San Diego Construction Accident Lawyer
SAN DIEGO CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Every San Diegan wants to feel that they are protected at work from safety and harm. If you are a construction worker, you should expect to be able to work in a safe environment where protocols and precautions are put in place. You should have the proper safety gear, and all clear hazards should be flagged or handled. However, sometimes, despite precautions, accidents can happen at work.
If you are dealing with an illness or injury as a result of your work as a construction worker, it is critical to get in touch with a construction accident attorney who can help you with your case. At Diefer Law Group, P.C., our injury lawyers have years of experience handling cases similar to yours to help construction workers get the compensation they need for any injuries they may have sustained on-site or as a result of the job.
Our injury attorneys can also handle complex construction injury cases, such as those that result in wrongful death. If you are unsure whether your case is eligible for a compensation claim, you should consider speaking with a San Diego construction accident attorney from our firm. We are experienced with handling cases across multiple construction sites in the area, and we can apply our injury law knowledge to get to the bottom of your San Diego, CA case.
COMMON CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS IN SAN DIEGO
Construction sites can be dangerous places if the right precautions are not taken into account. The types of accidents will vary depending on the type of construction site a person is working at. However, in general, there are some commonly occurring accidents, such as:
- Caught-between accidents. In caught-between accidents, a construction worker gets stuck or pinned in between parts of machinery or various structures and cannot move from it. This can result in crushed bones, leading to complex surgeries and even amputations.
- Falls. A construction accident that occurs quite often is when a construction worker falls down a long distance. People can slip and fall off of rooftops, ladders, and scaffolding structures.
- Struck-by accidents. In a struck-by accident, an object that is uncontrollably falling hits a construction worker. The object can be raw materials or tools for construction, part of a structure being demolished, or large machinery. These accidents are more serious when the worker is struck on the head.
- Electrocution accidents. When a construction worker interacts in an unsafe manner with loose wiring or high-voltage equipment that is not properly grounded, they can experience electric shocks. These shocks can lead to other accidents, such as falls, due to a loss of control of the body.
- Collapses of caves and holes. In the case that a construction worker is working on an underground project in San Diego, such as digging tunnels or trenches, they can be at risk of the site collapsing. As a result, they can get stuck in the site and sustain serious injuries, including death.
- Explosions or eruptions of fire. Often, when a site has flammable materials or gas that can leak, and the conditions are dry and hot, this can lead to a sudden explosion or fire. Such accidents can lead to burns, severe respiratory issues, and other injuries.
- Accidents related to toxic matter. At many construction sites, there are certain substances that can cause serious harm to workers, such as asbestos, chemicals, and smoke. This can result in long-term illnesses associated with the lungs, in addition to other diseases.
- Slipping or tripping. When surfaces are not adequately flat or dry, or there are random objects located in a path, a construction worker can trip or slip. This can result in back injuries, broken bones, sprains, and other issues.
- Accidents from over-exerting. If a construction worker is lifting or moving an object that is too heavy or beyond their physical capacity to move, they can experience an overexertion injury. This means that they can get a strain, hernia, or even throw their back out.
- Heavy machinery or vehicular accidents. When construction workers are operating large-scale machinery such as bulldozers, forklifts, or trucks, this can lead to serious accidents.
While it is impossible to completely avoid a construction injury, as the job can be inherently hazardous, the chances of injury can be mitigated by following protocol, taking certain precautions, and ensuring that your employer is taking the right steps to keep you and your coworkers safe. Injuries as a result of an accident can have physical and mental, as well as long-lasting financial consequences.
HOW TO AVOID CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS IN SAN DIEGO
There are certain precautions that construction workers and their employers can take to decrease the risk of having a San Diego construction accident. The following measures can be followed in order to lower the risk of having an accident at a San Diego construction site:
- Get adequate training. In order to make sure that everyone attending and working at the construction site is safe, they should undergo proper training. This means that they should be instructed on what gear to wear, what to do in the case of an emergency, such as a fire, and how to carry out construction processes safely. Training should not only be given at onboarding; it should be given regularly and updated based on changing regulations and feedback from participants.
- Make sure that safety regulations are being followed. As a worker on a construction site, it can be helpful to be roughly familiar with local, state, and national laws regarding construction regulations in order to protect yourself. If you are unsure about how these regulations can potentially apply to you, it is recommended to speak with a construction accident lawyer to get more information.
- Attend meetings regarding construction safety. As an employee in the field of construction, it is important to be on time to company safety meetings and briefings and to actively participate. If your employee is not holding these regular meetings, you should encourage them to do so in order to mitigate risk in the long run.
- Always use personal protective equipment, or PPE. Even if you are unsure about whether you should use PPE, you should always wear it in case of doubt. Do not start work without wearing proper gear, such as glasses, vests, hard shoes, headgear, and more. Based on the task you are doing, your required gear will change.
- Communicate clearly with your boss and team members. In order to stay updated on new safety protocols, potential hazards around the construction site, and other important news, you should keep a constant line of communication with your advisor and coworkers.
During your time at work, your number one goal should be to stay safe and protect yourself. Unfortunately, even by taking all of the necessary precautionary steps, you can fall victim to injury due to an accident at your construction site. A San Diego construction accident attorney can help you get the workers’ compensation benefits that you deserve.
Construction Accident Lawyer FAQS:
Q: If I Have Been Injured Working at My Construction Site, How Long Do I Have to Sue?
A: In the state of California, if you want to sue for being injured on the job at a construction site, you typically have up to two years after the day you were hurt. Speaking with a construction injury attorney about your case can help you understand your timeline and the particular steps you can take to get the justice you deserve based on your case.
Q: Do Contractors Get Workers’ Comp in California?
A: If you are an independent contractor in California, you will likely be required to have your own insurance coverage. However, in the case that you are not independent and are hired by a general contractor or subcontractor, they must cover you for workers’ compensation, regardless of whether the injury was your fault or not.
Q: My Employer Does Not Have Workers’ Comp Insurance; What Should I Do?
A: If you have been injured as a result of your construction work in California, and your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, this is a serious violation of the law.
Under the California Labor Code, you have a right to workers’ compensation benefits. A construction injury lawyer can help you if you are in this situation.
Q: Is It Possible to Sue My Boss if I Have Been Injured During My California Construction Work?
A: California has a particular workers’ compensation system, which requires employers to have workers’ compensation insurance in the case that their employees are injured on the job. This means that while employees are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, they cannot usually sue for injury unless their boss hurt them on purpose, a third party was liable, and some other exceptions apply.
DON’T WAIT: GET THE SAN DIEGO REPRESENTATION YOU NEED TODAY
If you are a construction worker who has been hurt on the job in San Diego, time is of the essence. After your accident happens, you must report the incident as soon as possible in order to start the workers’ compensation claims process, as well as other administrative processes. Having a San Diego construction accident lawyer to represent you throughout this time will allow you to rest easy, knowing that the benefits you are entitled to will be optimized. Contact our team at Diefer Law Group, P.C., today to get started.
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