Irvine Construction Accident Lawyer
IRVINE CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Irvine is a beautiful city and cultural hub that many Californians and Americans flock to for working and living. As a result, many construction projects are constantly underway to make places for newcomers and to update existing infrastructure. New projects underway can provide exciting opportunities for construction workers in and around the Irvine community. However, if proper safety precautions are not followed, this can lead to accidents on-site.
If you are a construction worker in Irvine who has been the victim of an accident while on the job, you may be seeking workers’ compensation for your personal injury. A construction accident attorney from Diefer Law Group, P.C., can support you with their experience and knowledge in the construction injury field to help you optimize your case outcome. Our accident attorneys have experience working with a variety of cases, from minor injury to wrongful death.
COMMON INJURIES OCCURRING FROM IRVINE, CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS
Injuries sustained while working on construction sites in Irvine can vary based on the type of accident that occurred and the work that was being carried out. There are, however, certain injuries that are commonly seen in the area, including:
- Illnesses brought on from heat overexposure. Because the climate of Irvine can get hot in the summer months, this can lead to a greater risk of illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. If these diseases are not adequately handled, they can lead to a risk of death.
- Respiratory diseases. Depending on the nature of the construction being carried out, there can sometimes be unsafe particulates in the air, or fumes and exhaust, that can lead to the immediate or long-term development of serious respiratory diseases, such as asthma or lung cancer.
- Strains and sprains. Because construction work requires a lot of lifting and moving of heavy objects and machinery, and these actions are carried out repetitively, this can lead to sprains and strains, as well as additional musculoskeletal injuries.
- Spinal injuries. Unfortunately, spinal injuries can occur as a result of construction accidents, such as falls from ladders and platforms and the collapsing of trenches and tunnels.
- Head injuries. Head injuries, such as concussions and brain damage, can occur as a result of falling objects, such as tools and construction equipment, as well as vehicular accidents.
- Burns. Electrocutions from faulty equipment or open wiring can lead to severe burns. Also, fires that break out due to dry Irvine weather conditions or flammable materials not properly stored on-site can lead to significant burns of workers.
- Mental conditions. Traumatic events that happen at work, such as assault from someone on the job or accidents such as explosions or trench collapses, can have long-lasting implications for mental health. This can lead to PTSD, severe anxiety, or depression.
Although the issues mentioned above are typically the most common that occur on construction sites in Irvine, there are many other types of injuries that can occur due to accidents at construction sites. If you have experienced an injury while working at a construction site in Irvine, CA there are steps you can take to act immediately and ensure that you can submit a claim for workers’ compensation.
CALIFORNIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
In California, most workers, including construction workers, are protected by the law in the case that they get hurt on the job. This means that employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance in the case that one or more of their employees get hurt or get sick on the job. Submitting a claim for workers’ compensation is initiated by the worker notifying the employer of their injury.
Workers are typically entitled to this compensation, whether they were at fault for the accident or not. This compensation covers multiple financial aspects related to the injury or illness of the employee. First off, if they have any lost wages from not being able to work in the short or long term, they will get a part of this covered. Additionally, any medical costs that they had to pay for their injury or illness, including hospital bills or physical rehabilitation, will be covered.
Also, if the construction worker is disabled as a result of their injury or illness and can no longer work in manual construction labor, the compensation can cover training so that they can gain skills to work in a new job. Lastly, if the construction worker is disabled in the long term and not able to work another job as a result, they can be covered for long-term disability compensation.
PERSONAL INJURY LAWSUITS FOR IRVINE, CA CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
Usually, when a construction worker is injured on the job, they submit a claim for workers’ compensation, which can be applied for whether or not the worker was at fault. However, in some cases, in addition to or instead of workers’ compensation, a construction worker may decide to file a personal injury lawsuit.
A personal injury lawsuit can be pursued in the case that the construction worker can prove that they were hurt as a result of negligence or intentional harm from another party. This other party could be, for example, a manufacturer of faulty construction equipment that harmed the worker as a result of an otherwise avoidable malfunction. It could also be, for example, a property owner who did not ensure that the premises were safe before a worker slipped and fell on unsafe terrain.
Overall, if a third party, such as the equipment manufacturer or property owner mentioned above, is responsible for an unsafe or unsecured workplace, then they can be sued in a personal injury lawsuit. By suing, the construction worker who was ill or harmed can get financial compensation for suffering and other damages, as well as medical bills and lost income. Typically, it is not possible to sue an employer directly in California.
If you are unsure about whether you should pursue workers’ compensation, a personal injury lawsuit, or both, it is advisable to contact an Irvine construction accident attorney. They can look at the details of your case, determine who the responsible parties and conditions were, and help you come up with a plan that will optimize your post-accident compensation.
Construction Accident Lawyer FAQS:
Q: Will My Irvine, CA, Workers’ Comp Claim Cost Me a Lot of Money?
A: If you are a worker who has been injured or fallen sick due to your job, you will likely need to submit a worker’s compensation claim. California law designed workers’ compensation so that workers will not have costs associated with work-related accidents. The workers’ compensation claim process should not cost you any money. Any money paid out of pocket for medical expenses associated with your injury or illness should be reimbursed by your employer’s insurance.Q: How Much Money Will I Get in California Workers’ Comp?
A: The compensation you get from workers’ comp will depend on the seriousness of your injury or illness, including whether it results in short- or long-term disability, how much money you were making before at your job, and other complex considerations. Any medical costs should be covered — but this is not money going into your pocket. However, temporary and long-term disability payments can be made based on your previous wages and the impairment rating of your disability.Q: How Do I Know if I Can File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?
A: If you are a construction worker who has gotten hurt or sick on the job, it can be difficult to know whether you are able to file a personal injury lawsuit. Usually, in California, you cannot sue your direct employer, but you are entitled to workers’ compensation. However, if a third party, such as a subcontractor or property owner, neglected their duties or intentionally left conditions unsafe, and it resulted in your injury, then you can bring forward a lawsuit against them.Q: How Can I Submit A Workers’ Compensation Claim in Irvine, CA?
A: The process for submitting a workers’ compensation claim in Irvine is the same as in other places in California. As soon as you get hurt or fall ill, you will need to notify your employer about what happened and keep hard evidence of the injury, including pictures of the accident, medical records, and a list of people who were there. Your employer then has one working day to get the claim forms for you to fill out. They will then submit them to their insurance company to initiate the claims process.GET COMPENSATION FOR YOUR IRVINE, CA CONSTRUCTION INJURY
Getting into an accident at work is unfortunately all too common at construction sites in Irvine, CA. It can be difficult mentally and physically to experience an accident, as well as overall frustrating, since you may have to take time off from work. A construction injury lawyer from Diefer Law Group, P.C., can help protect you if you are in such a situation.
At Diefer Law Group, P.C., our lawyers have years of experience fighting for workers to help them get the compensation they need to move on from their accident and continue to thrive both within and without the workplace. Contact our dedicated team today to learn more about your rights as a construction worker in California and how you can rewrite the wrongs done to you at work.
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