Irvine Construction Accident Attorney

According to research and statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), construction is one of the most dangerous industries. Workplace hazards on construction sites are responsible for thousands of injuries and fatalities every year and may cause harm to construction workers as well as bystanders passing near construction zones or drivers who traverse roadways under construction.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a construction site accident, you deserve the opportunity to seek the full amount of compensation you’re entitled to. Our construction accident lawyers can help you take action to obtain financial compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and more.

Why Hire An Irvine Construction Accident Lawyer From Bentley & More?

The Irvine construction accident attorneys at Bentley & More, LLP have experience handling complex litigation in a variety of practice areas. Construction accidents in Irvine and the surrounding areas may involve workers’ compensation issues, personal injury claims against negligent employers, product liability claims against defective product manufacturers, third-party claims, or a combination of those possibilities.

Plaintiffs in construction accident cases need reliable Irvine personal injury lawyers, and the Bentley & More LLP team wants Irvine construction accident victims to know their rights.

Common Construction Site Accidents in Irvine, California

The construction industry in Irvine, California, has experienced significant growth over the past few years, driven by the city’s strong economy, business-friendly environment, and growing population. Irvine, located in the heart of Orange County, has become a hub for various industries, including technology, healthcare, and education, fueling the demand for new commercial and residential developments. However, construction companies do not always take the safety precautions they should to prevent harm from coming to their workers. As a result, construction accident injuries are unfortunately commonplace. Some frequent risks of this type of employment include:

• Slips, trips, and falls: Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and other elevated surfaces are a leading cause of construction site accidents. Workers may fall due to poor safety equipment, lack of proper training, or negligence on the part of employers or coworkers.
• Equipment and machinery accidents: Heavy equipment and machinery, such as forklifts and bulldozers, pose significant risks to construction workers. Accidents can occur when equipment is operated improperly or when safety precautions are not followed.
• Electrocution: Exposed wiring, faulty electrical equipment, and power lines can lead to electrocution accidents on construction sites. Inadequate training or a lack of safety gear can contribute to these incidents.
• Falling objects and debris: Workers are at risk of being struck by falling objects or debris, such as tools, materials, or equipment. These accidents can result in serious injuries or fatalities. 
• Crane accidents: Cranes and lifts are just some of the equipment that might contribute to a serious injury at a construction site. However, they account for a large portion of fatal occupational injuries, and over 40% of all fatal accidents involving cranes occur in the construction industry. 

Common Construction Site Injuries

These accidents can cause a variety of injuries that may result in long-term complications, permanent disability, or even death. Some common construction accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur when a worker suffers a blow to the head, such as from a fall or being struck by an object. While many consider concussions to be relatively minor injuries, they can have long-term effects on cognitive and motor functions. More severe brain injury can result in paralysis, permanent disability, and other life-altering complications.
• Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can result from falls, equipment accidents, or being crushed by heavy objects. These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis and lifelong disabilities.
• Broken bones and fractures: Broken bones and fractures are common construction injuries, and can require surgery, rehabilitation, and extended time off work.
• Burns and electrocution: Electrocution accidents can cause severe burns, nerve damage, and even fatalities. Defective equipment can also contribute to these hazards, as can welding accidents when proper safety equipment is not utilized.
• Lacerations and soft tissue damage: Sharp objects and tools on construction sites can cause lacerations and puncture wounds. In some cases, these injuries can lead to infections or permanent scarring. Severe cases may require amputation or surgery to intervene.

Our California construction accident lawyers are keenly aware of the ways these injuries can profoundly affect you and your family’s well-being, not to mention finances. Your medical needs, now and in the future, are a worthy reason to seek help from a legal professional who can advocate for your rights.

Compensation Claims for Construction Workers

Workers’ compensation insurance exists to cover injured employees’ physical pain and lost wages after an accident. An injured worker should notify his or her employer immediately and request a worker’s compensation claim form. Employers are legally barred from taking adverse or punitive actions against employees who file for workers’ compensation benefits. This is “retaliation” in the legal world, and employers stand to incur significant legal penalties for retaliatory actions against employees.

Workers’ compensation claims are often straightforward. However, depending on the circumstances, your claim may involve various steps, and you may be entitled to more benefits than you originally considered. Our Irvine construction accident attorneys can help navigate the claims process and explore additional avenues of compensation for victims. A workers’ compensation claim may provide coverage for medical expenses and lost income after an accident, but will rarely cover the total cost of an injury.

Irvine Construction Accidents and Liability

If a dangerous workplace hazard causes an employee injury on a construction site, the employer could incur liability for the damages. The construction industry sets strict standards regarding safety and the precautions that companies and employees must adhere to. Employers must follow all applicable regulations and compliance guidelines and ensure hazards receive prompt attention. If an employer knew about a hazard but failed to take corrective action or adhere to preventative safety regulations in a timely fashion, an employee who suffers injury may file a personal injury claim against the employer.

Construction accident claims sometimes involve several sources of liability. Some construction site injuries happen due to third parties, such as drivers passing through construction sites. A construction company may also hire third-party contractors or subcontractors, who could also be held liable if they acted negligently in a way that contributed to your accident. In these situations, injured workers will need to file claims against those individuals for their negligence. When defective equipment or other products cause construction injuries, victims will need to file product liability claims against the manufacturers.

Compensation for a Construction Accident Claim

In any of these possible situations, plaintiffs can secure compensation, including:

• Medical expenses. Plaintiffs can sue for hospital bills, emergency transportation, prescription costs, rehabilitation fees, and any other expenses for medical care resulting from their injuries.
• Pain and suffering. Some injuries are incredibly painful, and the ordeal may cause trauma. Plaintiffs can secure compensation for mental suffering and physical pain experienced during and after a construction site accident.
• Lost income. While worker’s compensation benefits may cover some lost wages after an accident, an injury may leave a victim unable to work for an extended time, and worker’s compensation will not cover the entire time away from work. A construction lawyer can help you sue for the wages lost after an injury, as well as future earnings if an injury prohibits returning to work.

Your Legal Options After a Construction Site Accident

Depending on the circumstances of your injury, you may potentially have more than one option for seeking just compensation. An experienced construction accident attorney will be able to clarify what recourse is available to you in more detail. However, in general, there are a few types of actions available to injured workers.

Workers’ Compensation

Injured construction workers may be eligible for workers’ compensation, which can provide medical treatment and wage replacement. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may also be eligible for temporary disability benefits. Your lawyer can help ensure that you’re able to get the maximum compensation from these benefits and that you follow the protocol for doing so without missing any important deadlines or forms.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

If a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer or a subcontractor, is responsible for a construction site accident, injured workers may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. In some cases, more than one liable party may be found at fault for an accident, in which case, you may be eligible to recover compensation from multiple sources.

Wrongful Death Claims

In cases where a construction site accident results in a fatality, the surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death action against the responsible parties to recover compensation, including the expenses associated with your loved one’s passing.

Our Irvine Construction Accident Lawyers Can Help!

Injured Irvine construction workers and other victims in Irvine can contact the construction site accident attorneys at Bentley & More LLP for legal assistance after a construction site accident. Some of these accidents involve multiple defendants and can quickly escalate into complicated legal battles.

Our attorneys have the resources and training to handle the most complex construction injury claims in Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, and anywhere else in Orange County. Reach out to our team to schedule a case evaluation. Bentley and More’s California construction accident attorneys are prepared to help you consider your legal options and start planning your financial recovery. Contact us for a free consultation to find out what our legal team can do for you.

The construction accident attorneys at Bentley & More, LLP serve victims in Irvine, Anaheim, and Santa Ana, California.