Los Angeles & Anaheim Construction Accident Attorneys

Construction worker guiding team

Construction accidents are common in California, frequently causing serious injuries. Injured workers are typically covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance; however, there are other legal remedies available when a construction accident is the result of safety violations or third-party negligence. If you or a loved one were injured in a construction accident, turn to J&Y Law. We have represented construction accident clients all over California, from Los Angeles to Anaheim, and so many more.

Because workers’ compensation benefits do not cover pain and suffering and similar intangible losses, it is crucial to have the aggressive representation we provide. It takes an experienced construction accident attorney to achieve a significant settlement or jury award. When you become our client, we will fight to help you obtain just compensation. Please contact our office today so we can get to work on your construction accident claim. 

The “Fatal Four” Construction Accidents

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the leading causes of construction site fatalities, the so-called “Fatal Four,” are:

  • Falls are the most common accident at construction sites in California, accounting for roughly 38 percent of construction fatalities. Workers are at high risk of falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, cross beams, and other heights. 
  • Struck-by-object accidents occur when improperly secured tools, equipment or other construction material falls, striking workers below. These accidents are responsible for more than 9 percent of fatalities.
  • Caught-in/between accidents occur when construction workers get caught in or trapped between equipment, machinery or objects, or under collapsing structures. Caught-in/between accidents cause more than 7 percent of construction worker fatalities. 
  • Electrocutions are common because construction workers are frequently exposed to wires. Over 8 percent of deaths in the construction industry are the result of electrocutions.

In addition to the Fatal Four, construction workers in California can be injured in the following types of accidents:

  • Brazing/welding is an important function at most construction sites, however, welding accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and long-term complications.
  • Collapses often occur when workers are required to dig trenches, which can cave-in if proper precautions are not taken. Improperly supported structures can also collapse, trapping workers beneath the rubble. 
  • Fires and explosions can be caused by all types of hazards — exposed wiring, leaking pipes, flammable chemicals, fractured gas mains, unattended blow torches and welding tools.
  • Hand and power tools, such as saws, nail guns, drills, polishers, sanders, and spray guns can cause injuries when workers are not properly trained.
  • Heavy equipment and machinery (e.g. cranes, forklifts, dumpsters) contribute to numerous construction accidents and injuries.

Regardless of the type of construction accident you were involved in, the best way to obtain the maximum compensation you need and deserve is to work with an aggressive construction accident attorney. 

Common Injuries Sustained From Construction Accidents

The most common construction-related injuries in California include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) —  Despite the fact that OSHA rules require the use of hard hats at construction sites, workers can suffer TBIs from falls, falling tools and material, and defective equipment. 
  • Spinal cord injuries —  Falls from heights at construction sites — scaffolds, roofs, beams — are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries; struck-by accidents involving heavy equipment and machinery can also cause spinal cord injuries.
  • Fractures/crush injuries — Slips and falls, heavy equipment accidents, falling objects, and trench collapses can cause broken bones or crush injuries, which involve trauma to the bone, muscles, nerves, and tissue.
  • Burn injuries — Because construction workers are frequently exposed to live wires, open sources of flame, and volatile fumes, they are at a high risk of electrical, thermal, and chemical burns that can cause damage to the skin, subcutaneous tissue, nerves, fat, muscle, and bone.

Other common construction injuries include:

  • Back, neck and shoulder injuries
  • Knee injuries
  • Muscle and ligament tears
  • Repetitive motion injuries
  • Heart attacks and strokes

Finally, construction workers are frequently exposed to hazardous chemicals and substances which can result in a variety of occupational illnesses, particularly respiratory ailments, blood disorders, cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. 

Who is liable in a California construction accident?

Construction accidents and injuries can be prevented if safety practices are put in place, workers are provided with protective equipment (e.g. hard hats, safety belts, harnesses, nets), and proper safety protocols are followed. 

Workers’ compensation is designed to protect injured workers by providing benefits such as lost wages and medical costs. When a construction accident is the result of negligence, however, an injured worker may be able to pursue a civil lawsuit against any number of parties, including: 

  • Owners
  • Supervisors
  • General contractors
  • Subcontractors
  • Engineers
  • Architects
  • Machinery and equipment manufacturers

If a loved one has been killed in a construction accident, surviving family members can obtain justice through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Contact Our Dedicated California Construction Accident Attorney

At J&Y Law, we have well-earned reputations as dedicated advocates of injured construction workers. If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident, we will provide you with the informed representation you need and the dependable service you deserve. Because we understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges facing you, your initial consultation will be free, and you will not pay any attorneys’ fees until we win compensation for you. Please contact our office today to speak with an experienced construction accident attorney.