Construction sites can be dangerous environments, especially when safety rules aren’t followed. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a job site accident involving heavy machinery, scaffolding, or other factors, you deserve compassionate and strong legal advocacy from a construction accident lawyer in San Diego.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we believe in putting our clients first. Always. Since 2016, we’ve helped injured workers and their families pursue financial recovery after serious construction-related accidents.
You can count on a San Diego personal injury lawyer from our team to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.
Types of Construction Accident Claims We Can Handle in San Diego
Construction workers face hazards every day. If you or your family member has been injured in a construction accident, you need a skilled attorney who has won cases like yours before.
Our construction accident lawyers in San Diego have extensive experience filing claims for injured workers and are closely familiar with all the common causes of construction accidents.
We’ve won millions of dollars for injury victims and are committed to fighting for maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. We’ll thoroughly investigate the accident and gather valuable evidence for your case. You can count on us to get the damages you need if you’ve been hurt in any of the following job site incidents in San Diego:
- Falls from ladders or scaffolding
- Struck by falling tools or materials
- Collapses
- Structural failures
- Electrocutions
- Equipment malfunctions
- Caught-between accidents
These are just a few examples of the types of incidents we’ve seen in past cases. No matter how serious your accident was or how catastrophic your injuries are, we’re here to help.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents in San Diego
Construction work in San Diego comes with its own set of risks. The region’s mix of high-rise commercial projects downtown, ongoing residential development, road and highway work, and coastal builds means workers are exposed to a wide range of hazards every day.
Some of the main causes of construction accidents that we see include:
- Falls from heights. Falls from height are the most common accidents in construction. Scaffolding, ladders, rooftops, and elevated platforms are involved in a large share of serious job site injuries, especially on the multi-story commercial and hotel projects common throughout the county.
- Falling objects. Tools, building materials, and debris dropped from above can strike workers below, particularly on crowded urban sites where crews work at multiple levels.
- Unsafe or defective equipment. Cranes, forklifts, nail guns, saws, and other machinery can cause devastating injuries when they malfunction or aren’t properly maintained.
- Electrocutions. Contact with live wires, exposed power lines, and faulty wiring remains one of the leading causes of construction fatalities.
- Trench and structure collapses. Excavation work and partially built structures can give way without warning when proper shoring and inspections are skipped.
- Inadequate safety measures. Missing guardrails, absent fall protection, poor training, and rushed timelines put workers in harm’s way.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Construction Accident?
One of the things that makes construction accident claims different from a typical injury case is that more than one party is often responsible.
A busy job site can involve a property owner, a general contractor, several subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, and outside vendors, all working in the same space at the same time.
When someone gets hurt, figuring out who’s at fault takes a careful investigation. Depending on how your accident happened, one or more of the following parties may be liable for your injuries:
- General contractors and subcontractors who failed to maintain a safe work environment or enforce safety standards.
- Property or site owners who knew about a hazard and did nothing to fix it.
- Equipment manufacturers who produced or sold defective machinery, tools, or safety gear.
- Engineers or architects whose design errors contributed to a collapse or structural failure.
- Other third parties, such as delivery drivers or maintenance companies, whose negligence created a dangerous condition.
Third-Party Claims Beyond Workers’ Compensation
If you were hurt on the job, you may assume workers’ compensation is your only option. In many cases, it isn’t. Workers’ comp can help cover medical care and a portion of your lost wages, but it doesn’t allow you to recover for pain and suffering, and it doesn’t hold a negligent third party accountable.
When someone other than your direct employer caused or contributed to your accident, you may be able to file a separate third-party personal injury claim.
Unlike a workers’ comp claim, a third-party claim can pursue the full range of damages, including pain, suffering, and long-term losses. Here’s a quick look at how the two options compare:
- Who you file against. Workers’ comp is a claim through your employer’s insurance. A third-party claim is filed against a separate negligent party, such as a subcontractor, manufacturer, or property owner.
- Fault requirement. Workers’ comp pays out regardless of who caused the accident. A third-party claim requires you to show that someone else’s negligence contributed to your injuries.
- What you can recover. Workers’ comp covers medical care and a portion of your lost wages. A third-party claim can pursue those same losses plus pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- Impact on your job. Workers’ comp benefits come through your employer, while a third-party claim has no effect on your standing at work.
- Filing both. In many cases, you can pursue workers’ comp and a third-party claim at the same time, giving you access to more complete compensation.
The right approach depends on the details of your accident. We can review who was involved and help you pursue every available option. This is where having an experienced attorney matters. Our team can look at every angle of your case, identify responsible parties, and pursue every source of compensation available to you so that you’re not leaving anything on the table.
Construction Accident Claim Rules and Eligibility
Not sure whether you have a case? A few basic rules determine who can file a construction accident claim in California and how much time you have to act. You generally have the right to pursue a claim if:
- You were injured on a construction site, whether you’re a worker, a contractor, or even a bystander passing by the site.
- Someone else’s negligence or a safety violation played a role in your accident.
- You suffered actual harm, such as physical injuries, medical bills, lost income, or other losses.
Here are a few important points to keep in mind:
- The statute of limitations. Under CCP 335.1, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent third party in CA. Miss that deadline, and you may lose your right to recover compensation altogether. Claims involving a government entity often have much shorter notice deadlines.
- You don‘t have to be a full–time employee. Temporary workers, day laborers, and independent contractors may all be eligible to file a claim, depending on the circumstances.
- Immigration status doesn‘t disqualify you. Injured workers in California have the right to pursue compensation regardless of their immigration status.
- Comparative fault won‘t necessarily bar your claim. Even if you were partly at fault, California’s comparative negligence rules may still allow you to recover a reduced amount.
Because these rules can get complicated quickly, and because deadlines vary depending on who’s responsible, it’s a good idea to talk with our San Diego construction accident lawyers as soon as possible after your accident.
Compensation a Construction Accident Lawyer in San Diego Will Pursue for You
A construction accident can leave you facing steep medical bills and time away from work. At a time like this, expenses and financial setbacks can add up quickly, causing stress about your finances and future.
We’ll work hard to get the following damages for you:
- Medical expenses
- Future treatment costs
- Physical therapy expenses
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Long-term disability
- Wrongful death damages if your loved one passed away in a construction accident
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How Our Legal Team Can Help
Getting back on your feet after a serious construction accident can be a long, painful, and uncertain process. After such an incident, you need a dedicated San Diego construction accident attorney to bring stability and confidence to your situation.
Here’s what our trusted team will do to get the best results possible for you and your loved ones:
- Travel for consultations and utilize modern technology to make the legal process simple and convenient
- Conduct a thorough investigation of the accident
- Calculate the total value of your claim
- Collaborate with engineers, medical professionals, and accident reconstructionists
- Practice clear and transparent communication, providing understandable answers to your questions
- Ensure important legal documents are filed correctly and on time
- Fight for the damages you need to cover your medical bills and get back on your feet
- Work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us nothing unless we recover compensation for you
Common Construction Accident Injuries in San Diego
Construction accidents can leave victims with serious and, in some cases, lifelong injuries. You may require expensive emergency or long-term care to manage your condition and live an enjoyable life.
Below are some of the most common construction accident injuries we handle, along with how each one can affect your case:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). A blow to the head from a fall or falling object can cause lasting problems with memory, focus, and mood. These injuries often require years of treatment, which can significantly raise the value of a claim and make future medical costs a central issue.
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis. Damage to the spine can lead to partial or complete loss of movement. Cases involving paralysis often carry some of the most serious damages because of the lifelong care, home modifications, and lost earning ability involved.
- Broken bones. Fractures from falls or being struck by equipment may heal, but severe breaks can require surgery, hardware, and months of physical therapy, all of which factor into your compensation.
- Severe burns. Electrical, chemical, and fire-related burns can cause permanent scarring and require repeated procedures. Beyond the medical costs, disfigurement can support a strong claim for pain and suffering.
- Electrical injuries. Contact with live wires can cause internal damage that isn’t always obvious right away, making a thorough medical evaluation critical to proving the full extent of your harm.
- Amputations. Losing a limb changes nearly every part of daily life and work. These cases often involve prosthetics, ongoing care, and a permanent loss of earning capacity.
- Internal organ injuries. Damage to organs may not show symptoms immediately but can become life-threatening. Documenting these injuries early is important for both your health and your claim.
- Soft tissue injuries. Sprains, strains, and torn muscles are sometimes dismissed as minor, but they can cause lasting pain and limit your ability to work. Proper medical records help make sure these injuries aren’t undervalued.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Trusted San Diego Construction Accident Attorney
Getting back on your feet and back to work after a construction accident can be incredibly challenging. At Omega Law Group, we understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to provide the compassionate support you need to make it through this difficult time in your life and career.
Still wondering if you have grounds for a personal injury case or workers’ comp claim? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a skilled construction accident lawyer in San Diego.
We’ll meet with you to discuss your injuries and losses, explain your legal options, and talk you through the steps we’ll take to pursue the compensation you need to put this accident behind you.
