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 or a loved one gets 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 injury claims. In that time, we’ve secured more than $2 billion in settlements– including $3.15 million for a construction site accident case.
Contact us today for a free review of your construction accident case.Â
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers for Your Construction Accident Case?
Choosing the the right construction accident lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case. The right lawyer will have 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. When you trust our award-winning law firm to handle your construction accident case, you can expect:
- Our team has over 50 years of courtroom and legal experience representing injured construction workers throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area
- We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless we win your case
- Our personal injury law firm handles everything on your behalf, from medical referrals and insurance negotiations to property damage and case litigation
- Our construction accident lawyers offer clear, consistent communication throughout the claims process so you’re never left in the dark
- We maintain a confidential attorney-client relationship that protects your privacy and interests
Call a San Francisco construction accident attorney at Jacoby & Meyers today to schedule a free consultation.
Our Personal Injury Case Results
Our personal injury attorneys have a track record of success. We have recovered over $2 billion in settlements on behalf of local accident victims in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout Northern California. Some of our top case results include:
$19 Million
Ride Share Passenger
V.
Auto/Quadriplegic
$17.5 Million
Bike
V.
Truck/Paraplegic
$13 Million
Wrongful Death
V.
City
Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome. Amounts listed are gross recoveries before attorney fees and costs.
What Our Clients Have To Say
“Best firm there is. This Firm has been very helpful throughout the entire process. Adanhelly was been one of the best!!. Very helpful, and she sincerely makes me feel valued and taken care of. I highly recommend this law firm to EVERYBODY!”
– Ali M.
“Jacob & Meyers is the best, they handled our case immediately. Thank you for caring about us and getting us through this horrible thing that happened to us. Emily and the team are top-notch. If you’re looking for the best lawyers to fight for you, look no further; they will take care of your case.“
– Leslie J.
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.
Possible liable parties 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” in the construction industry. Other frequently reported types of accidents on construction sites 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).
Common Injuries on Construction Sites in San Francisco
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. If your loved one lost their life in a construction accident, our wrongful death lawyers in San Francisco can help you pursue justice.
Injured on a Construction Site?
Contact Our Experienced San Francisco Construction Accident Attorneys Today
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 in San Francisco Construction Accidents
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% wage reimbursement, for example, instead of around 67%, 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.
Contact Our San Francisco Construction Accident Attorneys Today
If you get injured in a construction accident in the Bay Area or anywhere else in Northern California, 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.
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. Call our San Francisco office directly at (415) 855-4289 or send us a message throughout our contact form anytime. There are no fees charged unless we win.
Visit Our San Francisco Office
Our personal injury law firm is conveniently located near Chinatown and Union Square. Visit us at:
50 California St Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94111