Getting involved in an accident as a construction worker in Fresno can leave you with painful and debilitating injuries, significant costs and losses, and questions about your legal rights.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our local construction accident attorneys can guide you through all of the steps required to seek justice and fair financial compensation in this situation.
Get Your FREE Construction Accident Case Review Now. Fill out our online form or call 559-545-0730.
Construction jobs have many inherent injury and illness risks, from working from heights to being around heavy machinery and equipment. Construction projects in Central Valley also come with unique hazards, such as extreme heat and agricultural conversion projects.
If you’ve been injured as a construction worker or bystander passing through a work site in Fresno, you deserve justice. The best way to protect your rights in the aftermath of a construction accident in Fresno is by hiring an experienced Fresno personal injury attorney. The team at Jacoby & Meyers has earned the trust of thousands of hard-working Californians.
Common Types of Construction Accidents in Fresno
Construction is the most dangerous industry for workers in America. In California, construction has the second-highest rate of work injury deaths (17 percent) next to transportation and utilities (26 percent). The recent boom in construction projects in Fresno and the surrounding areas puts workers and the public at a higher risk of construction accident injuries.
Common types of construction accidents include:
- Building collapse and structural failures
- Caught-in/between equipment or machinery
- Electrocutions and electrical accidents
- Exposure to toxic substances and materials
- Falls from heights (scaffolding, roofs, ladders)
- Fire-related hazards and explosions
- Heat-related illnesses and injuries
- Heavy machinery and equipment accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Struck-by accidents (falling objects, equipment)
- Violence by people and animals, such as dog attacks
These construction accidents can cause a variety of serious injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic amputations, broken bones, burns, electrocutions, vision or hearing loss, and repetitive stress injuries. Sadly, not all victims survive construction site accidents in Fresno.
California Construction Safety Laws Affecting Fresno Workers
There are many laws in place regarding the safety, control, maintenance and management of a California construction site. Employers in this industry must obey laws that exist on a state and federal level. This includes Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Cal/OSHA requirements related to worker training, premises safety, hazard warnings, building code compliance and accident reporting.
Local employers in the construction sector must also protect their workers from injury and illness risks specific to Fresno, such as heat-related illnesses and valley fever prevention during excavations. Any failure to comply with these safety rules and regulations can lead to a preventable construction accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Construction Accidents in Fresno
Determining who can be held legally responsible or liable for your construction site accident in Fresno can help you understand your recovery options. An attorney with experience in this practice area can investigate your case thoroughly to determine who may be held accountable.
Possibilities include:
- General contractors and construction managers
- Subcontractors and specialized trade companies
- Property owners and developers
- Equipment manufacturers and suppliers
- Architects and engineers
- Government entities responsible for oversight
- Third-party vendors and service providers
Naming the correct defendant(s) in your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit can help you achieve justice and fair financial compensation. Holding more than one party responsible can lead to multiple insurance policies available.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation for Fresno Construction Workers
Employers in California are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover injuries and illnesses suffered by workers within the scope and course of their employment. A workers’ comp claim does not require proof of negligence, or the failure to act with proper care. However, there are limitations to the coverage available.
A personal injury claim, on the other hand, could result in greater financial compensation for the worker’s losses. The tradeoff is that the victim must prove negligence for a successful injury claim. For example, you may have grounds for a product liability claim for defective equipment or a premises liability claim for unsafe property conditions.
While you can accept a workers’ comp settlement and simultaneously pursue financial compensation from a third party – someone other than your employer or a coworker – you cannot accept workers’ comp and sue the person you work for. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney before making any decisions regarding your construction accident case.
Compensation Available for Fresno Construction Accident Victims
If you qualify for workers’ compensation after a Fresno construction site accident, you could receive benefits to cover all of your medical expenses, part of your lost wages, disability-related costs and death benefits if a loved one died. The value of your claim will depend on the circumstances and is subject to state-imposed maximums.
If you have the right to file an injury claim, on the other hand, you could qualify for the following types of financial compensation:
- Medical expenses (including specialized care and rehabilitation)
- Full lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Disability accommodations and retraining costs
- Pain and suffering damages
- Emotional distress compensation
- Family support for fatal accident cases
- Future medical needs and life care planning
After a harmful construction accident, seek immediate medical attention at Community Regional Medical Center or other local facilities. Report your accident to your supervisor right away, but at least within 30 days. Then, before you initiate a workers’ compensation claim, consult with a Fresno construction accident attorney to discuss your legal options.
Why You Need a Specialized Fresno Construction Accident Attorney
Injury cases involving construction site accidents can have many legal challenges and nuances that make them difficult to navigate without legal experience. Hiring a specialized Fresno construction accident attorney is the best way to handle your claim.
Look for a lawyer with the following traits:
- Knowledge of local construction practices and regulations
- Bilingual services essential in Fresno’s diverse community
- Experience with Central Valley court systems
- Relationships with local medical providers and experts
- Understanding of agricultural-to-urban development risks
- Track record of successful construction accident settlements
- Familiarity with Fresno’s major construction companies and insurers
The right lawyer for you will have the resources, experience and local knowledge your construction accident case needs to succeed. You should feel confident in your attorney’s ability to handle your case in the most determined and effective way possible.
Request a Free Construction Accident Case Review in Fresno
Jacoby & Meyers is committed to advocating for injured construction workers throughout Fresno. At our law firm, you come first. We can handle every detail involved in your case to help you obtain justice and a healthy recovery while you focus on healing.
We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay us unless we win your case. Learn more about how we can help you by requesting a free case consultation. You can reach our local Fresno law office directly at (559) 545-0730 or contact us online 24/7.
Our Fresno Office
Jacoby & Meyers Accident & Injury Lawyers – Fresno
516 W Shaw Ave #200,
Fresno, CA 93704