. If you mail it in, send it certified mail and get a tracking number.
• Get medical care; keep every scrap of paper and receipt.
• Connect with a construction accident lawyer.

Report all accidents, big and small. An injury that may seem like nothing can mushroom into a major problem.

Connect with a Construction Accident Attorney in Irvine

If you were injured on a construction site and want to explore your options, get in touch with Kubota & Craig construction accident attorneys in Irvine, CA. We’ll assess your situation and lay out the available legal tactics in detail. Our firm offers free consultations, so let’s talk soon. Don’t wait too long after the incident to pursue action.

Our workplace injury team has helped countless clients in Irvine, Orange County, and throughout California secure the settlements they deserve. Reach out today to learn more about your legal options.