Santa Maria Construction Site Injury Lawyer

Santa Maria Construction Site Injury Attorney

Few job sites in the country are more dangerous than a construction site. Often, the potential for injuries is unpredictable and dependent on whatever happens to go wrong that day. While there are always certain precautions you can take, it is not always easy or possible to prevent injuries, depending on the situation. If you are a construction worker and are injured on the job, you may want to speak with a Santa Maria construction site injury lawyer about it. A local personal injury lawyer in Santa Maria can help you understand your legal options and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Workers’ Compensation in California

California state law requires every employer in the state, regardless of how many employees they have, to carry workers’ comp insurance, just in case something happens to an employee on the job. This insurance provides basic benefits for injured employees, such as medical benefits, temporary or permanent disability benefits, and even death benefits.

You never know when something sudden and tragic could happen on a construction site, so it might be wise to take efforts to protect yourself in case it does. You should always be aware of your surroundings, even if it seems like nothing could happen. The extra precautions you take could be the difference between walking away and suffering a serious injury. A construction site injury lawyer can develop your case in the event of an injury.

Frequent Causes of Construction Site Injuries

When evaluating injuries often suffered on construction sites, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists their top four consistent construction hazards, which they call the “Fatal Four.” These four hazards are the most frequent causes of construction site injuries across the entire country. If you ever find yourself suffering an injury brought on by one of these hazards, you should consider speaking with an injury lawyer. These hazards include:

• Caídas: Many construction sites are very high above the ground, with work needing to be done on skyscrapers, mountains, rooftops, and other elevations. It doesn’t take much for scaffolding to collapse. An exceeded weight limit or some displaced weight might be enough to tear it down in seconds. Ladders can be misused, guard rails can slip, and the result can be a severely injured construction worker.
• Caught-In/Caught-Between: Regrettably, it is not uncommon for construction workers to end up trapped between a piece of machinery and the wall or between two pieces of heavy machinery. It’s one of the most frequent causes of construction site injuries and/or death, according to OSHA. These kinds of injuries are often quite severe and can result in life-altering injuries if you survive. Be aware of your surroundings to avoid these accidents.
• Struck-By: There is often a great deal of moving equipment on a construction site. If you are not careful and watching where you are going, you could easily end up in the path of a large vehicle and be seriously injured. The kinds of injuries you could suffer after getting struck by a piece of heavy machinery could be devastating. These situations are generally the result of poor training or pure negligence.
• Electrocution: It is not uncommon to see electrical hazards all over construction sites. When working on a site, rewiring is generally a necessary part of the process. When you come into contact with a live wire, it could result in catastrophic injuries or even death, depending on the severity of the contact. If you see loose wiring on a site, make sure it gets marked with a warning. Double-check your equipment before using it, too.

FAQs About Santa Maria, CA Construction Site Injury Law

Q: How Long Does an Employer Have to Report an Injury in California?

A: En California, employers are required to report a workplace injury to the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) within five days of learning about it. The injured employee themselves must report their injury to their supervisor within 30 days of the injury or else they risk forfeiting their right to workers’ compensation benefits.

Q: What Is the 90-Day Rule for Workers’ Comp in California?

A: The 90-day rule for workers’ comp in California refers to the amount of time in which your employer’s insurance carrier has to respond to your workers’ comp claim. If they don’t get back to you with their decision within 90 days, it is automatically assumed that they have approved your claim and you are entitled to workers’ comp benefits. There may be exceptions to the 90-day rule, such as cases where the extent of your injuries is not immediately known.

Q: How Would You Respond to an Injury Sustained on a Construction Site?

A: If you are ever injured on a construction site, it is very important that you react accordingly. Make sure you prioritize immediate medical attention. Depending on the accident, you could be dealing with severe injuries. Make sure the accident scene is properly secured and the accident itself is reported to all the right people. From there, you may want to consider consulting a lawyer about your options regarding compensation.

Q: How Long After a Work Injury Can You Take Legal Action in California?

A: In California, work injuries are addressed through the state’s workers’ compensation system. Barring cases of extreme negligence or outright malice, this is the only remedy for seeking compensation after a work injury. You have 30 days to report your injury to your employer, either once it occurs or after you learn of it. If you do not, you may become ineligible for benefits.

Reach Out to a Construction Site Injury Lawyer Today

There is often a lot of possibility for injuries on a construction site. You may want to take extra care to make sure you don’t suffer a serious injury. If such an injury occurs anyway, reach out to a construction site injury lawyer. They can look into your options and make sure you receive your workers’ comp benefits promptly.

En legal team at Canlas Law Group, APLC, understands the most effective ways to help you with your case and make sure you are properly compensated. We can build your case, gather evidence of your accident, and talk to insurance companies on your behalf. Póngase en contacto con nosotros to speak with a valued team member about your case today.