Construction Accident Injury Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA
Construction sites are some of the most dangerous places to work. It is easy to suffer a serious injury even when all the necessary precautions are taken to maintain a safe work environment. Unfortunately, there are also many times when construction site injuries are caused by the negligent actions of contractors, foremen, property managers, or other construction workers. In these instances, you may be entitled to recover compensation in a construction accident lawsuit.
Many of the most common types of construction accidents result in catastrophic injuries that potentially have life-altering consequences, such as limiting your ability to work or decreasing the quality of your life on a daily basis. Bakersfield construction injury attorney Mickey Fine has seen the devastation caused by these accidents, and he will stand by your side every step of the way to help you through this difficult time in your life.
The best way to learn about your rights and options after being injured in a construction accident injury is to speak with one of our Bakersfield personal injury lawyers today. Please contact us online or call (661) 333-3333 today to schedule your free consultation at our Bakersfield office.
Do I Need a Construction Accident Attorney?
If you have been injured in a construction accident, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. This no-fault insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, some travel considerations, and a portion of your wages, and can help injured workers get the assistance they need until they are ready to return to work. However, many construction workers are not eligible for workers’ compensation claims. Even in cases where it is available, filing this type of claim may not be your only option. The most effective way to understand your options and make the best choice for you and your family is by discussing your injury with a Bakersfield construction injury attorney.
If you are in need of a construction accident attorney in Bakersfield or surrounding areas of California, please contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine to schedule a free and informative consultation. Consultations may also be scheduled by calling our office at (661) 333-3333.
Workers’ Comp vs. Personal Injury
Depending on the cause of your construction accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. With this type of legal action, you can hold the party responsible for your injury accountable for damages, including current and future lost wages, medical and rehabilitation expenses, and personal pain and suffering. A workers’ compensation claim will only cover a portion of these damages and will not provide any compensation for non-economic damages.
Not all construction site injuries qualify for legal action, but checking with an attorney is always in your best interest. Bakersfield construction injury attorney Mickey Fine has over two decades of experience helping victims of these accidents get justice. He welcomes an opportunity to meet with you free of charge to discuss your injury, your rights, and the most effective way to get the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry is one of the ten deadliest types of work in America. Even more often than they are fatal, however, construction site accidents result in serious personal injuries that can render a victim incapable of working. Worse still, common injuries sustained on construction sites can result in significant medical expenses and necessitate home and lifestyle modifications – and many construction workers aren’t even covered by workers’ compensation.
Whether you are covered by workers’ compensation or not, if you have been the victim of a construction accident, you deserve justice. California construction accident lawyer Mickey Fine will review your case free of charge to help you determine the best way to get the total compensation you are due.
Types of construction accidents handled by our Bakersfield personal injury lawyer include those involving:
There are often many contractors and companies working on any given construction site. When a third party is responsible for your accident, you may be entitled to significantly more than workers’ compensation will offer. The best way to learn what your case is worth is through a one-on-one consultation with our dedicated construction accident attorney.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one in five worker deaths is caused by construction accidents. OSHA has identified what it calls the “fatal four,” which are the four most common causes of construction workers’ deaths. These are:
Falls
Falls are by far the most common cause of fatal injury among construction workers and are responsible for nearly 40% of on-site deaths. Construction workers are frequently required to work on tall buildings or in other high locations. Basic safety precautions can prevent many of the injuries associated with falls, but all too often, construction companies fail to provide adequate equipment.
Strikes by Objects
From I-beams swinging overhead to vehicles rushing along on the other side of the orange cones, strikes by objects can cause any number of severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. Defective equipment may also contribute to the risk of construction injury by heavy materials. Falling objects like tools, materials, and debris also pose a danger. Even small objects can be fatal when they fall from a great enough height.
Electrocution
One need not be an electrician to be electrocuted on the job. Because construction sites are works in progress, all workers must perform their jobs in the vicinity of power lines, exposed wiring, and incomplete electrical systems. It is up to the site manager and the construction company to make sure that all workers are adequately protected from such risks, but it doesn’t take much electricity to severely burn or kill a worker.
Caught in Between
Because construction sites involve so much heavy machinery and equipment, the chances of being caught between machinery, materials, debris, or other immovable objects are significant. Construction sites are responsible for ensuring that all workers are out of the way when performing the kinds of dangerous tasks that can cause these kinds of injuries.
Common Construction Accident Injuries
Construction workers are at risk of slips, falls, fires, explosions, trench collapses, and many others. Some of the most common construction site injuries resulting from these accidents include:
Construction site injuries are preventable, but when companies don’t take the right precautions, it is time for you to take action on your own. With more than 25 years of experience handling construction accident cases, Mickey Fine can help ensure your rights are protected and you recover the compensation you deserve.
Who is Liable in a Construction Site Accident?
A construction accident case can involve multiple parties and potentially various liable agents. Depending on the circumstances of the incident, liability could potentially belong to the following:
Property Owners
Property owners have a responsibility to ensure that their premises are free from hazards that could lead to construction injuries. Failure to warn contractors or construction employees of potential dangers could constitute a source of liability.
Employers and Contractors
Construction companies and those that oversee their projects must ensure the safety of workers by providing adequate safety gear and functional equipment and employing other measures to minimize serious injuries.
Manufacturers
In some cases, the fault may lie with the manufacturers of safety equipment or machinery that malfunctions and results in an injured worker.
An experienced construction accident attorney can investigate the circumstances of your claim to get a complete and accurate picture of how your injuries happened and help identify any and all at-fault parties.
Compensation in Construction Accidents
Due to the dangerous nature of construction sites, California has imposed strict laws and regulations to ensure the safety of workers. When property owners, contractors, and supervisors fail to adhere to these regulations, they may be held liable for any damages you suffer.
Mr. Fine works with a team of experts and engineers who will carefully investigate your case and reconstruct the conditions surrounding your injury to detect any signs of negligence and determine whether any of these laws have been violated.
If you or your employer were responsible for your accident, workers’ compensation is often the best bet. California workers’ compensation law uses a no-fault insurance coverage system intended to assist injured workers regardless of the cause of an accident. All employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance, regardless of the size of the company. In the event of an injured construction worker, the California workers’ compensation system may offer medical care, temporary disability benefits, and supplemental job displacement benefits.
However, when you file a workers’ compensation claim, you waive your right to seek additional damages through a personal injury lawsuit. Our Bakersfield construction accident attorneys can help you determine if this course of action is best in your particular case.
If your accident was caused by a third party, such as another contractor, you are not entitled to file for workers’ compensation. When this is the case, you must seek damages through a construction accident lawsuit. Mr. Fine can help you seek compensation for:
Medical Expenses
These damages include medical bills related to your construction injury, including hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitative care.
Lost Wages
Lost wages may include income missed due to recovery time and lost earning potential, should you be unable to return to your former employment or perform the same duties as before the accident.
Pain and Suffering
Losses such as emotional distress, loss of enjoyment, and mental anguish may be compensated in a personal injury claim.
Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering are not offered through workers’ compensation benefits.
Bakersfield Construction Injury Attorney Mickey Fine Will Fight For You
Mickey Fine has more than two decades of experience helping injured workers in the Bakersfield area. If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, Mr. Fine will aggressively fight for the compensation you deserve, and his extensive experience will give you the edge you need to move on with your life after this devastating event.
To schedule your free consultation with our California construction accident attorney, please call (661) 333-3333 today.
Law Offices of Mickey Fine – Bakersfield Office 930 Truxtun Ave, Suite 110 Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 333-3333
Commonly Asked Questions About Construction Accidents in Bakersfield
How do I file a construction accident claim in Bakersfield, CA?
The first thing you need to do if you are injured in a construction accident in Bakersfield is get the medical attention that your injuries require. Once you receive medical attention for your injuries, the next step that you should take is contacting construction accident lawyer, Mickey Fine. Mickey offers your first consultation free of charge and will be able to let you know what your options are moving forward.
Who will pay my compensation in a construction accident claim?
Because there a number of parties that could be responsible for your injuries in a construction accident, there are many insurance companies that could be responsible for paying your compensation. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company will be responsible for paying for the damages that you incur in your accident.
How much compensation am I entitled to in a construction accident claim in Bakersfield, CA?
Construction accidents are complex, and there could be a number of factors which could impact the amount of compensation a person is entitled to in one. Factors that may influence your dollar figure amount include medical bills, the severity of your injury, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, etc. The only way to know the exact amount of compensation you receive in your case is to speak with construction accident attorney, Mickey Fine.
How long will my construction accident case take to complete?
The amount of time your case takes to complete is determined by a number of factors. The time that it takes you to contact Mickey Fine, the time it takes to gather evidence, talk with witnesses, and litigation of your case will all determine how long your case takes to complete. To speed up the process as much as possible, you should contact construction accident attorney, Mickey Fine as soon as you can so he can get a jump start on your case.
Should I accept an insurance offer in my construction accident claim?
Only after you speak with Mickey Fine should you accept an insurance settlement. Mickey knows whether or not your settlement offer is fair or not, and can advise you on what to do with the offers you are presented with. Keep in mind that insurance companies have themselves in mind when they offer you these lowball settlements. It is important to have a steadfast and committed construction accident attorney on your side, so you don’t get undercut with less money than you deserve.
