Construction accidents

Los Angeles Construction Accident Attorneys

Construction Accidents in the Greater Los Angeles Area

In the Greater Los Angeles Area, where construction is constant, workers are at a high risk of being injured or killed on the job. If you were injured on a construction site, suffered a cumulative injury or illness related to your work, or lost a loved one in a tragic construction accident, the Barkhordarian Law Firm can help.

Since 2012, our firm has been representing injured workers across all industries, including construction, seek the fair workers’ compensation benefits they are owed. We also help individuals file third-party work injury claims when appropriate and can help you uncover all possible sources of compensation after a serious work-related injury or debilitating occupational illness. Our Los Angeles construction accident attorneys represent injured workers and their families throughout L.A. County and the surrounding areas.

California Construction Accident Statistics

Construction workers are consistently among the most at-risk when it comes to work-related injuries and deaths. According to a study published by the California Department of Industrial Relations and California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, which looked at data from 2013 – 2017, construction accidents are the second most common cause of work-related fatalities in California.

From 2013 – 2017, there were 309 worker fatalities within the construction industry in California. In 2017 alone, the industry saw 69 deaths. Over the five-year period included in the study, the construction industry saw a fatality rate of nearly 6 per 100,000 full-time workers—a significantly higher rate than the state’s overall fatality rate by industry of less than 2.2 per 100,000.

The study also noted that the most common causes of construction-related fatalities were falls, slips and trips, and transportation-related accidents.

Are California Construction Workers Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

In California, all employers (with very few exceptions) must carry workers’ compensation insurance, regardless of the number of employees they have or the status of those employees (full-time, part-time, seasonal, etc.). This means that, if you are a construction worker and work for a full-time employer or have been hired by a contractor, you are likely covered.

Note that sole proprietors and self-employed individuals are not typically required by law to carry workers’ compensation, meaning contractors who do not hire employees may not be covered if they are injured on the job. However, California roofers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, regardless of whether they have any employees or are sole proprietors.

What to Do After a Construction Accident

If you are involved in a construction accident in Los Angeles or the surrounding areas, there are certain steps you should take to protect your health, safety, and well-being. These steps can also protect your rights and make the process of filing a workers’ compensation much easier.

If you are involved in a construction accident, make sure to do the following:

• Seek appropriate medical attention right away. If necessary, call 911 or go to the emergency room. Even if your injuries seem minor, you should still see a medical professional as soon as possible and receive a proper diagnosis.
• Notify your employer of the accident/injury immediately. Under California workers’ compensation law, you only have 30 days to inform your employer of the work-related injury, but the sooner you do this, the better.
• Provide your employer with a completed Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC 1). You can request this form from your employer or find it online here. Note that you only have one year from the date of the accident/injury to fill out and file this form.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions and treatment plans. This may mean taking time off work to heal. Do NOT return to work (even to perform light-duty work) until you have received permission from your doctor to do so.
• If you experience any issues with your claim—from disputes from your employer to delays in receiving your benefits—contact an experienced attorney. A workers’ compensation lawyer can represent you and protect your rights throughout the legal process.

At the Barkhordarian Law Firm, we provide our workers’ compensation legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not collect any attorneys’ fees unless/until we win your case. If we do not recover benefits for you, you do not owe us a dime.

Filing a Third-Party Work Injury Claim After a Construction Accident

While nearly all California employees, including construction workers, are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, actually recovering those benefits is not always easy. In some cases, it may be necessary and/or appropriate to seek supplemental compensation by bringing a third-party work injury claim after a construction accident.

Note that third-party claims are exceedingly rare and winning a lawsuit against a third party can be challenging. That being said, you may have grounds for a third-party claim if you can prove that someone other than your employer was liable for your work-related injury.

In construction, third-party work injury claims are often brought against:

• Contractors/subcontractors
• Product manufacturers
• Private motor vehicle drivers
• Commercial vehicle operators
• Property owners/landowners
• Government entities

While workers’ compensation allows you to recover medical, wage replacement, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits, a third-party work injury claim can provide the opportunity to recover compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost income/wages, lost future earnings and earning potential, pain and suffering, lost quality of life, loss of consortium, disfigurement, inconvenience, and more.

Reach out to our Los Angeles construction accident lawyers at the Barkhordarian Law Firm to learn more about your legal rights and options, including whether you have grounds for a third-party work injury lawsuit.

Why You Need an Attorney

Construction accidents tend to result in serious, life-altering injuries. As such, workers’ compensation claims for construction workers are often very complex. In addition to temporary disability benefits while you are out of work recovering from your injuries, you may be entitled to permanent partial disability or permanent total disability benefits if your injuries leave you unable to return to work at full capacity or at all. Insurance companies do not like to pay out high-value claims, including those involving permanent disability. Having an attorney by your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

We recommend that you discuss your options with an experienced, knowledgeable, and proven legal team. At the Barkhordarian Law Firm, we have successfully litigated complex workers’ compensation claims on behalf of severely injured employees and the families of those wrongfully killed. We are committed to helping California workers protect their rights and get back on their feet after serious accidents and debilitating work-related injuries and illnesses. Let us be your advocate.