Redding and the surrounding Shasta County area are growing, with new construction projects changing our skyline and infrastructure. From developments along the Sacramento River to vital work on Interstate 5, these job sites are a sign of progress. However, they are also inherently dangerous places. When safety protocols are ignored, 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 strain, and financial uncertainty.
If a catastrophic injury has occurred on a construction site, you need calm, competent, and determined guidance. For over 40 years, the legal team at Reiner & Frankel, LLP has provided exactly that. We are a local firm with a national reputation for holding negligent parties accountable. As experienced Redding construction accident attorneys, we understand the challenges you face and have the resources to help you seek justice.
Why Choose Reiner & Frankel, LLP, for Your Redding Construction Accident Claim?
When you are dealing with the effects of a serious construction injury, the law firm you choose is one of the most important decisions you will make. Reiner & Frankel, LLP is not a high-volume settlement mill; we are a dedicated team of trial lawyers who prepare every case for the courtroom. Our history of success, built over four decades, includes recovering more than $600 million for our clients and securing the largest single-plaintiff jury verdict in the history of Shasta County.
Our commitment to our clients is rooted in our deep connection to the Redding community.
- Local Knowledge, National Resources: Unlike out-of-town firms, we live and work here. We know the local courts, judges, and medical professionals whose opinions are respected by Shasta County juries. We combine this local insight with the resources to take on the largest insurance companies and corporations.
- A Focus on Serious Injuries: Our practice is centered on helping those who have suffered the most severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and amputations. We understand the true, long-term cost of these injuries.
- Proven Trial Experience: Our willingness to take a case to trial is our greatest strength. Insurance companies know we will not accept a lowball offer and are fully prepared to present your case to a jury. This resolve often leads to more meaningful settlement discussions.
We believe in being honest and candid about the strength of your case from our very first conversation. Our goal is to provide you with the clarity and powerful representation needed to move forward.
Understanding Construction Accidents in the Redding Area
Construction sites are complex environments with many different companies, contractors, and workers operating simultaneously. Safety is supposed to be the top priority, governed by strict state and federal regulations. Unfortunately, when deadlines are prioritized over safety, or when proper training and equipment are not provided, preventable accidents happen.
A successful personal injury claim requires establishing three key elements: that another party was at fault (negligent), that this negligence caused your injury, and that there is a source of recovery, typically an insurance policy.
Negligence on a construction site can take many forms, from a general contractor failing to maintain a safe work area to a subcontractor operating machinery carelessly. The key is demonstrating that someone failed in their duty to keep the site reasonably safe, directly leading to your harm. As your Redding construction accident lawyer, our first job is to investigate precisely what went wrong and why.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Construction Site Injury?
While an injured worker may have a workers’ compensation claim, this system often provides limited benefits and does not cover all of the losses from a catastrophic injury. Workers’ compensation also prevents you from suing your direct employer.
However, in many construction accidents, a separate company or individual—a “third party”—is responsible for the dangerous condition that caused the injury. In these situations, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against that negligent third party.
Identifying all potentially liable parties is a critical step in securing full and fair compensation. These parties may include:
- General Contractors: They have a primary responsibility for overall site safety and the actions of their subcontractors.
- Subcontractors: Another company working on the site whose employee’s carelessness caused your injury.
- Property Owners or Developers: The owners of the land may be held responsible if they were aware of a hazardous condition and failed to address it.
- Equipment Manufacturers: If your injury was caused by a defective crane, faulty power tool, or other malfunctioning equipment, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law.
- Architects and Engineers: In some cases, a flawed design of a structure or safety system can contribute to an accident.
Pursuing a third-party claim allows you to seek compensation for damages not covered by workers’ compensation, such as pain and suffering. Our team meticulously investigates the relationships between all entities on a job site to determine every potential source of accountability.
Common Causes of Serious Construction Injuries
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies a set of common hazards that are the leading causes of death and serious injury in the construction industry. These incidents are almost always preventable and typically point to a failure to follow established safety rules. As your construction accident attorney, we have experience investigating cases involving all types of construction site incidents.
Some of the most frequent causes of severe injuries include:
- Falls from Heights: These are the leading cause of fatalities in construction. Falls can happen from scaffolding that was improperly assembled, unsecured ladders, rooftops without proper guardrails, or open-sided floors.
- Struck-By Incidents: This category includes injuries from falling tools or materials, as well as being hit by heavy equipment like forklifts, cranes, or trucks moving through the site.
- Electrocutions: Contact with live power lines, exposed wires, or faulty electrical equipment can cause devastating burns, neurological damage, and cardiac arrest.
- Trench or Excavation Collapses: When trenches are not properly shored or protected according to OSHA standards, the walls can suddenly give way, leading to crushing or suffocation injuries.
- Equipment Malfunctions: Defective machinery, poorly maintained vehicles, or tools without proper safety guards can cause amputations, fractures, and other traumatic injuries.
Investigating these incidents involves a deep understanding of the specific regulations set forth by both federal OSHA and California’s own Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA.
The Devastating Impact of Construction-Related Injuries
An accident on a construction site can result in catastrophic injuries that affect every aspect of a person’s life. At Reiner & Frankel, LLP, we have significant experience representing clients with the most serious types of harm, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis, severe burns, and amputations.
We understand that the impact of these injuries goes far beyond the initial hospital stay. You may be facing a future of ongoing medical treatments, surgeries, and physical therapy. Your ability to work and provide for your family may be permanently altered. The physical pain is often accompanied by significant emotional and psychological distress.
Our approach is to build a case that reflects the total impact of the injury on your life, ensuring that any resolution accounts for your needs not just today, but for decades to come.
Your Rights After a Construction Accident in Redding
When you are injured because of another party’s negligence, California law allows you to seek financial recovery, known as “damages,” to compensate you for your losses. The goal is to make you whole again, at least from a financial perspective. A Redding construction accident attorney can help you identify and calculate the full extent of these damages.
Damages are typically broken down into two main categories:
- Economic Damages: These are the tangible, calculable financial losses you have incurred. This includes all past and future medical bills, lost wages from time off work, and loss of future earning capacity if you are unable to return to your previous job.
- Non-Economic Damages: These are the intangible losses that are harder to assign a dollar value to but are no less real. This category covers physical pain, mental suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement.
Calculating the true value of a serious injury case requires careful analysis and often involves consulting with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to project future costs and losses accurately.
How Our Redding Construction Accident Attorneys Can Help
We hope you never need our services, but if a catastrophic injury has happened, we are here to provide clear, steady, and effective representation. Our process is designed to lift the burden from your shoulders so you can focus on your recovery. We are honest and candid from the start, and we manage every detail of your case with the professionalism it deserves.
- Your First Contact with Our Law Firm
Your first call to us is always free and completely confidential. You will speak with a compassionate member of our team who will listen to what happened. We will schedule a time for you to speak directly with an attorney who can answer your initial questions. - Our Initial Assessment of Your Case
During your free consultation, an experienced attorney will review the details of your situation. We will ask questions to understand the circumstances of the accident, the nature of your injuries, and the parties involved. Based on this, we will give you our honest assessment of the potential for a third-party personal injury claim. - We Conduct a Thorough Investigation
If we move forward together, our team immediately begins an in-depth investigation. This may involve visiting the accident scene, preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining all relevant documents, such as police reports, OSHA findings, and company safety records. We work with highly respected local and national experts—engineers, safety consultants, and accident reconstructionists—to build the strongest possible case. - We Send a Demand Package to the Parties at Fault
Once we have a complete picture of liability and a clear understanding of your long-term damages, we compile a comprehensive demand package. This document lays out the facts of the case, the legal basis for the at-fault party’s responsibility, and a detailed accounting of your losses. It is presented to the responsible parties’ insurance companies to begin negotiations. - We Provide Determined Representation in Negotiations and at Trial
Many cases are resolved through a negotiated settlement. However, our reputation as skilled trial lawyers is a powerful asset. Insurance companies know that if they do not make a fair offer, we have the resolve and the resources to take your case before a Shasta County jury. Our willingness to go to court is what encourages meaningful settlements and ensures you are never pressured to accept less than your case is worth.
We Know Redding and Northern California
In a serious injury case, local knowledge matters. The legal community in Shasta County is distinct, and having a law firm that understands its dynamics is a significant advantage. The attorneys at Reiner & Frankel, LLP have spent decades practicing in the courts of Northern California. We know the local procedures, we have working relationships with opposing counsel, and we understand what resonates with local juries.
This is our home. We are invested in the well-being of our community, a commitment we show not only in the courtroom but also through initiatives like giving away child safety seats, bicycle helmets, and life vests to local families. When you choose our firm, you are not just hiring a lawyer; you are partnering with a team that is deeply rooted in and dedicated to the people of Redding.
Redding Construction Accident Claim FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions our clients have about construction accident claims.
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 accident. However, your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, 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 to this rule, but it is crucial to act quickly. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this time frame, you may lose your right to seek compensation forever.
What is the difference between a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit?
A workers’ compensation claim is a no-fault system that provides specific benefits (medical care, temporary disability payments) through your employer’s insurance, regardless of who caused the accident. A personal injury lawsuit is filed against a negligent third party (not your employer) and allows you to pursue a wider range of damages, including pain and suffering, which is not available through workers’ comp.
What if a defective tool or piece of machinery caused my injury?
If a piece of equipment was defectively designed, manufactured, or lacked adequate warnings, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor of that product. This is a separate cause of action from a standard negligence claim and requires a specific legal approach.
How much does it cost to hire a construction accident attorney in Redding, California?
At Reiner & Frankel, LLP, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees, and we only earn a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the final settlement or verdict, so you never have to worry about paying out of pocket.
Contact Our Redding Construction Accident Lawyer Today
Russell Reiner, Redding Construction Accident Attorney
If a catastrophic injury on a construction site has turned your world upside down, please know that you do not have to face this challenge by yourself. Reiner & Frankel, LLP offers personalized legal solutions for all of your accident-related needs. We know that every client has individual needs that should be met, and our highly qualified team is committed to helping you reclaim the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation. We will discuss the details of your accident with you, explore every aspect of what happened, and provide the calm, competent, and aggressive representation needed to right this wrong.