Construction Accident Attorney

Construction workers keep California moving. They build the roads, the buildings, the infrastructure that everyone else uses — and they do it in one of the most dangerous work environments in the country. When something goes wrong on a jobsite, the consequences are rarely minor. Falls from scaffolding. Equipment crushing a limb. Electrocution. Trench collapses. These aren’t freak accidents — they’re the predictable result of safety shortcuts, inadequate training, and corners cut by contractors who prioritize schedule over the people doing the work.

If you were injured on a construction site in California, you need an attorney who understands both workers’ compensation and third-party liability — because in most serious construction accident cases, workers’ comp alone doesn’t come close to covering what you’ve actually lost. There’s more available to you. We know exactly how to get it.

Why Construction Accident Cases Are More Complex Than They Look

Most workplace injury victims assume workers’ compensation is their only option. It isn’t — and settling for workers’ comp alone can mean leaving significant money on the table.

California law recognizes third-party liability in construction accidents, meaning injured workers may have a claim against equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, or property owners in addition to their employer. Workers’ compensation covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages. It does not cover pain and suffering, full lost income, or long-term disability damages. A third-party personal injury claim does — and pursuing both simultaneously is exactly what we do.

Construction sites involve layers of contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment suppliers, and safety inspectors — all with overlapping responsibilities and their own insurance coverage. Identifying every party whose negligence contributed to your injury, and building a case against all of them, is exactly the kind of work that separates a skilled construction accident attorney from a general practice.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents

Most construction accidents are preventable and trace back to someone’s failure to follow the rules. The most common causes we see include:
● Falls from scaffolding, ladders, rooftops, or elevated surfaces
● Being struck by falling objects, heavy equipment, or unsecured materials
● Electrocution from exposed wiring, power lines, or faulty equipment
● Trench and excavation collapses
● Forklift, crane, and heavy machinery accidents
● Defective or improperly maintained tools and equipment
● Exposure to hazardous substances including asbestos, silica dust, and toxic chemicals
● Fires and explosions caused by gas leaks or improper handling of flammables
● Inadequate fall protection, missing guardrails, or unsecured scaffolding

When Cal/OSHA violations caused or contributed to your injury, they become critical evidence in your case. We know exactly where to look for them and how to use them.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Liability in construction accidents rarely falls on just one party. Depending on how the accident happened, responsible parties can include:
● The general contractor, for failing to maintain a safe jobsite overall
● A subcontractor, for unsafe practices in their specific scope of work
● The property owner or developer, for dangerous site conditions
● An equipment manufacturer, if a defective tool or machine caused the injury
● A third-party maintenance company, if improperly serviced equipment failed
● A staffing agency, if a negligently placed or inadequately trained worker caused harm

Evidence in these cases — jobsite video, safety logs, Cal/OSHA reports, witness statements, contract documents — disappears fast. Safety violations get corrected. Camera footage gets overwritten. Workers move on to other sites. The sooner we get involved, the more of that evidence we can lock down.

What To Do After a Construction Accident

Get medical attention immediately. Construction injuries — particularly head trauma, spinal damage, and internal injuries — can be more serious than they first appear. Every medical visit needs to be documented.

Report the accident to your supervisor. Under California law, injured employees must provide written notice to their employer within 30 days of the injury. Request a copy of any written accident report filed on site.

Document the scene. Before conditions change, photograph the hazard, the equipment involved, and anything that contributed to the accident. Get names and contact information for any witnesses present.

Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company — not your employer’s insurer, not a subcontractor’s insurer, not anyone — until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Adjusters use early statements to minimize or deny legitimate claims.

Call Chris and Frank immediately. Construction accident cases are time-sensitive in ways most people don’t realize until it’s too late.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Workers’ compensation covers a portion of what you’re owed. A third-party personal injury claim recovers the rest. Together, a successful construction accident case can pursue:
● Full medical expenses, including surgery, hospitalization, and ongoing treatment
● Complete lost wages — not just the partial replacement workers’ comp provides
● Future medical costs and long-term rehabilitation
● Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
● Pain and suffering and emotional distress
● Permanent disability or disfigurement
● Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one on the job

The gap between what workers’ comp pays and what a full personal injury claim recovers can be substantial. We evaluate both avenues for every client and pursue every dollar available.

Why Hire Chris and Frank

Construction accident cases require attorneys who understand Cal/OSHA regulations, third-party liability, workers’ compensation law, and how to investigate complex multi-party jobsite accidents. That’s not a general skill set. It’s a specialized one — and it’s what we bring to every case.

We’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients. We win 99% of our cases. From your first call, we take over: investigating the accident, preserving critical evidence, coordinating your medical care at no upfront cost, and building a case against every party whose negligence put you in harm’s way. Cash advances are available if lost income is creating financial pressure while your case is pending. No fees until we win. Se habla español. And with offices across California and the Pacific Northwest — and more locations opening — we’re always within reach.

You were just doing your job. Someone else’s failure to follow the rules changed everything. Call Chris and Frank for a free consultation and find out exactly what your case is worth.