Working in construction is risky no matter how big or small the project may be. But everyone has the right to expect that the area around them is free from foreseeable hazards. If that trust is broken and a construction worker or bystander is injured, the aftermath can be devastating.
Construction accidents often result in some of the most traumatic injuries. Some people never completely heal. Others may face intense rehabilitation on the path to recovery. The physical and emotional pain takes a toll, especially when accompanied by a growing pile of costly medical bills.
The skilled construction accident attorneys at Demas Law Group, P.C. understand how stressful life becomes after a jobsite injury. We investigate construction accident claims carefully to make sure that the responsible parties are held accountable if negligence caused the injuries.
Our Sacramento attorneys have 25 years of experience representing injured people throughout Northern California. Our firm’s commitment to our clients is clear:
- 99 percent success rate. Our seasoned lawyers have secured top-dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.
- A VIP philosophy. At our law firm, you are not just a name on a file. Our attorneys combine empathetic legal services with zealous representation, both during settlement negotiations and at trial.
- “No win, no fee” guarantee. We don’t collect a penny unless we obtain compensation for you.
- Justice must be done. We fight so our clients can be fully and fairly compensated for what they have lost due to someone else’s recklessness.
We can be your advocate and ally. Arrange a free consultation with a construction injury attorney today to find out about your legal options.
What Are the Most Common Construction Injuries?
Labor statistics about construction injuries highlight just how perilous the occupation can be. Roughly 150,000 people are injured on work sites annually. In a single recent year, construction accidents killed more than 5,000 and injured at least 30,000 workers and supervisors. That makes construction one of the most dangerous industries in America.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), which investigates workplace accidents, has identified the “Fatal Four” most common causes of construction injuries today. They are:
- Falls & Trips
- Being struck by an object
- Electrocution
- Getting caught in or between objects
The bodily damage resulting from these types of accidents can range from relatively minor to life-altering. The most common examples of construction injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Cuts
- Muscle strains/tears
- Head injuries
- Paralysis from spinal cord trauma
- Neck & back injuries
- Burns
- Amputation
- Hearing loss
- Eye injuries
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Heat stroke from overexertion
- Death
OSHA estimates 631 lives could be saved every year if the Fatal Four could be eliminated from construction sites.
How Do Construction Accidents Happen?
Construction sites are full of potential dangers. Heavy equipment, machinery, tools and hazardous materials can inflict serious harm if they are mishandled or malfunction. Construction zones are also very busy. Disaster can strike if there is inadequate oversight or even minor safety violations.
Common causes of construction accidents include:
- Scaffolding, wall or trench collapses
- Falls from elevated surfaces (ladders, aerial lifts or cranes, for example)
- Slips on unstable or uneven surfaces
- Falling debris
- Explosions and fires
- Electrical accidents
- Wall collapses
- Machinery accidents
- Product defects
- Vehicle crashes
- Overexertion
- Respiratory illnesses
- Safety violations
- Negligent maintenance
It’s important to report your injuries to your employer immediately or as soon as symptoms emerge. In California, every employer is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to pay for your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. However, construction accident claims are not always simple when it comes to identifying liability.
It’s also smart to contact an attorney to begin an immediate investigation of your claim. Construction sites change rapidly as work progresses. Valuable evidence could be lost without quick action to preserve it.
What a Construction Injury Lawyer Can Do for You
A construction injury case can be complicated. Filing for workers’ compensation benefits may be a simpler route to take to obtain medical care. But it may not be the best one. Workers’ comp benefits do not always compensate an injured worker for all of their losses. A construction employee may stand a better chance of obtaining full compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit against a third party. That all depends on the circumstances of the case. A qualified construction accident attorney can help you figure out if it might be an option in yours.
In a construction accident case, third-party liability means that someone other than your employer is responsible for the accident that injured you. A construction zone is full of moving parts. Several parties, all with different supervisors, could be working on a project at the same time. Finding out whether negligence caused your accident ― and then whose negligence it was — will determine if you are eligible to file a third-party claim.
Possible third-party defendants could be:
- Contractors
- Independent contractors
- Property owners
- Developers
- Designers
- Property owners
- Product manufacturers
- Vehicle drivers
- City, state or other government entities
The Sacramento attorneys at Demas Law Group will:
- Scrutinize every aspect of your case. We will figure out exactly who is responsible for your accident and obtain the evidence to prove it.
- Fight for the damages you deserve. It’s virtually guaranteed that the first settlement offer that you get will be too low. We won’t let your construction injury claim be minimized. We will calculate the full amount of your damages by accounting for all of your physical, financial and emotional losses.
- Dispute unfair claims of fault. Sometimes defendants try to avoid liability by claiming that you were responsible for your accident. Even if that’s partly true, California law still allows you to collect partial compensation. That is determined by the percentage of fault assigned to you by the court. Our construction accident lawyers will fight to ensure that your degree of fault is not overstated so that you are fairly compensated.
- Support you every step of the way. Our job is to ensure that you get the money you need to rebuild your life. We work hard to make sure the legal process is as stress-free as possible for our clients so that they can focus on moving forward.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Sacramento Construction Accident Attorneys Now
Life after a construction injury is hard. It shouldn’t be made worse because you aren’t compensated fairly from your employer or a third party. Contact us today to get started on your case. The claim review is free and comes with no strings attached.
