Construction is one of California’s most dangerous industries. Workers face daily risks from falls, heavy equipment, electrical hazards, and unsafe conditions. When a construction accident injures you, the consequences extend beyond physical pain—mounting medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about your future create overwhelming stress. At Dordick Law Corporation, we represent injured construction workers throughout Riverside. We handle both workers’ compensation claims and third-party construction accident lawsuits to recover the maximum compensation you deserve. Our experienced attorneys understand construction industry practices, safety regulations, and insurance tactics. Contact us today for a free consultation—no recovery, no fee.
Why Construction Accidents Require Legal Representation
Construction accidents differ fundamentally from standard workplace injuries. While workers’ compensation provides baseline benefits, it often falls short of covering your full losses. Construction sites involve multiple contractors, equipment manufacturers, and property owners—creating opportunities for third-party liability claims that can recover significantly more compensation.
Insurance companies and contractors employ sophisticated defense strategies. Without legal representation, you risk accepting inadequate settlements. An experienced construction accident lawyer levels the playing field by investigating your accident thoroughly, identifying all liable parties, and negotiating aggressively for fair compensation.
Construction workers have rights beyond workers’ compensation, including third-party claims against negligent contractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers. These claims can recover pain and suffering damages, permanent disability compensation, and punitive damages in cases of gross negligence. The key is having an attorney who understands both the workers’ compensation system and personal injury law.
Common Construction Accidents and Injuries in Riverside
Construction accidents take many forms, each with unique liability considerations. Falls from heights remain the leading cause of construction fatalities and serious injuries. Struck-by accidents occur when workers are hit by falling objects, equipment, or vehicles. Caught-in and caught-between accidents involve workers trapped between machinery or structural elements. Electrocution hazards arise from contact with live wires or faulty equipment. Repetitive strain injuries develop over time from job duties.
Understanding the “Fatal Four” OSHA Categories
OSHA identifies four accident types responsible for the majority of construction deaths: falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in/caught-between accidents, and electrocutions. Understanding these hazards helps establish negligence when contractors fail to implement required safety measures.
Falls account for approximately 39% of construction fatalities. These accidents occur when workers lack proper fall protection, guardrails, or safety nets. Struck-by accidents represent approximately 8-9% of construction deaths. These incidents happen when falling objects, equipment, or vehicles strike workers. Caught-in/caught-between incidents cause approximately 5% of construction fatalities. These accidents involve workers trapped between machinery, structural elements, or equipment. Electrocutions account for approximately 8% of construction deaths. These hazards arise from contact with live wires, faulty equipment, or inadequate electrical safety measures.
When contractors fail to provide proper fall protection, equipment guarding, or electrical safety measures, they create liability for injured workers. Dordick Law Corporation investigates whether your accident involved violations of OSHA standards or Cal/OSHA regulations, strengthening your claim for third-party liability. Our team has recovered millions in construction accident settlements for injured workers.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims
California’s workers’ compensation system provides no-fault benefits regardless of who caused your accident. You receive medical coverage and wage replacement without proving negligence. However, workers’ comp benefits are limited—they don’t cover pain and suffering, and wage replacement typically caps at two-thirds of your average weekly earnings.
Third-party claims allow you to sue negligent parties outside the workers’ compensation system. If another contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or site supervisor caused your injury through negligence, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit. These claims recover full compensation, including pain and suffering, permanent disability, and punitive damages in cases of gross negligence.
Maximizing Your Recovery Through Dual Claims
The most effective strategy combines workers’ compensation benefits with third-party lawsuits. Workers’ comp covers your immediate medical needs and lost wages while you pursue a third-party claim for additional damages. This dual approach ensures you receive all available compensation without sacrificing either claim.
Dordick Law Corporation handles both simultaneously, protecting your rights at every stage. We file workers’ compensation claims promptly to ensure you receive immediate benefits. Simultaneously, we investigate third-party liability, identify negligent parties, and prepare your personal injury lawsuit. This comprehensive approach maximizes your total recovery.
For example, if you suffered a serious fall due to missing guardrails, workers’ comp covers your medical treatment and partial lost wages. Your third-party claim against the general contractor who failed to install guardrails can recover pain and suffering, permanent disability, and punitive damages. Together, these claims provide comprehensive compensation. Our case results demonstrate our success in securing maximum recovery for injured construction workers.
Identifying Liable Parties in Construction Accidents
Construction sites involve multiple parties, and determining liability requires careful investigation. General contractors bear responsibility for site safety and must enforce OSHA regulations. Subcontractors are liable for negligence in their specific work areas. Equipment manufacturers can be held responsible for defective machinery or inadequate warnings. Property owners may be liable for unsafe site conditions. Supervisors and foremen can face personal liability for directing unsafe work practices.
Dordick Law Corporation investigates every accident to identify all potentially liable parties. This comprehensive approach maximizes your recovery by pursuing claims against every negligent party involved. We examine OSHA violation reports, safety records, equipment maintenance logs, and contractor licensing to establish negligence and liability.
Our investigation process includes reviewing incident reports, interviewing witnesses, analyzing safety protocols, examining equipment condition, and consulting with construction safety experts. We identify whether violations of Cal/OSHA standards occurred, whether proper safety equipment was provided, and whether contractors followed industry best practices. Multiple liable parties mean multiple sources of compensation for your injuries. Our Riverside office has successfully handled hundreds of construction accident cases.
The Construction Accident Claims Process
After a construction accident, you have specific deadlines and procedural requirements. You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days to preserve workers’ compensation benefits. For third-party claims, California’s statute of limitations allows two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. However, evidence preservation cannot wait—critical evidence disappears quickly from construction sites.
Our attorneys immediately investigate your accident, secure evidence, interview witnesses, and preserve documentation. We file workers’ compensation claims promptly while simultaneously investigating third-party liability. This dual-track approach ensures you receive all available benefits without sacrificing either claim.
We gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, OSHA investigation files, and photographic evidence of unsafe conditions. We preserve equipment involved in the accident and document the site conditions at the time of injury. We also obtain contractor safety records, insurance information, and licensing documentation. This comprehensive evidence collection strengthens both your workers’ compensation claim and your third-party lawsuit.
The timeline for construction accident claims varies. Workers’ compensation benefits typically begin within weeks of your claim filing. Third-party lawsuits may take 12-24 months to resolve through settlement or trial. However, the sooner you contact an attorney, the better we can preserve evidence and protect your rights. Our experienced legal team is available to discuss your case immediately.
Compensation Available for Construction Injuries
Construction accident victims can recover multiple categories of damages. Medical expenses include emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment. Lost wages compensate for income you cannot earn during recovery. Permanent disability benefits address lasting impairment that reduces your earning capacity. Pain and suffering damages recognize physical agony and emotional distress. In cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
Dordick Law Corporation calculates your total damages comprehensively, ensuring no recoverable loss goes uncompensated. We work with medical experts to document your injuries and lifetime care needs, strengthening your claim for maximum recovery. Serious construction injuries often result in settlements and verdicts exceeding $500,000 when liability is clear and injuries are severe. Review our construction accident case results to see examples of successful recoveries.
Economic damages include all quantifiable financial losses. Medical expenses cover emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment related to your injury. Lost wages compensate for income you cannot earn during recovery and rehabilitation. Future medical care addresses ongoing treatment needs for permanent injuries. Vocational rehabilitation costs help you retrain for work if your injury prevents you from returning to construction.
Non-economic damages address the non-financial impact of your injury. Pain and suffering recognizes the physical agony you endured. Emotional distress addresses anxiety, depression, and trauma resulting from your accident. Loss of enjoyment of life compensates for permanent changes to your quality of life and relationships. Permanent disability and disfigurement damages account for lasting physical changes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Accidents
What should I do immediately after a construction accident?
Seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Report your injury to your supervisor and employer within 30 days. Document the accident scene with photos and video if possible. Collect contact information from witnesses. Preserve your work clothes and equipment involved in the accident. Contact an experienced construction accident lawyer before speaking with insurance adjusters. Insurance companies often try to minimize claims, and early legal representation protects your rights. Our Riverside personal injury attorneys are ready to help immediately.
Can I sue my employer for a construction accident?
Generally, California’s workers’ compensation system prevents lawsuits against your employer. However, exceptions exist for intentional misconduct or violations of specific safety statutes. You can pursue third-party claims against other contractors, equipment manufacturers, property owners, and supervisors whose negligence caused your injury. These third-party claims often recover significantly more compensation than workers’ compensation benefits alone.
How long do I have to file a construction accident claim?
You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days to preserve workers’ compensation benefits. For third-party lawsuits, California’s statute of limitations allows two years from the date of injury. However, evidence preservation is critical—contact an attorney immediately after your accident. The sooner we investigate, the better we can preserve evidence and build a strong case. Contact our Riverside office today.
What is the difference between workers' compensation and a personal injury lawsuit?
Workers’ compensation provides no-fault benefits (medical care and wage replacement) but excludes pain and suffering damages. Personal injury lawsuits against third parties require proving negligence, but allow recovery for all damages, including pain and suffering and punitive damages. The most effective strategy combines both claims to maximize your total recovery.
How much is my construction accident case worth?
Case value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disability, and liability strength. Serious injuries with clear liability can settle for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our attorneys evaluate your specific circumstances and pursue maximum compensation. We consider all economic and non-economic damages to accurately value your claim. Review our case results for examples of successful recoveries.
Do I need to hire a lawyer for my construction accident claim?
While not required, legal representation significantly increases your recovery. Insurance companies and contractors employ sophisticated defense strategies. An experienced construction accident lawyer investigates thoroughly, identifies all liable parties, and negotiates aggressively for fair compensation. We represent clients on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact Dordick Law Corporation Today
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident in Riverside, don’t face the insurance company alone. Contact Dordick Law Corporation for a free consultation with an experienced construction accident lawyer. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and discuss your options for recovery. Call us today or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation. We’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Our award-winning attorneys have recovered millions for injured workers.
Related Practice Areas
Explore other Riverside personal injury practice areas we handle:
- Workplace Accidents
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Premises Liability
- Wrongful Death
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
Related Blog Posts
Learn more about construction injuries and workers’ rights:
- Ensuring Road Safety During National Work Zone Awareness Week in Southern California
- Shedding Light on Spinal Cord Injuries: Advocating for Awareness and Justice in California
- Summer Injuries in SoCal: What to Watch For, What to Do
- Handling Concussions & TBI in the Legal Arena
