Workers are frequently injured in San Jose construction accidents that are covered by Worker’s Compensation Insurance. When construction injuries are caused by safety violations or third-party negligence, however, it may be possible for the victim to file a lawsuit. That’s the time to call an experienced personal injury attorney.
J&Y Law is a premier personal injury law firm serving clients in San Jose and throughout the State of California. Our construction accident attorneys have the knowledge and skill to fight for your rights inside or outside of the courtroom. Through the years, we have recovered millions of dollars for injured construction workers in settlement awards and jury verdicts. When you become our client, you can take comfort in knowing that we will never stop fighting for you.
The Dangers of Construction Work- San Jose Construction Accident
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the leading causes of construction site fatalities are:
- Falls — construction workers in San Jose frequently fall from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, and other high places. OSHA reports that falls are the most common construction accident, accounting for nearly 38 percent of fatalities.
- Struck by objects — tools, equipment, and construction material that is not properly secured can fall, striking those who are working below. Such accidents cause more than 9 percent of fatalities on construction sites.
- Caught-in/between — construction workers can easily get caught in or compressed by equipment, machinery, or objects, as well as trapped under collapsing structures. Caught-in/between accidents cause more than 7 percent of construction worker fatalities.
- Electrocutions — exposed to wires often place construction workers in danger of electrocution, which accounts for over 8 percent of deaths in the construction industry.
While OSHA refers to these accidents as the “Fatal Four,” other common construction accidents in San Jose include:
- Trench Collapses — construction workers typically dig and fill trenches that can easily cause cave-ins if proper safety measures are not taken.
- Fires and Explosions — exposed wiring, leaking pipes, flammable chemicals, fractured gas mains, unattended blow torches, and welding tools often cause fires and explosions, resulting in devastating injuries and fatalities.
- Equipment Accidents — heavy machinery such as cranes and forklifts, power tools (e.g. table saws, nail guns, drills), and other equipment injure numerous construction workers in San Jose each year.
Common Worksite Injuries
Construction workers in San Jose can sustain all types of injuries — back injuries, neck injuries, head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, shoulder injuries, knee injuries, muscle and ligament tears, fractures, heart attacks, and strokes. Serious injuries may result in the amputation of fingers, toes, or limbs. Additionally, construction workers are at a higher risk of respiratory illnesses when they are exposed to dust, asbestos, and other toxic substances.
How can construction injuries be prevented?
In spite of the fact that construction workers typically perform all types of dangerous tasks, the risk of injuries can be reduced if required safety practices and protocols are followed. Above all, construction workers should be provided with, and use, hard hats, safety belts, harnesses, and nets.
If a construction accident in San Jose is due to the negligence of another party — owners, general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects, machinery and equipment manufacturers, as well as insurers — a construction worker can also obtain meaningful compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. If a construction accident results in a fatality, surviving family members can also pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
Damages You Can Recover After a San Jose Construction Accident
If your claim is successful, you are entitled to compensation which includes economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages will cover actual financial losses — lost wages, medical expenses, and loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are designed to compensate you for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and similar losses. In the event a loved one has been killed in a construction accident, surviving family members can obtain justice through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact Our San Jose Construction Accident Attorney Today
J&Y Law has decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured construction workers in San Jose. Our experienced attorneys are well-versed in the applicable negligence, insurance, and labor laws and can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Although negligent parties — site owners, contractors, architects, engineers — and their insurance companies typically attempt to avoid liability, we will leverage our skills and resources to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
We are keenly aware that being injured in a construction accident is devastating for workers unable to return to the job for an extended period of time. This can be an overwhelming emotional and financial burden. Seriously injured workers may never go back to construction work — or any type of work for that matter. With so much at stake, it is critically important to have aggressive legal representation. Contact J&Y today to speak with one of our attorneys. We offer free consultations and you will not pay any attorneys’ fees until we win your case.