Concord Construction Accident Attorneys

Representing Construction Workers in Our Community

Construction work might be inherently more dangerous than many other workplaces, but that doesn’t mean that accidents should be seen as “inevitable.” Furthermore, if an accident does happen, then the injured worker shouldn’t have a more difficult time getting workers’ compensation just because they work in construction. At Pacific Workers', The Lawyers for Injured Workers in Concord, we are dedicated to making certain that injured construction workers in our community have fair access to the benefits they deserve. With more than 130 years of collective legal experience, we’re the team that you know you can trust with your case when the going gets tough.

For more information about our services, call (888) 740-6434 or fill out an online contact form.

Common Types of Construction Accidents

A construction accident refers to any incident or event that occurs on a construction site resulting in injuries, property damage, or fatalities.

Common types of construction accidents include:

• Falls: Falls from heights, such as ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or structural frameworks, are among the most frequent and severe construction accidents.
• Struck-by Accidents: These involve being struck by falling objects, heavy machinery, tools, or construction materials.
• Caught-in/between Accidents: Workers can be caught in or between heavy machinery, equipment, collapsing structures, or materials.
• Electrocution: Accidents involving contact with live wires, faulty electrical equipment, or overhead power lines.
• Collapse or Structural Failures: Building or trench collapses, scaffold failures, or structural instability leading to accidents.
• Machinery Accidents: Injuries caused by the use of heavy equipment such as cranes, forklifts, bulldozers, and power tools.
• Repetitive Motion Injuries: Cumulative injuries due to repetitive tasks or poor ergonomics over time.
• Exposure to Hazardous Materials: Contact with toxic substances, chemicals, or gases during construction work.

Construction accidents can stem from various contributing factors, often a combination of human error, environmental conditions, equipment failure, and inadequate safety measures.

Here are some key contributing factors:

• Human Error: Mistakes made by workers, supervisors, or managers due to fatigue, lack of training, inexperience, distraction, or negligence can lead to accidents.
• Unsafe Working Conditions: Poorly maintained equipment, inadequate safety protocols, lack of safety gear, cluttered work areas, or insufficient lighting can contribute to accidents.
• Lack of Communication: Ineffective communication between workers, unclear instructions, or misinterpretation of instructions can lead to misunderstandings and accidents.
• Equipment Malfunction: Mechanical failures or malfunctions of heavy machinery, tools, or equipment due to lack of maintenance or defects can cause accidents.
• Time Pressure: Tight project deadlines or rushing to meet schedules might compromise safety measures, leading to shortcuts or negligence in following proper procedures.
• Weather Conditions: Extreme weather conditions, such as high winds, rain, or ice, can increase the risk of accidents by making surfaces slippery, affecting visibility, or causing structural instability.
• Inadequate Training: Insufficient training in handling machinery, tools, or safety procedures can contribute to accidents among workers.
• Subcontractor Coordination Issues: When multiple contractors or subcontractors work on a site simultaneously, coordination problems can arise, leading to confusion, clashes, or unsafe practices.
• Failure to Follow Safety Regulations: Non-compliance with safety standards, regulations, or failure to update practices according to industry changes can heighten the risk of accidents.
• Fatigue and Stress: Long hours, demanding schedules, and physical or mental exhaustion can impair judgment and increase the likelihood of accidents.

Serious Injuries on Construction Sites

You probably know that your work on a construction site can put you near jobsite hazards that you won’t find in most other industries. But did you know that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has routinely concluded that construction work is one of the most dangerous industries in the entire country, year after year? Even when safety is a top priority, problems can happen in an instant, and careful workers can be injured.

In construction accident claims, some of the most common injuries are:

• Cuts and Lacerations: Workers often handle sharp tools and materials, making cuts and lacerations common. These can range from minor injuries to severe wounds requiring stitches or medical attention.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Falls, being struck by objects, or accidents involving heavy machinery can result in fractures or broken bones, affecting limbs, the spine, or the skull.
• Head Injuries: Trauma to the head due to falls, falling objects, or accidents with machinery can cause concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries.
• Back Injuries: Lifting heavy objects, repetitive motion, or accidents can lead to strains, sprains, herniated discs, or more severe spinal injuries.
• Burns: Exposure to chemicals, electrical accidents, or fires on construction sites can cause burns, ranging from mild to severe.
• Electrocution: Contact with live wires, faulty equipment, or improper handling of electrical tools can lead to electrocution, causing severe injuries or fatalities.
• Respiratory Problems: Inhalation of dust, toxic fumes, or exposure to hazardous materials can lead to respiratory issues, such as lung diseases or breathing difficulties.
• Amputations: Accidents involving heavy machinery or equipment can sometimes result in traumatic amputations of fingers, hands, toes, or limbs.
• Eye Injuries: Construction work involves exposure to dust, debris, and flying particles, leading to eye injuries or vision impairment.

Liability Should Not Matter When Filing

Workers’ compensation is a system that does not need to assign or determine fault for the claimant to receive their benefits. This no-fault approach to compensation and benefits allows construction workers to file claims even when their own mistakes caused their injuries. For example, you might have been rushing up a flight of stairs with your arms full of tools when you slipped and fell because you couldn’t catch yourself. Even though you might have known what you were doing was unsafe, you should still be able to file a claim because you were not intentionally trying to get hurt and you did not egregiously violate a safety protocol.

Your employer or their insurance provider might argue otherwise, though. Construction accident claims can be denied for various reasons, including intentional wrongdoing. If liability for your accident is being brought into question, then you should not hesitate to get our Concord construction accident attorneys involved with your case.

Do Independent Contractors Get Workers’ Comp?

California is one of a few states that require all people who work in the construction industry to be covered with workers’ compensation policies. Even if you are employed as an independent contractor and the construction company only has you as a worker, then you should be eligible for workers’ compensation if you get hurt at work. If your employer is trying to tell you that you don’t get workers’ comp because you work in construction, then that is a serious issue that should be brought to our law firm’s attention at once.

Give Yourself the Chance to Recover in Comfort

A construction accident can leave you reeling and feeling out of luck. To avoid adding more stress onto your shoulders by fighting with an insurance company, leave your case up to the professionals of the Pacific Workers’ Compensation Law Center. Since opening our doors in 1994, we’ve become a legal staple in the greater Bay Area for injured workers who need someone to stand up for them. Let us do the same for you today.

Dial (888) 740-6434 now. Initial consultations are free.