Construction Accidents

While employees in any profession face occupational hazards every day, construction workers face some of the most dangerous work conditions. Most construction workers deal with heavy equipment, potentially dangerous tools, and hazardous substances, often while working high in the air or below the ground. Employees injured in a California construction accident can pursue a workers’ compensation claim to help them cover the costs associated with their work-related injuries. At Krolikowski Law, Orange County construction accident lawyer Adam Krolikowski skillfully prepares workers’ compensation claims so that his clients can remain focused on their recovery. He has compiled more than 20 years of experience helping construction workers and their families pursue compensation.

People who work in construction understand that not all construction work is the same, and that any large project requires many workers with highly specialized skills. Naturally, the specific hazards facing a construction worker will depend on their type of work. For example, pipefitters, electricians, carpenters, heavy equipment operators, and ironworkers all face unique hazards. That said, a construction site poses many shared risks as well. Some of the most commonly seen construction accidents involve the following:

• Scaffolding accidents
• Trenching and excavation injuries
• Crane and forklift accidents
• Explosions
• Electrocution accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Chemical burns
• Being struck by a falling object
• Getting trapped in or between heavy machinery

Construction accidents frequently result in workers suffering serious, and sometimes life-changing, injuries. As a result of these injuries, construction workers will likely miss weeks of work and accrue significant medical expenses. In this situation, a construction accident attorney in Orange County can help an injured worker pursue benefits.

The main type of construction accident claim is a workers’ compensation claim. The workers’ compensation program allows injured construction workers to obtain monetary benefits to cover the costs of their medical treatment, and it provides ongoing disability benefits while an injured worker is recovering. Since the workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system, an employee does not need to establish that their employer was at fault. Thus, the process of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits tends to be much faster than the process of resolving a personal injury lawsuit. However, the trade-off is that employees who are eligible for workers’ compensation cannot generally sue their employer because, under the state’s workers’ compensation laws, a workers’ compensation claim is an injured worker’s sole remedy against their employer. The other limitation on workers’ compensation claims is that they do not allow for the payment of non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

An Orange County construction accident attorney also may be able to help a worker pursue a personal injury claim. While the exclusive remedy provision prevents an employee from bringing a claim against their employer after a construction accident, it does not stop them from bringing a claim based on a third party’s negligence. In the context of a construction accident, a negligent third party may be another contractor, a manufacturer of a piece of equipment, or a property owner. If they are successful, an injured worker can recover both economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury lawsuit. However, unlike with a workers’ compensation claim, to establish liability in a personal injury case, an injured worker must be able to prove that the third party was negligent.

If you or a loved one has recently suffered serious injuries in a construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation. However, the intersection of personal injury law and workers’ compensation law is complex, and accident victims should consult a knowledgeable construction accident lawyer in Orange County as soon as possible to obtain sound advice on how to proceed. Attorney Krolikowski has successfully represented injured workers in Orange County and across Southern California since 2004. Attorney Krolikowski effectively navigates clients’ cases through the personal injury and workers’ compensation processes, diligently working toward a favorable result at every step of the way. With his experience behind you, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands. To learn more, contact Krolikowski Law at (949) 274-9915 to schedule a free consultation today.