If you have been injured in a construction accident, obtaining fair compensation may be harder than you think. Complex environments like construction sites make it easy for everyone to point the finger at others when it comes to identifying who is at fault for an accident. Many people share responsibility for what happens at construction sites, which are typically full of dangers. Figuring out who must pay for injuries requires the assistance of an experienced construction accident attorney.
Who Is Responsible for Construction Site Accidents?
Accident victims deserve compensation for their injuries. For compensation to be paid, someone must be found “at fault” for the accident. Construction accident attorneys know that insurance companies pay most accident claims, not individuals. So, determining “fault” is the way that construction accident lawyers figure out whose insurance policy will cover damages from the accident.
The following people may be liable for a construction accident:
- Construction site owner
- Construction site manager
- General contractor
- Equipment manufacturer
- Subcontractors
- Architects
- Engineers
- Government agencies
California is a comparative negligence state, which means that everyone found to be at fault for the accident, including the victim, shares responsibility for accident damages. A judge or jury decides which parties are responsible for the damages and how much responsibility each person bears. If a victim is found 50% responsible for the accident, then the amount he can recover from others is 50% of the total damages.
Construction Accident Attorneys Use Evidence to Prove Liability
Construction accidents involve many potential parties and many possible “causes” of the accident. For example, when equipment is involved, was the cause human error in operating equipment, a product defect or malfunction, or a failure to provide proper training and safeguards? Determining the cause of the accident leads to identifying the person who is liable for damages.
The experienced construction accident attorneys at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP, begin with a free initial consultation, followed by an extensive accident investigation. We utilize construction accident experts and substantial evidence to build a persuasive case showing how the accident injured you, who caused the accident, the value of your damages, and why the responsible party must fairly compensate you.
Construction site accident evidence may include the following:
- Proof of contractual responsibility
- Accident reconstruction
- Construction site records
- Construction site technical and design documents
- Eyewitnesses
- Construction accident expert testimony
- Safety records and reports
- Video and audio recordings
What type of compensation is allowed after a construction accident?
Injuries from construction accidents range from minor to catastrophic. Regardless of the extent of injuries, victims deserve compensation. Depending on the severity of the accident, damages may include the following:
- Lost wages
- Future loss of earnings
- Expenses related to obtaining medical or psychological care
- Rehabilitation services
- In-home or institutional care or services
- Mental and emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Household assistance for tasks you can no longer perform
- Additional direct costs resulting from the accident
Call the Experienced Construction Accident Attorneys at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP
Construction accident victims need help quickly. Construction sites change daily and critical evidence may be inadvertently destroyed. A thorough, independent accident scene investigation should be completed as soon as possible. If government agencies are involved, the window of time for filing a claim may be limited. Most importantly, accident victims need to focus on recovering. Retaining an experienced construction accident attorney allows victims to address their physical and emotional needs while the attorney works to obtain compensation.