Construction Accident Lawyer Oxnard, CA

What to Do After a Construction Accident

If you’ve been injured on a construction site, taking the right steps after the accident can protect your legal rights and improve your chances of securing compensation. Here’s what we recommend:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to get checked by a doctor to prevent complications.
2. Report the Accident: Notify your employer or supervisor of the accident as soon as possible. This creates a record of the incident, which will be important for both your workers’ compensation and any personal injury claims.
3. Document the Scene: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any unsafe conditions that contributed to the accident. Gather contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened.
4. Contact CILG: Reach out to us as soon as possible for a free consultation. We’ll guide you through the workers’ compensation process, investigate the accident, and determine if you have grounds for a personal injury claim.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Oxnard

Construction sites are rife with potential hazards, and accidents can happen for many reasons. Some of the most common causes of construction accidents in Oxnard include:

• Falls from Heights: Falls are one of the leading causes of construction site injuries. Whether it’s a fall from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs, these accidents can result in serious injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, or traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
• Falling Objects: Tools, materials, or equipment falling from heights can cause severe injuries to workers below. Even with hard hats, workers are at risk of head and neck injuries from falling objects.
• Electrocution: Construction sites often involve exposed wires, power lines, or faulty electrical equipment. Electrocution is a major risk, especially for electricians and other workers dealing with electrical systems.
• Machinery Accidents: Heavy machinery like cranes, forklifts, or bulldozers can cause accidents when not operated correctly. Malfunctioning equipment can also lead to crushing injuries, amputations, or fatalities.
• Slip and Falls: Uneven surfaces, debris, and slippery areas are common on construction sites, leading to slip-and-fall accidents that can cause sprains, fractures, or head injuries.
• Caught-in or Between Accidents: These accidents occur when a worker is caught between machinery, equipment, or other materials. These incidents can result in severe crush injuries, amputations, or even death.

Our personal injury attorney will thoroughly investigate the cause of your construction accident to determine how it happened and who is responsible. Our team works with specialists in construction safety to gather the evidence needed to build a strong case for you.

Determining Liability

Construction accident cases can be complicated because multiple parties may be responsible for the unsafe conditions that led to your injury. Determining liability is crucial to recovering compensation, and our firm leaves no stone unturned when it comes to identifying all responsible parties. Depending on the circumstances of your case, the following parties may be held liable:

• General Contractors and Subcontractors: General contractors and subcontractors are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment on the job site. If they fail to follow safety regulations, properly train workers, or provide the necessary equipment, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries.
• Property Owners: In some cases, the property owner may be held responsible for unsafe conditions on the site, especially if they failed to warn workers or address known hazards.
• Equipment Manufacturers: If defective machinery or tools caused your accident, the manufacturer of the equipment may be held liable for producing and selling a dangerous product.
• Third-Party Contractors: On large construction sites, multiple contractors often work alongside one another. If another contractor’s negligence caused your injury, they may be held accountable through a third-party claim.

We thoroughly review all aspects of your case to identify every party that may have contributed to your accident. Our goal is to hold each responsible party accountable so that you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims

If you’ve been injured on a construction site, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t have to prove negligence to receive benefits. These benefits typically cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. However, workers’ compensation may not fully cover all of your losses, such as pain and suffering or the full extent of lost wages.

That’s where a personal injury claim comes in. In some cases, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party, such as a subcontractor or equipment manufacturer, in addition to your workers’ compensation claim. A personal injury claim allows you to seek compensation for damages not covered by workers’ compensation, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the full amount of lost wages.

Our construction accident attorney will guide you through the workers’ compensation process and explore any additional avenues for compensation in a personal injury claim. We’ll make sure that you’re not leaving money on the table and that all of your losses are accounted for.

Common Construction Accident Injuries

Construction accidents often result in severe injuries that can have long-lasting effects on your health and ability to work. Some of the most common injuries we see in construction accident cases include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A blow to the head from a fall, falling object, or machinery accident can result in a traumatic brain injury. TBIs can cause long-term cognitive and physical impairments, impacting your ability to work and live independently.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Falls, machinery accidents, or being crushed by heavy objects can lead to spinal cord injuries, which may result in paralysis or loss of mobility.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Falls and being struck by heavy objects can cause fractures or broken bones, often requiring surgery and rehabilitation to heal properly.
• Burns and Electrocutions: Construction sites pose a high risk of burns and electrocution due to exposed electrical wires, faulty equipment, or fires. These injuries can be life-threatening and may require extensive medical treatment.
• Amputations: Machinery accidents, such as being caught in equipment, can lead to amputations, significantly altering a worker’s life and ability to earn a living.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries can occur from slips, trips, and falls on construction sites. While these injuries may seem less severe, they can still cause long-term pain and require physical therapy.

We understand how serious these injuries can be and the impact they have on your life. We’re committed to fighting for the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you’ve endured.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

When you’ve been injured in a construction accident, the financial and emotional toll can be overwhelming. At CILG, we fight to secure maximum compensation for our clients, covering all aspects of your losses. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: This includes both immediate medical costs, such as hospital bills and surgeries, and any future medical treatment you may need, such as physical therapy or long-term care.
• Lost Wages: If your injury has caused you to miss work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income. This also includes compensation for future lost wages if your injury affects your ability to work long-term.
• Pain and Suffering: Construction accidents often result in significant physical pain and emotional distress. We’ll fight to ensure you’re compensated for the pain and suffering you’ve endured.
• Disability and Reduced Earning Capacity: If your injuries have caused a permanent disability or limited your ability to work in the future, we’ll seek compensation to account for your reduced earning capacity.

Our attorney takes a comprehensive approach to calculating your damages so that you’re compensated for both the immediate and long-term effects of your injuries.

Oxnard Construction Accident Infographic

Oxnard Construction Accident Statistics

According to statistics provided by the National Safety Council (NSC), there are more than 4,500 preventable work-related deaths each year in the United States. The construction industry has the highest number of fatalities, with approximately 1,000 workers killed annually, followed by transportation and warehousing at about 950 deaths.

Hundreds of thousands of workers survive their injuries but are often left with permanent disabilities. California law allows victims to pursue legal action against liable parties to recover damages for the losses their injuries have caused them to suffer. If you have been injured on the job, call our office to speak with our Oxnard construction accident lawyer.

Oxnard Construction Accident FAQs

What should I do immediately after a construction accident in Oxnard?

First, seek medical attention, even if your injuries don’t seem serious. Report the accident to your employer or supervisor right away, and document the scene if possible by taking photos and gathering witness information. Then, contact our firm. We’ll guide you through the process and make sure your legal rights are protected.

Who can be held responsible for my construction accident?

Liability in construction accidents can be complicated. Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, or even third-party contractors. Our legal team will thoroughly investigate your case to identify everyone responsible and hold them accountable for your injuries.

What kind of compensation can I recover after a construction accident?

You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and reduced earning capacity if your injury prevents you from working in the future. Our lawyer fights to get the full compensation that reflects the true impact of your injuries, both now and in the long term.

Can I file both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit?

Yes, in some cases. Workers’ compensation will cover your medical bills and part of your lost wages, but you may also have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer or subcontractor. This can help you recover damages not covered by workers’ comp, like pain and suffering. Our legal team will help you through both processes to maximize your recovery.

How long do I have to file a claim after a construction accident?

In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is typically two years from the date of the accident. However, workers’ compensation claims have their own deadlines, so it’s important to act quickly. We’ll make sure your claim is filed on time to protect your right to compensation.

What if I was injured by defective equipment at a construction site?

If your injury was caused by defective machinery or equipment, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor. This is a separate legal action from a workers’ compensation claim. Our lawyer will investigate the defective equipment and hold the manufacturer responsible for any unsafe products that contributed to your injuries.

Cohen Injury Law Group, Oxnard Construction Accident attorney

300 E Esplanade Dr, Oxnard, CA 93036

Contact Our Oxnard Construction Accident Lawyer Today

We understand how overwhelming a construction accident can be, both physically and financially. We’re here to help you navigate the legal process, handle the insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life. With years of experience handling construction accident cases in Oxnard, we have the knowledge and resources to take on your case. If you have been hurt on a work site, contact our Oxnard construction accident lawyer at Cohen Injury Law Group today. We offer free consultations and are prepared build a legal strategy that aims to recover all of your damages while protecting your rights.