Personal injury claims when an accident results from third-party negligence

A single construction project might require the involvement of several contractors. Even on a smaller job where there is just one contractor, a failure of a third party, such as an equipment operator or materials provider, could lead to a serious injury. Under California’s workers’ compensation system, claimants who are hurt on the job do not have to prove fault on anyone’s part to collect reimbursement for medical benefits and partial replacement of lost wages. Conversely, workers’ comp prevents victims from suing their employer or co-workers in a personal injury claim.

However, if a third party was liable for your construction accident, you can file a lawsuit seeking damages that go beyond the workers’ compensation benefits you receive. Potential defendants could include a different contractor at your site, a motorist who hit you while driving for work or the company that made faulty materials that caused your accident. Our firm offers comprehensive legal representation for workplace injury victims so they can obtain the full payment they are entitled to.

Frequent causes of serious construction site accidents

OSHA breaks down the types of incidents that lead to severe injuries and deaths on construction sites, referring to the most common as the “Fatal Four.” These are:

Falls from heights and due to unsafe walking surfaces
Strikes from objects that are dropped and equipment that is not operated correctly
Electrocutions from live wires and other power sources
“Caught in between” incidents, where a laborer is pressed against a heavy object
There are many other ways that a construction worker can get hurt as well, such as by working too hard in hot conditions or carrying a load that is too heavy.

Contact a California construction site accident lawyer to set up a free consultation 

The Law Offices of Valdez & Valdez, A Professional Corporation seeks appropriate payment for Californians hurt in construction site accidents. For a free consultation regarding relief in a workers’ compensation and/or personal injury case, please call 559-486-4070 or contact us online. We are located in Fresno and have a Grover Beach office to serve clients in San Luis Obispo County.

Making a false or fraudulent workers' compensation claim is a felony subject to up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by both imprisonment and fine.