Los Angeles Construction Accident Attorneys
Representing workers and visitors injured on California construction sites
Heavy machinery and hard physical labor make construction one of the most dangerous occupations in California. New roads, buildings, and new parks make Los Angeles a great place to live. Unfortunately, many building and road construction workers are injured on the job. Many construction workers don’t qualify for workers’ compensation because they’re not employees. Further, workers’ compensation does not pay for pain and suffering and only pays a portion of your lost wages.
If a third party is involved in the accident that caused your injuries, such as an outside vendor, another subcontractor, or a manufacturer of a dangerous product, you may be able to obtain other means of compensation. With the help of McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP’s experienced construction accident attorneys in Los Angeles, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our personal injury lawyers have secured millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, including a $10,000,000 million verdict for a construction worker who suffered a compound femur fracture that required multiple surgeries.
Quick Questions
- What are the most common causes of construction accidents?
- What types of construction work can cause injuries?
- What types of injuries are associated with construction accidents in Los Angeles?
- How does construction contribute to structural collapse?
- What is OSHA’s role in keeping California construction sites safe?
- Who can file a construction accident claim in Los Angeles?
- What damages can Los Angeles construction accident victims claim?
- Do you have a construction accident lawyer near me?
Request a Free Consultation Today
What are the most common causes of construction accidents?
Construction accidents occur in many ways. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), about 20% of all worker fatalities are construction workers, and the “Fatal Four” accidents – the ones that lead to the greatest number of construction worker deaths – are:
- Falls (39.2%)
- Struck by objects (8.2%)
- Electrocutions (7.3%)
- Caught-in/between (5.1%)
The other 40.2% were caused by other accidents and incidents.
Not all construction site accidents lead to fatalities, of course. Some of the biggest contributors to construction accident injuries include:
- Truck accidents and other vehicle accidents
- Equipment malfunctions
- Fires and explosions
- Getting caught in or between machinery
- Lack of safety equipment
- Lack of supervision and/or training
- Poor weather
What types of construction work can cause injuries?
There are all types of construction work throughout Los Angeles. Most construction work either involves:
- Roadwork – Widening roads, installing new roads, landscape work, installing sewers, and other roadwork.
- Buildings – Building new restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, hospitals, and many other office structures. Building work can also include adding new floors, tearing down buildings, installing sidewalks, and other building work.
The construction companies, architects, engineers, and contractors may be liable if they fail to comply with the local building codes, OSHA regulations, and industry safety standards. Road construction (work zone construction) also requires that those who are responsible for the construction take steps to safely direct traffic away from the construction site including using proper signage, lighting, traffic cones, and other precautions. Extra caution is required to ensure the workers at the site aren’t struck by speeding cars or trucks.
Building construction requires that those who are responsible warn pedestrians about the construction, designate where pedestrians can walk, and protect the workers who often work on unstable ground and high above the ground.
What types of injuries are associated with construction accidents in Los Angeles?
Construction site accidents can be avoided if the right precautions and safety measures are taken. Job crew members, subcontractors, foremen, developers, and construction contractors can all be susceptible to construction accidents. They need the proper training and education on all safety and health procedures.
Some severe injuries that can occur on a construction job site are:
- Burn injury
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic amputation/Loss of limbs and fingers
- Spinal cord injury
How does construction contribute to structural collapse?
Buildings in Los Angeles may suffer structural damage due to many causes, including design flaws, workmanship flaws, and engineering flaws. Construction companies need to anticipate all the uses of the building and all the natural forces that may impact the building, including wind, earthquakes, mudslides, heavy rain, and other natural forces. Structural damage can cause a poorly designed building to collapse, injuring or killing many people.
Construction companies, according to the US Department of Labor, need to consider the different ways a building might collapse, including where the debris is likely to land. There are many hazards that first responders will need to consider when a building collapses, include such as water main breaks, exposure to dangerous toxins, electrical wiring exposure, gas leaks, and many other dangers.
The owners and managers of the construction site may be liable if their failure to prioritize structural damage prevention causes anyone to be hurt, including residents, anyone near the building, and first responders.
What is OSHA’s role in keeping California construction sites safe?
OSHA inspects work sites looking for violations that could negatively impact worker safety, including:
- Improper safety precautions around the scaffolding
- Inadequate respiratory protections
- Electrical problems
- Machinery guarding
- Signage
OSHA also has numerous regulations and guidelines that construction companies should follow. These regulations and guidelines include the following. Failure to follow these guidelines and state and local building codes are indicators that construction companies were negligent.
- Hazard recognition. Falling objects, flying objects, swinging/slipping objects, and objects on the ground
- Accident prevention. Using protective gear, properly storing and handling hazardous materials, and taking work zone safety precautions.
- Equipment safety measures. Inspecting and safely handling all tools and equipment
- Building material awareness. Avoiding falling debris, elevator accidents, faulty stairs and walls, and floor or roof collapses
- Construction vehicle accident prevention. Avoiding hoisting accidents and forklift incidents, inspecting vehicles, ensuring proper movement of a vehicle, and using proper work zone signs.
Who can file a construction accident claim in Los Angeles?
Not everyone who is hurt on a construction site in Los Angeles is going to be eligible for workers’ compensation. Non-employees – such as day laborers, contractors, subcontractors, site visitors, passersby, vehicles, residents, and others – will need to file a personal injury claim in order to recoup damages.
In some cases, a third party may be liable for your injuries. For example, if you are critically injured because a defective bolt in a crane causes it to drop a load of materials on you (or any other defective machinery, equipment, or tools causes an injury), you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable under a product liability lawsuit. Even if you have accepted workers’ compensation, that does not prevent you from acting against third parties that might be liable for your injuries.
The laws surrounding construction accident injuries are complex and often require the guidance and advice of an experienced construction injury lawyer. McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP holds construction industry leaders and companies accountable for maintaining and implementing health and safety policies on the job site.
What damages can Los Angeles construction accident victims claim?
If you were involved in a construction accident, you may have suffered potentially life-altering injuries, and your medical expenses may continue for the remainder of your life.
With our construction accident lawyers by your side, you may be able to recover the following current and future damages from those who caused your injury:
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Past, present, and future lost wages
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of function
- Loss of consortium of a spouse or registered domestic partner
- Property damage
Do you have a construction accident lawyer near me?
We meet personal injury clients at our Los Angeles office located at 10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400.
Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers also meet construction accident clients away from the office when necessary – including home visits, hospital visits, and online video chats.
Our attorneys are strong advocates for construction accident victims who have suffered catastrophic and serious injuries.
Contact our experienced construction accident attorneys in Los Angeles now
Since 1993, the LA construction injury attorneys at McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP have been assisting clients and their loved ones who have been hurt, seriously injured, or killed in a construction job-related accident throughout California. We work aggressively to pursue your claim so that you can receive the maximum compensation you deserve. If you or someone you know has been in a construction job accident that resulted in a catastrophic injury or wrongful death due to negligence or intentional or unintentional harm, please call us or fill out our contact form.