Justice On Every Job Site
Construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in California. Construction workers know the risks, which is why many safety measures are used on and around construction sites. Still, accidents happen, and workers are injured on construction sites all too often.
Construction accidents can involve several people or companies. This can make it hard to know who is responsible. If you were hurt in or around a construction site, a Bakersfield construction accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and your legal options.
If you’ve been injured on a construction site, don’t wait to protect your rights. Call DJC Law at (512) 888-9999 for a free consultation with a Bakersfield construction accident attorney who will fight for your compensation. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Common Causes of Construction Site Accidents
All construction workers have the right to work in a safe environment, but accidents still happen. Some of the most common causes of construction accidents include:
- Falls: Falls are one of the leading causes of serious construction injuries. Workers may fall from ladders, roofs, scaffolding, and other high places.
- Electrocutions: Construction workers often work on incomplete buildings. This can expose them to live wires, faulty connections, and other electrical hazards.
- Falling objects: Construction workers often work on multiple levels. If a worker drops a tool or another item, someone below can suffer serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, even when wearing a hard hat.
- Equipment accidents: Cranes, dumpsters, nail guns, and forklifts are serious pieces of equipment. They can cause severe injuries, especially when they are defective or poorly maintained.
- Building collapses: Construction structures are not always stable. A collapse can cause severe injuries or death.
- Fires and explosions: Flammable chemicals, exposed wiring, and leaking pipes can cause fires or explosions with catastrophic results.
These are some of the most serious injuries a person could sustain on a construction site. A construction accident attorney in Bakersfield can help victims seek the compensation they need.
OSHA Violations and Companies Skirting Safety Rules
Construction sites are heavily regulated for a reason. Unsafe practices can have devastating results. Unfortunately, some companies try to cut corners by ignoring OSHA regulations or local safety codes to save time or money.
Missing hard hats, unstable scaffolding, blocked emergency exits, faulty harnesses, and poorly maintained equipment are just a few examples of safety violations. These unsafe practices can put workers and the public at serious risk.
A knowledgeable Bakersfield construction accident lawyer can investigate whether safety violations contributed to your injuries. OSHA reports, inspection records, and witness statements can help show that a company failed to follow safety rules.
By finding these violations, your attorney can strengthen your case and help you seek fair compensation. Cutting corners on safety can have serious legal consequences.
Call one of our knowledgeable construction accident lawyers today if you believe your company’s negligence resulted in injury.
Evidence That Disappears Quickly on Job Sites
One of the biggest challenges in construction accident cases is how quickly important evidence can disappear. Construction sites are always changing. Equipment may be moved, damaged materials may be repaired or thrown away, and dangerous conditions may be changed within hours or days.
Without fast action, evidence showing what caused the accident may no longer exist. A construction accident lawyer can act quickly to preserve this evidence.
Important documents can also disappear or change. Safety logs may be updated, incident reports may be incomplete, and witnesses may move to other job sites. Surveillance footage and internal records may also be overwritten within days.
A construction accident lawyer can work quickly to secure video evidence, request official records, and obtain witness statements before they are lost. This can help create a stronger case.
When Regular People Are Injured in Construction Zones
Construction accidents don’t only affect workers. Pedestrians, drivers, and other bystanders can also suffer serious injuries in construction areas.
Uneven pavement, debris, unsecured equipment, and poorly marked work zones can create dangerous conditions for anyone nearby. If you were injured in or around a construction area, a Bakersfield construction accident lawyer can help determine who may be responsible.
Even if you were not working at the site, you may still have a legal claim against negligent parties. These may include construction companies, property owners, or government entities responsible for keeping public areas safe.
It is important to act quickly, document the scene, and seek legal guidance to protect your rights.
Multiple Parties Can Be Responsible
Construction accidents often involve more than one responsible party. In addition to the main construction company, liability may extend to:
- Subcontractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- Property owners
- Safety inspectors
- Other companies working on the site
Determining every responsible party is important when seeking compensation.
An experienced Bakersfield construction accident lawyer can investigate each possible source of negligence, gather evidence, and work to hold every liable party accountable. This is especially important when an injury involves overlapping responsibilities between employers, contractors, and third-party vendors.
Seek Medical Care and Document Everything
After a construction accident, even minor injuries should be taken seriously. Pain or discomfort that seems minor at first can become a long-term problem if it is not treated.
Visiting a doctor or emergency room promptly helps make sure your injuries are properly evaluated and treated. It also creates medical records that can support your legal claim.
Keep records of every medical visit, diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription. Detailed records help show the extent of your injuries and the care you need.
Photos of your injuries, copies of medical bills, and notes about your symptoms can also help support your case. A Bakersfield construction accident attorney can help organize this information and make sure important evidence is not overlooked.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims After a Construction Accident
After a construction site injury, many workers assume workers’ compensation is their only option. Workers’ compensation can provide important benefits, but you may have additional legal options depending on how the accident happened.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system for workplace injuries. It can help pay for medical treatment and a portion of lost wages. However, it generally does not provide damages for pain and suffering.
A construction accident lawyer can review your case to determine whether you may have a separate claim against a third party.
A personal injury claim may be available when someone other than your employer contributed to the accident. This could include:
- A subcontractor
- An equipment manufacturer
- A property owner
- A negligent driver
- Another company working at the site
A third-party personal injury claim may allow you to seek damages for pain and suffering, future medical care, lost earning ability, and other losses that workers’ compensation does not cover.
A construction accident lawyer can investigate whether more than one party contributed to your injuries.
Workers’ compensation and a third-party injury claim may also be pursued at the same time when the facts support both claims. For example, a worker may receive workers’ compensation benefits through their employer while also pursuing a claim against another negligent company or contractor.
A construction accident lawyer can help coordinate these claims, meet deadlines, preserve evidence, and identify all available sources of compensation.
Compassionate, Veteran-Led Legal Support Is Here to Help
At DJC Law, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that construction accidents can take. As a veteran-led law firm, we approach every case with compassion, integrity, and a strong commitment to protecting our clients’ rights.
We treat every client like family. Our team can guide you through the legal process while standing firm against negligent parties.
A construction accident attorney in Bakersfield has the experience needed to investigate your case, identify responsible parties, and pursue the compensation you need.
If you or a loved one has been hurt, call DJC Law today at (512) 888-9999 for a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.
