Orange County Construction Accident Lawyer
The construction accident attorneys at Bentley & More LLP represent workers across Orange County who have suffered serious injuries on some of the region’s most hazardous job sites. While construction plays a vital role in driving development throughout Southern California, it also carries significant safety risks.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry consistently ranks among the most dangerous in the United States, with a notably high rate of severe and fatal incidents.
When an accident occurs on a job site in cities such as Anaheim, Irvine, or Santa Ana, the effects can be profound. Injured workers may be left facing extended recovery periods, loss of income, and long-term physical challenges.
If you were injured while working on a construction project, you have the right to pursue compensation. However, these claims often involve complex issues, particularly when multiple contractors, vendors, or insurers are involved. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling these matters and are prepared to advocate for your interests from the outset.
At Bentley & More LLP, we are committed to holding negligent parties accountable and have a strong history of achieving favorable outcomes for injured workers. To speak with a member of our team, contact us at (949) 870-3800 to schedule a free consultation.
How Our Attorneys Help Injured Construction Workers in Orange County
A serious construction accident often leaves injured workers facing a combination of medical challenges, financial strain, and uncertainty about their legal options. While many begin by filing for workers’ compensation, those benefits frequently fail to cover all medical expenses and lost income.
At Bentley & More LLP, we take a comprehensive approach that includes both workers’ compensation support and the pursuit of potential third-party claims. Our personal injury attorneys have extensive knowledge of California’s workers’ compensation system and years of experience handling complex personal injury litigation. We begin by guiding clients through the process of securing medical treatment and temporary benefits.
At the same time, we conduct a detailed investigation of the job site and the circumstances surrounding the accident. We examine whether a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or general contractor may have contributed to the incident.
Construction sites in areas such as Anaheim, Irvine, and Santa Ana often involve many companies working simultaneously, which can increase the risk of safety lapses. When a company neglects its responsibility to maintain safe conditions, workers may suffer the consequences.
If we identify a third party that bears responsibility, we move forward with a separate personal injury claim to pursue additional compensation beyond what the workers’ compensation system provides. These cases require careful management. It is important to preserve evidence promptly, document the full extent of the injuries, and gather witness testimony early in the process.
We also work closely with experts in structural engineering, safety compliance, heavy equipment, and medical care to ensure each case is fully supported. Our legal team is equipped to take on major contractors, developers, and insurance companies. Because we prepare each case as if it will go to trial, we are able to negotiate from a strong position and pursue the best possible outcome for our clients.
Other law firms regularly turn to Bentley & More LLP for help with construction injury cases that demand a strategic, thorough, and experienced legal team.
The Legal Framework of an Orange County Construction Accident
Understanding your legal options is an important step after a construction injury. In California, if you’re hurt on the job, you may have access to two different legal paths: a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party personal injury lawsuit.
These are separate systems with different rules, and in many cases, you may be able to pursue both. An experienced Orange County construction site injury lawyer can help you move through both processes.
California’s Workers’ Compensation System
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system required by most employers in California. Because it is a no-fault system, you do not need to prove that your employer caused the accident to receive benefits. If your injury happened while performing your job duties, you are generally covered.
Workers’ compensation offers several types of support:
- Medical Care: Covers all reasonable medical treatment related to your injury, including doctor visits, hospital care, medications, and therapy.
- Temporary Disability Benefits: Replaces part of your lost wages while you recover and are unable to work, as certified by your doctor.
- Permanent Disability Benefits: Provides compensation if your injury results in lasting physical or mental limits that affect your ability to work.
- Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits: Offers a voucher to help pay for retraining or new job skills if you cannot return to your previous job due to your injury.
In most situations, workers’ compensation is considered your only option for legal action against your direct employer. This rule is known as the exclusive remedy doctrine, and it means you generally cannot sue your employer for negligence, even if unsafe conditions caused your injury. However, workers’ compensation does not include payments for pain, suffering, or reduced quality of life.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Construction Accident
The exclusive remedy rule applies only to your employer. On most construction sites, from smaller jobs in Santa Ana to large-scale projects in Irvine, multiple companies often share the same space. General contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment suppliers, engineers, and architects may all be working at the same time.
If someone other than your employer was responsible for the unsafe condition that caused your injury, you may have the right to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit. These claims allow you to seek compensation beyond what workers’ comp provides, including damages for pain, emotional stress, and long-term hardship.
A knowledgeable Orange County construction accident lawyer can investigate your case to identify any third parties whose carelessness may have contributed to the incident. Filing both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party lawsuit is often the best way to pursue a full financial recovery.
Common Causes of Serious Construction Accidents
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified four main hazards that account for the majority of construction-related fatalities. Referred to as the “Fatal Four,” these risks highlight the importance of consistent safety practices on job sites across Southern California.
1. Falls from Heights
Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. These incidents often result from inadequate fall protection, poor training, or failure to follow basic safety procedures. Our firm handles a wide range of fall-related claims, including:
- Scaffolding Failures: Scaffolding must be designed, installed, and maintained by qualified personnel. Accidents can occur due to improper assembly, overloaded platforms, or lack of inspection.
- Ladder Accidents: Many falls happen when ladders are unstable, damaged, or used incorrectly. Choosing the wrong type of ladder or placing it on uneven ground increases the risk.
- Roof and Skylight Falls: Roof work poses serious hazards, especially when edges are unguarded or skylights are left uncovered. Lightweight materials like plastic or plywood may not prevent a fall. Our attorneys regularly apply OSHA regulations, including 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M, to evaluate safety violations in these cases.
These types of falls are almost always preventable when proper safety measures are followed, which is why identifying failures in training, supervision, or site conditions is often central to a successful legal claim.
2. Struck-By Accidents
Struck-by injuries happen when a worker is hit by a moving or falling object. These incidents are common in active job sites where equipment, tools, and vehicles are constantly in use.
Common examples include incidents where workers are hit by falling tools, swinging crane loads, or vehicles like forklifts and dump trucks. These accidents often occur in crowded work areas where visibility is limited or safety signals are not properly used.
3. Electrocution Hazards
Exposure to live electricity is a serious and sometimes hidden danger on construction sites. Contact with electrical currents can lead to severe burns, internal damage, heart failure, or fatal injury.
Risk factors include overhead or underground power lines, exposed wiring or damaged cords, and ungrounded or faulty tools and equipment. Preventing these incidents requires proper grounding, routine inspections, and enforcement of electrical safety rules on every job site.
4. Caught-In and Caught-Between Incidents
These accidents occur when workers are trapped, crushed, or pulled into equipment or between objects. Though sometimes confused with struck-by hazards, they have distinct causes and often involve severe injuries.
- Caught-In Accidents: These involve workers pulled into unguarded machines, such as rotating gears or conveyor belts, often due to missing safety guards or bypassed controls.
- Caught-Between Accidents: These happen when a worker is pinned between a moving object, like a vehicle or machine, and a fixed structure, such as a wall or barrier.
- Trench Collapses: Trenches deeper than five feet require protective systems, such as shoring or sloping. When these safeguards are ignored, workers may be buried under collapsing soil. OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P sets the standards for trench safety.
- Machinery-Related Injuries: Construction machinery must be maintained and operated safely. Workers can be caught or crushed when equipment is used in confined spaces, lacks guards, or is not properly shut down.
Reducing these risks requires thorough training, clear communication, and a commitment to enforcing job site safety procedures at every level of the project.
Identifying Liable Parties in a Construction Injury Case
Successful third-party injury claims rely on identifying all parties whose negligence contributed to unsafe conditions. Construction sites involve many overlapping responsibilities, making it essential to examine the roles of general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and others. An experienced Orange County construction injury attorney can assess liability across multiple levels.
- General Contractors: Responsible for overall site safety, coordinating trades, enforcing safety protocols, and addressing hazards. If they fail to maintain a safe job site, they may be held liable for resulting injuries.
- Subcontractors: Must complete their work safely and avoid creating risks for others. Liability may arise from leaving hazards like exposed wiring, open floor holes, or debris in walkways.
- Property Owners/Developers: Have a duty to maintain safe premises and warn of hidden dangers not obvious to contractors or workers.
- Architects and Engineers: May share responsibility if an injury results from a design flaw or engineering mistake.
- Equipment Manufacturers: Can be held liable through a product liability claim if defective machinery, tools, or safety gear caused the accident.
When a piece of equipment fails due to a design or manufacturing flaw, the company that made or sold it may be accountable for the harm that follows.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Construction Site Injury?
When a serious injury occurs on a construction site, it can be difficult to know where to turn or what steps to take. Speaking with an experienced Orange County construction accident lawyer can help you understand the compensation options available to you and guide you through the legal process during a challenging time.
Most construction workers who suffer injuries on the job begin with a workers’ compensation claim. This no-fault system, established under California law, offers defined benefits such as coverage for medical treatment and partial wage replacement.
Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, you may also be entitled to temporary or permanent disability payments. While these benefits are an important source of support, they often fall short of covering the full extent of the physical, emotional, and financial impact.
If your injury was caused in part by someone other than your direct employer, you may also be able to bring a third-party personal injury lawsuit. This type of claim allows you to pursue a wider range of damages than what is available through workers’ compensation.
You may seek full reimbursement for medical costs, both current and future, as well as compensation for lost income, diminished earning capacity, and non-economic losses such as physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
In the event of a fatal construction accident, California law allows surviving family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, they may seek compensation for the loss of financial support, companionship, and other contributions the deceased would have provided.
Important Deadlines for Filing an Orange County Construction Injury Claim
Timely action is one of the most important factors in preserving your ability to recover compensation. California law imposes strict deadlines for filing both workers’ compensation claims and third-party lawsuits related to construction injuries.
To begin the workers’ compensation process, you must notify your employer in writing within 30 days of the injury. From there, you generally have one year from the date of the incident to file your claim with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.
If you plan to pursue a third-party personal injury lawsuit, the law allows a two-year window from the date of your injury to file your case in civil court. This statute of limitations, found in California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, is firm. Once it expires, your ability to recover damages through the court system may be permanently barred.
Given these strict timelines and the importance of preserving evidence before it is lost or altered, it is in your best interest to consult with a knowledgeable Orange County construction accident lawyer as soon as possible after your injury.
Talk to a Construction Accident Lawyer in Orange County Today
A serious injury on a construction site can affect nearly every part of your life, from your health and income to your ability to care for yourself and your family. You may be facing medical expenses, missed work, and long-term concerns about your recovery and stability. In these circumstances, experienced legal support can provide direction and peace of mind.
Greg Bentley & Keith More, Construction Accident Injury Lawyers
At Bentley & More LLP, we represent injured construction workers throughout Orange County and across Southern California. Our team takes the time to understand your specific situation, explain your legal options in plain language, and develop a case that reflects the full impact of your injuries and losses.
To learn more about how we can help, contact our firm to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Orange County construction accident attorney. Call Bentley & More LLP today at (949) 870-3800.
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Bentley & More LLP – Orange County Office
Phone: (949) 870-3800