Construction sites are the foundation of our growing communities in Northern California. From new developments in Chico to vital infrastructure projects along Interstate 5 in Redding, these sites represent progress and opportunity. Yet, they are also among the most hazardous workplaces. When safety protocols are ignored or equipment fails, the consequences can be life-altering for workers and their families. A serious injury can instantly change your future, leaving you with physical pain, emotional distress, and significant financial burdens.
If a catastrophic injury has occurred on a construction site due to another party’s negligence, a dedicated California construction accident attorney from Reiner & Frankl, LLP, can help you understand your rights and options. For over 40 years, our team has provided calm, competent, and determined legal representation to residents of Northern California.
Key Takeaways about California Construction Accident Claims
- A person injured on a construction site may have a personal injury claim against a third party, separate from any workers’ compensation benefits.
- Third parties can include general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, or manufacturers of defective equipment whose negligence contributed to the incident.
- Common causes of construction injuries involve falls, equipment failure, electrocutions, and being struck by objects or vehicles.
- California law requires that construction sites be maintained in a reasonably safe condition for all individuals lawfully on the premises.
- Successful claims can provide financial recovery for medical expenses, lost income, and the personal impact of the injury.
Why Choose Reiner & Frankel, LLP, for Your California Construction Accident Case?
When you are dealing with a severe injury, the legal counsel you choose can make all the difference. Reiner & Frankel, LLP, brings a unique combination of local dedication and nationally recognized legal skill to your corner. For over four decades, our firm has been a steadfast advocate for the injured in Redding, Chico, and throughout Northern California. We are not a high-volume settlement mill; we are trial attorneys who meticulously prepare every case as if it will be presented to a jury.
Our track record speaks to our commitment:
- Proven Results: We have secured more than $600 million for our clients and won the largest single-plaintiff jury verdict in the history of Shasta County.
- Local Knowledge: We live and work where you do. We understand the local courts, procedures, and community values in a way that out-of-town firms simply cannot. This local insight is a powerful advantage.
- Trial-Ready Approach: Our reputation for being willing and able to take a case to trial often encourages insurance companies and defendants to offer more just settlements. They know we have the resources and resolve to see a case through to the end.
We are proud to be part of this community, and our commitment is to the people who live here. We will be honest and candid about your case from our very first conversation, providing the clear, principled guidance you deserve.
Understanding Liability in Northern California Construction Accidents
After a construction site injury, many people believe their only option for financial assistance is through workers’ compensation. While workers’ compensation provides certain benefits, it often falls short of covering the full scope of losses from a catastrophic injury, as it typically does not account for pain and suffering. However, California law allows for another path to justice in many cases: a third-party liability claim.
A third-party claim is a personal injury lawsuit filed against a negligent person or company—other than your direct employer—who was responsible for your injury. Construction sites are complex environments with many different companies and contractors working alongside one another. If the carelessness of one of these outside parties caused your injury, they can be held accountable.
Potential third parties in a construction accident case could include:
- The general contractor who failed to enforce safety standards on the site.
- A subcontractor whose employee operated a vehicle carelessly.
- The manufacturer of a defective ladder, power tool, or heavy machine.
- An architect or engineer who designed an unsafe structure.
- The owner of the property where the construction is taking place.
Pursuing a third-party claim allows you to seek recovery for the full range of your damages, including the profound personal impact the injury has had on your life.
Common Causes of Construction Site Injuries in the Redding Area
The push for development across Shasta and Butte counties means that construction sites are a common sight. While these projects are essential, they must be managed with an unwavering focus on safety. Unfortunately, violations of safety standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and its state counterpart, Cal/OSHA, are a frequent factor in serious injuries.
When contractors or property owners cut corners on safety, workers are the ones who pay the price. Our firm has seen firsthand how a single moment of negligence can lead to devastating harm. Some of the most common causes of serious construction accidents include:
- Falls from Heights: These incidents, often involving unsecured ladders, faulty scaffolding, or unprotected roof edges, are a leading cause of catastrophic injury and death in the construction industry.
- Struck-By Incidents: Workers can be struck by falling tools or building materials, swinging crane loads, or construction vehicles with large blind spots.
- Electrocution: Contact with exposed wiring, poorly maintained electrical equipment, or overhead power lines can cause severe burns and internal injuries.
- Equipment Malfunctions: Defective design or poor maintenance of heavy machinery like cranes, bulldozers, excavators, and forklifts can lead to tragic accidents.
- Trench Collapses: Trenches that are not properly shored or sloped according to safety regulations can collapse, trapping and critically injuring workers inside.
These incidents are rarely “accidents” in the truest sense of the word. They are often the predictable result of a failure to prioritize the well-being of the people working on-site.
The Devastating Impact of Construction Injuries
An injury on a construction site is often severe and can permanently alter a person’s ability to work and enjoy life. Our firm has a significant practice representing clients with the most serious types of injuries, and we understand the immense medical and personal challenges they create. We are dedicated to helping clients secure the resources they need to manage their new reality and build a stable future for their families.
We frequently represent individuals who have sustained:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): A fall or a blow to the head can cause a TBI, leading to lifelong cognitive, physical, and emotional difficulties. These injuries require extensive and costly long-term care.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, changing every aspect of a person’s life and requiring home modifications, assistive devices, and round-the-clock medical support.
- Amputations: Accidents involving heavy machinery or crushing forces can lead to the loss of a limb, which brings profound physical and psychological challenges.
- Severe Burns: Electrical accidents or explosions can cause debilitating burns that require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and extensive rehabilitation for recovery.
- Internal Organ Damage: The blunt force trauma from a fall or a vehicle-related incident can cause severe damage to internal organs, often requiring emergency surgery and a long recovery period.
The financial cost of these injuries is staggering, but the personal cost—the loss of independence, chronic pain, and emotional distress—is immeasurable.
Your Rights as an Injured Individual in California
Under California law, property owners and contractors have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This principle is outlined in legal standards that require individuals and companies to use reasonable care to prevent harm to others. When they fail to meet this standard through a careless act or an omission, it is called negligence. To hold a third party responsible for your injuries, you must demonstrate that their negligence was a direct cause of the harm you suffered.
If a third party is found to be negligent, you have the right to seek financial compensation, known as “damages,” for your losses. This recovery is intended to help make you whole again, at least from a financial perspective.
Damages in a California construction accident claim may include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers all past and future medical care, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medication, and in-home care.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you have lost while unable to work.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job or working at all, you can recover the income you would have reasonably earned over your lifetime.
- Pain and Suffering: This accounts for the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the injury.
Our legal system provides this path so that the financial burden of a serious injury rests with the party who caused it, not with the innocent person who was harmed.
How a California Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you are dealing with a serious injury, your focus should be on your health and your family. The legal process can be complex, but a skilled attorney can manage every detail on your behalf. At Reiner & Frankel, LLP, we have a methodical approach designed to build the strongest possible case while providing you with peace of mind.
Here is what you can expect when you work with our firm:
- A Thorough and Immediate Investigation: We move quickly to preserve crucial evidence from the construction site. This includes taking photographs, interviewing witnesses, securing video footage, and obtaining all relevant reports and safety records. Our deep roots in the Redding area mean we know the local investigators and industry consultants whose analysis juries trust.
- Identification of All Responsible Parties: We look beyond the obvious to determine every person or company that may share responsibility for what happened. This could be a general contractor with a poor safety record, a parts manufacturer that sold a defective product, or a subcontractor who failed to train its employees properly.
- A Complete Assessment of Your Damages: We work with respected medical specialists, life care planners, and financial professionals to calculate the full, long-term cost of your injury. We don’t just look at the current medical bills; we project the future costs for a lifetime of care, ensuring your financial security.
- Strategic Negotiation with Insurance Companies: We handle all communications with the defendants and their insurance carriers. We will assemble and present a comprehensive demand package that clearly outlines their liability and the extent of your damages. Our reputation as skilled trial lawyers means our demands are taken seriously.
- Unyielding Advocacy in Court: While most cases settle before trial, our willingness to present a case to a jury is our greatest strength. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we have the experience, resources, and resolve to fight for you in court.
In recent years, many large, out-of-town law firms have started advertising heavily in Northern California. They may have slick commercials, but they lack the one thing that matters most in a local case: genuine community connection. They don’t know the nuances of the Shasta County Superior Court or what resonates with a jury in Butte County.
Reiner & Frankel, LLP, is different. We are a local firm with a national reputation. We have been part of this community for decades. Our commitment is demonstrated not just in the courtroom, but through our actions, such as giving away child safety seats, bicycle helmets, and life vests to keep local families safe. We understand the values of our neighbors because we are your neighbors. This deep connection, combined with our powerful legal resources, gives our clients a distinct advantage when it matters most.
California Construction Accident FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about construction accident claims in California.
What if I was partially at fault for my construction accident?
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially to blame for the incident. However, your total recovery amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 10% at fault, your final award would be reduced by 10%.
How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. There are some exceptions, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Can a visitor or passerby injured on or near a construction site file a claim?
Yes. Property owners and general contractors have a duty to keep their sites reasonably safe for the public as well as for workers. If a non-employee is injured by a falling object, an unsecured hazard, or a construction vehicle, they may have a valid premises liability claim against the negligent parties.
How much does it cost to hire a construction accident attorney?
Reiner & Frankel, LLP, handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or attorney’s fees. We only collect a fee if and when we successfully recover money for you, either through a settlement or a jury verdict. Our fee is a percentage of the amount we recover.
What kind of evidence is important in a construction accident case?
Crucial evidence can include photographs of the scene and your injuries, contact information for any witnesses, copies of incident reports filed with the employer or site supervisor, and preservation of any defective equipment involved. An attorney can help you gather and protect this vital information.
Contact Reiner & Frankel, LLP for a Confidential Consultation
Russel Reiner, California Construction Accident Attorney
Reiner & Frankel, LLP, offers personalized legal solutions for your accident-related needs. We understand that no two cases are alike and that every client deserves individual attention and a strategy tailored to their unique circumstances. Our highly qualified team is committed to helping those who have been injured obtain the maximum compensation possible.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a construction accident, please contact us today at (530) 241-0290 or through our online form for a free, confidential consultation. We will listen to your story, discuss the details of what happened, answer your questions, and provide an honest assessment of your case.