Construction is a highly dangerous job in San Francisco that can risk the lives of workers, drivers and bystanders.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction sector had the highest number of worker fatalities in California in 2023 with 78 deaths. Dozens of construction site accidents are reported each year in the Bay Area alone.
Injured at a San Francisco Worksite? Fill out our online form or call (415) 855-4289.
Construction work in a densely developed urban environment such as San Francisco can be uniquely dangerous – especially due to the area’s steep hillsides, seismic activity and historic buildings. If you get hurt at a construction site here, it’s important to protect your rights by hiring an experienced and qualified San Francisco personal injury lawyer.
The local construction accident lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers have more than 50 years of experience representing workers and the public in San Francisco. In that time, we’ve secured more than $2 billion in settlements – including $3.15 million for a construction site accident case.
Contact us for a free review of your particular case.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Construction Accidents in San Francisco?
When a construction accident injures or kills someone in San Francisco, the victim or victim’s family must understand the cause of the incident to identify who can be held liable, or legally accountable. Your options when choosing a defendant for your case will depend on the circumstances, such as who was in charge of site maintenance and safety at the time.
Possibilities include:
- Employers and construction site supervisors
- 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
The typical legal process for a San Francisco construction accident claim involves an initial case evaluation with an attorney, a thorough investigation of the accident, identification of the defendant(s), evidence preservation and collection, consultations with expert witnesses, insurance settlement negotiations, and – if necessary – litigation in San Francisco courts.
Common Construction Accidents in San Francisco
Construction jobs have many inherent accident and injury risks. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies the top four fatal accident risks in this industry as:
- Falls from heights (scaffolding, high-rises, bridges)
- Struck-by accidents (falling objects, equipment)
- Caught-in/between incidents (machinery, trench collapses)
- Electrocution and electrical accidents
These are commonly referred to as the “Fatal Four.” Other frequently reported types of construction accidents include:
- Crane and heavy machinery accidents
- Forklift and transportation accidents
- Demolition and renovation hazards
- Scaffolding and ladder failures
- Explosion and fire incidents
- Exposure to hazardous materials
Factors that often contribute to construction site accidents are violated OSHA safety standards and employer/site manager negligence (a lack of ordinary care).
Serious Injuries Common to San Francisco Construction Sites
At Jacoby & Meyers, we stand by clients with injuries of all types from preventable construction accidents in San Francisco. We will help you get appropriate medical treatment and seek fair financial compensation for your injuries with a tailored legal strategy.
Common injury types in construction site accidents include:
- Head trauma and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Back and neck injuries
- Soft-tissue damage
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Broken bones and orthopedic injuries
- Burn injuries (electrical, chemical, fire, radiation)
- Toxic exposure illnesses
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Psychological trauma
If a victim survives a construction accident, he or she may have to endure the effects of a severe injury for the rest of his or her life. Sadly, many construction accidents in the Bay Area each year are fatal, leaving behind grieving family members to file wrongful death claims.
California Construction Safety Laws and Regulations
Preventing construction accidents in San Francisco starts with a company complying with federal and state safety laws. Cal/OSHA provides requirements for construction employers in the state, including regulations for posting warning signs for onsite hazards, restricting access to dangerous areas, and mandatory accident reporting. These requirements come in addition to federal OSHA standards for the construction industry, as well as municipal building codes in San Francisco and local seismic safety requirements.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation for San Francisco Construction Workers
Your legal options following a harmful construction site accident will depend on whether you were working at the time or a bystander, such as a bicyclist or pedestrian injured while passing through a construction zone. If you were working, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
California’s workers’ compensation system requires almost all employers to carry special insurance to cover the medical bills, partial lost wages, disability and death benefits of workers who get hurt on the job. This insurance does not require proof of anyone else’s negligence to qualify the victim for financial benefits.
Additional Legal Claims Available to Injured Construction Workers
If you qualify for workers’ comp in San Francisco, you should resist accepting a quick settlement until you’ve spoken to a knowledgeable San Francisco work injury attorney near you. Once you say yes to workers’ comp, you lose the right to hold your employer accountable for acts or omissions that contributed to your injury or illness.
There are limits to workers’ compensation coverage in California that do not exist within the personal injury justice system. Filing a claim against your employer could lead to 100 percent wage reimbursement, for example, instead of around 67 percent, as well as pain and suffering damages. The tradeoff is that you or your attorney must prove negligence using compelling evidence.
You may also be entitled to recover through both systems if someone other than your employer or a coworker caused your accident. A third-party liability claim could hold an equipment manufacturer, subcontractor, property owner, motor vehicle driver or another party responsible for your losses.
Why You Need a Specialized San Francisco Construction Accident Attorney
If you get injured in a construction accident in the Bay Area, seek immediate medical attention and report the incident promptly to your employer. Document the scene of the accident and your injuries as much as possible. Then, contact a San Francisco construction accident attorney for a free consultation.
The right lawyer for your case will have specialized knowledge and experience specifically handling construction accident claims. This will give the attorney an understanding of complex construction regulations and industry standards, experience with San Francisco’s unique building environment, relationships with construction safety experts and medical specialists, and the ability to investigate complex multi-employer worksites.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a San Francisco Construction Accident Lawyer Today
The attorney you choose to represent you after a harmful construction accident in San Francisco or the Bay Area can make all the difference to the outcome of your case. Jacoby & Meyers is a team of lawyers, case managers and associates who work together to make the prosecution of a claim or lawsuit successful in the courtroom and beyond.
Contact us for a free review of your case with an experienced construction site accident attorney in your city. Call our San Francisco office directly at (415) 855-4289 or send us a message anytime. There are no fees charged unless we win.