In Los Angeles, construction liability accidents is one of the most common workplace related grievance.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 155,420 construction related accidents in 2003 alone and most injuries cause construction workers to miss more than 31 days of work.
According to studies, the construction industry continues to bring upon more fatalities than any other industry in the private sector.
Construction accident injuries may be caused by a lot of things. With workers operating cranes, forklifts and other construction machines, it is easy enough for something to go wrong especially if these machines are not properly maintained.
Construction accidents may also be caused by unsafe conditions brought by defective safety tools / gears, crudely assembled scaffolding, falling debris and faulty electrical wirings.
Lack of training can also be a factor in this type of accident. In some cases, contractors, usually unlicensed, would hire inexperienced but affordable manpower as construction workers to cut cost.
Here are some of the most common causes of construction accidents:
• Fall from elevated heights (roofs, ladders, etc.)
• Faulty machines and equipment
• Faulty safety harness
• Fires and explosions
• Harmful substances (chemicals)
• Accidents with power tools
• Accidents with forklift and crane
• Collapsed trenches
• Accidents in welding
Workers' compensation
If a worker is injured in a construction accident in Los Angeles, they have a right to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits. The California Workers' Compensation act provides benefits for workers who are injured on the job or suffer an occupational disease arising out of the course and scope of employment, regardless of who was at fault.
The employee's rights are limited though. In most cases, even if the employer is at fault, the employee cannot sue them for an on the job injury.
Most of the time, however, workers' compensation is not enough to cover the damages done to a worker. She/he can, though, file for a third party case if there is someone else liable for the accident aside from the employer.
Third Party Negligence
A construction project usually involves various products, contracting and sub-contracting companies and of course people. You have the property owner, the architects and engineers, the general contractors and sub contractors, even manufacturers are involved through their products. They are, in various degrees, responsible for the safety of the workers.
All these third party entities may be held liable for your injuries as long as you are not their employee.
Through a third party case, you can get damages through lost wages, earning capacity impairment, current and future medical costs, pain and suffering and consortium loss.
Third party negligence can be difficult to prove as the burden to prove negligence falls on you. Fortunately you can claim worker's compensation while pursuing your case.
You can consult an attorney with vast experience in handling third party cases for construction accidents to help get your options and take the right course of action.
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Los Angeles construction liability accidents and other related cases, consult with our skilled
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