Construction Accidents in San Diego
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there were 976 work-related deaths in the construction and extraction industry in 2020. More than 100,000 construction workers also sustain injuries while working every year. Accounting for around 20% of all work-related deaths in the United States, the construction industry is one the most dangerous occupation in the country.
From scaling heights to handling heavy machinery, chemicals, and moving objects, construction work is fundamentally dangerous. Despite the inherent danger, employer negligence also increases the potential of construction site injuries and deaths. For instance, an employer with poorly maintained equipment greatly increases the likelihood of their workers sustaining injuries.
In addition to death, construction accidents can leave victims with permanent disabilities requiring life-long and often costly medical treatment. Typically, the victim may never be able to work again. However, California law entitles victims to worker’s compensation benefits for work-related injuries. You can also recover damages for the wrongful death of a loved one.
Types of San Diego Construction Accidents
Some of the most common types of construction accidents in San Diego include:
- Falls – With construction work mostly involving scaling heights and working from high places, including on roofs, cranes, and scaffolds, there is always the danger of falling and sustaining injuries or even death. Falls in construction sites may be due to crane malfunctions, operator error, and other forms of negligence.
- Struck-by accidents – A construction worker may sustain catastrophic injuries or even die after getting struck by falling objects in a construction site, including building materials and falling equipment or tools.
- Caught-between accidents – These are dangerous accidents where a worker or a part of their body gets caught between objects or construction machinery, including being pinned against a wall by heavy equipment.
- Equipment accidents -With construction work involving heavy equipment like forklifts, bulldozers, cranes, and graders, malfunctioning or negligent handling of these machines often injure workers.
- Electrical accidents – Construction workers may also be injured working with or around electrical equipment or systems, including unknowingly touching or stepping on live electrical lines. These accidents often lead to electrocutions, shocks, and burns.
- Others – a construction worker may also sustain injuries or die in motor vehicle accidents, explosions, trips, and heat or toxic substances exposures.
Common Construction Site Injuries
Construction site accidents often leave their victims with severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Paralysis and amputations
- Respiratory damage
- Electrical shocks
- Severe cuts and bruises
- Burns
- Vision/hearing loss
Construction site accidents can also leave victims emotionally scarred, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
Recovering Damages in a Construction Accident
With California requiring all employers to get workers’ compensation benefits coverage for all their employees, construction site accident victims primarily recover damages under the benefits coverage. Essentially, employees cannot pursue personal injury claims against their employer. Unfortunately, workers’ compensation benefits are often limited to medical expenses and may not be sufficient for victims with catastrophic injuries.
In some cases, a victim can pursue additional compensation in a third-party personal injury lawsuit where a third party is legally liable for their injuries. However, you need to establish and prove the third party’s negligence. Typically, damage recovery in a construction accident can be challenging. However, a San Diego construction accident attorney can help.
Contact a San Diego Construction Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a San Diego construction accident, contact our skilled San Diego construction accident lawyer at The Law Office of Samuel G. Lynn P.C. Sam Lynn has broad experience dealing with similar cases and is committed to guiding you through the legal process while helping you get fair compensation for your injuries. Contact him to schedule a case evaluation and learn more about our services.
