Losing a loved one is always heartbreaking. If they passed away because of a construction accident, you probably have a lot of questions. Working in construction isn’t easy, but employers have a responsibility to make sure the job site is as safe as possible for employees and visitors.
When accidents happen, surviving family members may be entitled to benefits or have a path for seeking compensation through a lawsuit. Our construction accident death lawyers in Encino can help you understand what happened and potentially hold those responsible accountable.
Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys has recovered millions of dollars in awards and settlements for California accident victims and their families. Call today to schedule your free consultation and learn how our construction accident lawyers in Encino can assist you.
How Our Legal Team Can Help
Seeking compensation for the death of a loved one usually means dealing with one or more insurance companies. While insurers are supposed to be there to help families get through such a difficult situation, they often seem more concerned about their bottom lines.
Insurance companies may offer lowball settlements that are far less than your family deserves. They may delay your claim with excessive document requests or engage in bad-faith practices to avoid paying. They might even look for ways to blame the accident on your loved one.
This is the last thing you need to deal with while you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. Our Encino personal injury lawyers can take the legal burden from your shoulders and help you through this tough time. Some of the things we can do to assist with your case include:
- Investigate the Accident: We’ll investigate what happened so we understand who was responsible and how to seek the compensation or benefits your family deserves.
- Assess Damages and Compensation: Our team will calculate the full extent of your loved one’s damages, as well as the financial and emotional impact their loss has had on family members.
- File and Manage Claims: We’ll handle all communication with insurance companies, file claims, collect supporting documents, and make sure your case stays on the right track.
- Negotiate With Insurers: We often negotiate with the insurer to arrive at a fair settlement that fully covers your family’s hardships without going to court.
- Represent You in Court: Our team will represent you in civil court or hearings when insurers refuse to respond to negotiations.
Legal Claims After a Construction Accident Death
The type of claim you can file will depend on the circumstances of the accident. In some situations, you can file more than one claim or lawsuit. Our construction accident death attorneys in Encino will seek every avenue of compensation available.
Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits
If your loved one was an employee at a construction site, your family may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits. These typically cover funeral and burial costs, as well as financial support for family members who relied on the decedent’s income.
Wrongful Death Claim
Except in rare cases, you can’t sue an employer for the death of an employee in California. However, if a third party played a role in the accident, close family members or the deceased’s legal representative can file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages.
Premises Liability Claim
If your loved one was not an employee, you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit under premises liability laws. Property owners and managers, including those responsible for construction sites, have a duty to keep their premises safe for visitors.
OSHA’s Construction Focus Four
According to OSHA, four types of accidents most commonly cause construction fatalities. OSHA outlines specific safety measures and offers training for employers to mitigate the risk of these accidents.
Our Encino construction accident death lawyers will investigate to determine if the site owner took the proper steps. OSHA’s Construction Focus Four are:
- Falls: Workers may fall from roofs, ladders, or scaffolds due to unstable surfaces or a lack of fall protection
- Struck–by Object: Workers may be hit by falling tools, swinging loads, moving vehicles, or flying debris.
- Electrocutions: Contact with overhead power lines, live circuits, or defective electrical tools can cause deadly shocks or burns.
- Caught–in/Between: Workers can be crushed or trapped between moving equipment, collapsing trenches, or materials.
Talk to Our Construction Accident Death Attorneys in Encino
When a worker passes away as a result of a construction accident, surviving family members have options. They can receive death benefits through workers’ compensation insurance. Or, if a third party caused the death, the family may file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Both of those situations usually mean dealing with insurance companies that may try to reduce or deny your claims. Our construction accident death attorneys in Encino will hold the appropriate party accountable and get the financial help your family deserves.
Our legal team at Omega Law Group has decades of experience between us. We put our clients first, always, and we are here to guide you through this unimaginably painful situation.
Call today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help with your construction accident death case.