If you were injured in a construction site accident, a construction accident lawyer in Los Angeles could help.
If you suffered a life-changing injury while working at a construction site in Los Angeles, it is your right to receive compensation for your injuries.
An attorney will work with you and navigate you through the legal process to ensure you are taken care of.
Strict safety regulations are designed to keep construction sites safe for workers and civilians alike.
But lax enforcement, failure to provide proper safety equipment, and careless employee conduct continue to contribute to many accidents every year.
Over 100,000 construction workers suffer injuries, and another 10,000 die annually. And many of these accidents are avoidable, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
At the Weinberg Law Offices, we understand workplace accidents and will connect you with a seasoned attorney who can determine what your case is worth.
We believe in working tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Common Accident Causes at California Construction Sites
Construction accidents are no joke, and construction site accidents have increased by 25% since 2011.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 4,764 fatal work injuries occurred on the job in 2020.
That’s an average of one worker’s death every 111 minutes. And 20% of those deaths happened to workers in the construction industry.
Construction accidents occur for a variety of reasons. The top OSHA infractions involved in construction accidents in 2020 include:
- Fall Protection Infractions,
- Scaffolding Infractions,
- Ladder Infractions, and
- Eye and Face Protection Infractions.
Now let’s take a look at the frequency of incidents that cause fatal accidents in descending order.
Frequency of Accident Types Resulting in Death
Slip and Falls
Falls, slips, and trips are the leading cause of work-related deaths in construction. They account for more than one in three (36.4%) of this industry’s total number of fatalities.
Most construction site falls result from uneven surfaces, improper mounting, and dismounting from equipment, improper ladders, or failing to use fall protection equipment.
Additionally, slips and trips are often caused by misplaced items or spills and leaks.
Struck-by Incidents
The rate of struck-by incidents follows the rate of falls at 15.4% of the industry’s total fatalities.
OSHA defines a struck-by incident as the impact between a person and an object or piece of equipment.
For example, a worker being hit by a machine or falling materials is considered a struck-by accident.
Electrocutions
Electrocutions account for 7.2% of fatalities, making them the third most common cause. Electrocution most often results in burns, but it can also lead to cardiac arrest and nerve damage.
OSHA regulations focus on covering requirements, proper design and use of electrical equipment, and using electrical protective devices and adequate insulation.
Caught-in-Between Incidents
At 5.4%, caught-in-between incidents are the fourth most common cause of construction-related deaths. These accidents occur when a worker becomes caught between two or more objects.
Examples include when a vehicle traps a person against a wall, a body part is pulled into a machine or materials collapse on someone.
Other Hazards
Other hazards include machinery accidents, ground collapses, explosions and demolitions, chemical spills, repetitive motion injuries, heatstroke and overexertion, and vehicle accidents in highway construction zones.
As you can see, construction site hazards are abundant.
Avoiding construction site injuries and other job site accidents caused by these hazards begins with ensuring a work culture that values safety first.
Injury Types Common to California Construction Sites
No matter how careful a worker or employer is, construction work is still one of the most dangerous professions. Using heavy machinery to construct large structures sets the stage for severe injuries and accidents.
Some of the most common construction site injuries include:
- Burns;
- Chemical exposure illnesses;
- Head injuries;
- Eye injury and vision damage;
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs);
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs);
- Neck and back injuries;
- Broken bones or fractures;
- Amputations;
- Contusions;
- Sprains and strains; and
- Cuts and lacerations.
Any injury, even a small one, can prove harmful to your future and overall health. A severe injury can also cause financial difficulty for you and your family, especially if you experience a permanent disability.
If you’ve been injured on a construction site, inform your employer and seek medical help immediately.
Los Angeles Construction Accident Injury Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation is the required first step to seeking financial assistance. Under California law, workers injured on the job can collect certain benefits under workers’ compensation regardless of fault.
Workers’ comp insurance provides five essential payments:
- Medical care—paid for by the employer for a worker recovering from an injury or illness caused by work;
- Temporary disability benefits—payments that cover lost wages from an injury that prevents an employee from doing their usual job while recovering;
- Permanent disability benefits—payments when an employee doesn’t wholly recover;
- Supplemental job displacement benefits—vouchers to help pay for retraining or skill enhancement when an employee doesn’t recover completely and can’t return to their previous job; and
- Death benefits—payments made to spouses, children, or other dependents if an employee dies from a job injury or illness.
Workers injured on the job should report any injuries to a supervisor right away.
Then, they should fill out and file a Workers’ Compensation claim form. Prompt reporting helps prevent problems and delays in receiving benefits.
If an employer isn’t notified of an employee’s injury within 30 days, the delay can prevent that employer from thoroughly investigating the injury.
For the employee, this can result in losing the right to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Unless an employer’s wrongful act caused a worker’s injury, California’s workers’ compensation system precludes injured workers from filing a lawsuit against an employer.
However, an injured worker may file a construction accident lawsuit against a third party in some instances.
For example, a worker that sustains injuries from a speeding vehicle that crashed into a highway construction site might be able to file a third-party claim against the negligent motorist.
A worker injured by a defective tool may also have a third-party claim against the toolmaker. This is true even after the worker obtains workers’ compensation benefits.
Weinberg Law Offices: Construction Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles
An unexpected construction injury can cause devastating and lasting damage.
If you need a construction accident attorney in Los Angeles, we can help you recoup the compensation you deserve.
Depending on the facts of your case, we can help you file a workers’ compensation claim or a construction site accident lawsuit.
Whatever your situation, we can help you recoup damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of earnings.
Our ultimate mission is to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Call the Weinberg Law Offices at (818) 697-1079 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation.