Los Angeles County Construction Accident Lawyer

Los Angeles County is always expanding, with a large number of construction projects underway on a daily basis. While we all realize that this amount of development is necessary and desired in our great county, it also increases the probability of injury to construction workers as well as bystanders and passersby. With the indisputable dangers involved on construction sites, the construction injury catalogues one of the highest rates of injury and death in the United States.

“The Fatal Four”

Out of the over 4,400 workers across the country that were killed on the job in 2013, 856 of those were killed in construction site accidents. Nearly 4 percent of all construction workers have been forced to take time off from work or have had job restrictions imposed because of job related injuries. Figures from OSHA confirmed that in 2012, the construction industry was responsible for a troublesome one out of every five worker fatalities.

OSHA’s “fatal four” leading causes of deaths on construction sites: falls, being struck by an object, electrocution or being stuck in between two objects.

The Problem With Workers’ Compensation

It is very likely that we all know someone who has received worker’s compensation benefits at one time in their life. Unfortunately, the small percentage of the injured person’s salary that Worker’s Compensation Insurance are willing to pay to compensate you for lost time at work, medical bills and other compensation is simply not sufficient.

If you have been injured at work on a construction site, your employment status as well as the extent to which your employer is responsible for your injuries will determine the outcome of your case. You will want the knowledge and experience of a savvy construction accident attorney at the Law Offices of Brent. A. Duque on your side to ensure that you receive the medical care and monetary benefits you are entitled to. If your injury is likely to keep you from working permanently, your lawyer can advise you about filing for Social Security disability benefits as well.

Third Party Liability

A construction worker who was injured on a job site might be eligible to recover further compensation in addition to Workers’ Compensation. For example, let us imagine that an electrician working for 123 Electrician Contractors was on a ladder working. Signs and warnings were posted in the electrician’s work area, but the ladder was hit by a van driven by ABC Contractors when the driver was distracted by his phone. He never saw the warnings, the ladder or the electrician. As a result of the fall, the electrician suffers a permanent injury.

Because ABC is a distinctly separate business entity, California law permits the electrician to bring a personal injury lawsuit against ABC and its driver at the same time he pursues his workers’ compensation claim. That’s called third party liability. Damages in the third party liability personal injury lawsuit aren’t limited like those in a workers’ compensation claim. While seeking damages in the lawsuit, the injured worker can also collect workers’ compensation benefits for purposes of paying medical bills and keeping their household and family going.

Others Get Injured Too

A passing motorist, bystander or pedestrian may also face the possibility of injury or death around a construction site. A falling tool or piece of construction material can easily strike a passerby. A motorist, using all necessary due care and caution while driving around the site, can be hit by a truck or by a heavy equipment operator. While these people are independent of anybody working on the construction project, they are still permitted to file a personal injury lawsuit against any companies and employees on the site that they believe were responsible for their injuries.

At the Los Angeles County Law Offices of Brent A. Duque, we maintain a staff of a highly professional, knowledgeable, aggressive and successful construction site accident attorneys who represent injured people through our offices that stretch across Southern California. Strict time limitations apply to any injury claim you might have, so for purposes of investigating a possible case and possibly preserving evidence, it’s best for you to contact us immediately after an accident. Contact the Los Angeles County law office of Brent A. Duque at 877-241-9554 for a free consultation and case evaluation. You can even use our online contact form, and we’ll reply to you quickly.