Northern California Construction Accident Lawyer

Put Decades of Experience on Your Side

Construction sites are some of the most hazardous job sites in the country, making construction work itself is one of the most dangerous jobs a person can have. With high scaffolds, heavy machinery, electricity, caustic chemicals, and other potential hazards, contractors have a special responsibility to ensure that their employees are safe while they work.

If you have been injured or have suffered the loss of a loved one in a construction accident, the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley may be able to help you obtain compensation. We urge you to contact our firm to discuss your accident, who can be held liable, and how much you may be owed to cover your losses.

Common Types of Construction Accidents

A construction accident is an unexpected incident that occurs on a construction site, resulting in injury, damage, or disruption. These accidents can involve workers, equipment, or even bystanders, and they often lead to physical harm, financial loss, and project delays. The causes of construction accidents can vary widely, including human error, equipment failure, environmental factors, and violations of safety protocols.

Common types of construction accidents include:

• Falls from Heights: These occur when workers fall from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or other elevated areas. They are often caused by inadequate fall protection or unstable working surfaces.
• Slips, Trips, and Falls: These accidents happen on the same level due to slippery surfaces, uneven ground, or obstructions, often resulting in sprains, fractures, or other injuries.
• Falling Objects: Tools, materials, or debris falling from heights can strike workers below, causing serious injuries or fatalities.
• Moving Equipment: Workers can be struck by moving vehicles or heavy machinery, leading to severe injuries or even death.
• Trench Collapse: Workers can be buried or trapped when a trench or excavation collapses, often due to inadequate shoring or support.
• Machinery Entanglement: These accidents occur when workers get caught in moving parts of machinery or equipment, resulting in crushing or amputation injuries.
• Contact with Power Lines: Direct or indirect contact with overhead or underground power lines can cause severe electrical burns or fatal electrocution.
• Faulty Wiring: Accidents due to improper electrical installations or malfunctioning equipment can lead to electrical shocks or fires.
• Scaffolding Collapses: Scaffold structures can collapse if improperly set up or overloaded, causing falls and injuries to workers.
• Crane Accidents: Crane collapses or objects being dropped by cranes can cause significant injuries or fatalities to workers on the ground.
• Forklift Accidents: Forklifts can tip over or strike workers, resulting in severe injuries.
• Gas Leaks: Ignition of flammable gases or liquids can cause explosions and fires, posing a major hazard on construction sites.
• Electrical Fires: Electrical faults can lead to fires, putting workers at risk of burns and smoke inhalation.
• Toxic Chemical Exposure: Exposure to toxic substances or chemicals can cause burns, respiratory issues, or poisoning, necessitating proper handling and protective gear.
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Prolonged exposure to high noise levels from machinery and equipment can lead to permanent hearing damage, underscoring the need for adequate hearing protection.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents

Several common contributing factors can lead to construction accidents, such as the following:

• Human Error:
  • Lack of Training: Inadequate training or lack of proper instruction on safety protocols and equipment use can lead to mistakes and accidents.
  • Fatigue and Stress: Workers who are tired or under stress may have impaired judgment and slower reaction times, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
  • Negligence: Ignoring safety rules, taking shortcuts, or failing to follow proper procedures can result in dangerous situations.
• Unsafe Work Practices:
  • Improper Use of Equipment: Using tools and machinery incorrectly or for unintended purposes can cause malfunctions and injuries.
  • Lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Not wearing appropriate PPE such as helmets, gloves, and harnesses can expose workers to higher risks of injury.
• Environmental Factors:
  • Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, or extreme heat can create hazardous working conditions, leading to slips, falls, or heat-related illnesses.
  • Poor Housekeeping: Cluttered and disorganized work areas can cause trips, falls, and hinder emergency evacuation routes.
• Equipment Failure:
  • Defective or Malfunctioning Equipment: Faulty machinery and tools can break down or operate unpredictably, leading to accidents.
  • Lack of Maintenance: Inadequate maintenance of equipment can result in malfunctions and increased risk of accidents.
• Site Conditions:
  • Uneven Terrain: Irregular or unstable ground can cause trips, falls, and difficulties in maneuvering equipment.
  • Structural Instability: Weak or unstable structures can collapse or fail, posing significant risks to workers.
• Communication Breakdown:
  • Poor Communication: Misunderstandings or lack of clear instructions can lead to errors and accidents.
  • Lack of Signage: Inadequate warning signs or signals can fail to alert workers to hazards, increasing the risk of injury.
• Inadequate Supervision:
  • Lack of Oversight: Insufficient monitoring of work activities and adherence to safety protocols can lead to unsafe practices going unchecked.
  • Inexperienced Supervisors: Supervisors who lack experience or training may fail to recognize and mitigate hazards effectively.
• Design Flaws:
  • Poor Planning: Inadequate planning and design can result in unsafe working conditions or processes.
  • Structural Deficiencies: Errors in design or engineering can lead to structural failures and accidents.
• Chemical Hazards:
  • Exposure to Toxic Substances: Improper handling or storage of hazardous materials can lead to chemical burns, poisoning, or respiratory issues.
  • Lack of Ventilation: Poor ventilation can result in the accumulation of harmful fumes or gases, posing health risks to workers.
• Violation of Safety Regulations:
  • Non-compliance with Standards: Failing to adhere to established safety standards and regulations can create hazardous working conditions.
  • Inadequate Safety Programs: Lack of comprehensive safety programs or failure to enforce safety policies can lead to increased accident rates.

Common Construction Accident Injuries

While OSHA provides regulations designed to keep workers safe, some employers, unfortunately, ignore these rules and end up putting their workers in danger. When an accident results because of the negligence of an employer or a third party, the at-fault party can be held liable for compensating the victim.

Common injuries that result from construction accidents include:

• Brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Electrocutions
• Falls from heights
• Spinal cord injuries
• Loss of hearing or eyesight
• Injuries from falling objects
• Heat stroke and overexertion
• Thermal and chemical burn injuries
• Backovers and crush-in-between injuries

Getting Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries

A catastrophic injury not only affects the health of the victim, it also can pose a number of financial and emotional difficulties for his or her family. On-the-job injuries can result in substantial medical bills, and without the income provided by the victim, a family can quickly find themselves in dire financial circumstances. It is important to have an experienced attorney on your side who can fight for every dollar you are owed to cover your losses.

You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Past & future medical bills
• Rehabilitation costs
• Pain & suffering
• Lost wages

Millions of Dollars in Recoveries

The Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for the wrongfully injured in Chico, Roseville, Redding, Sacramento, and throughout Northern California. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide our clients with immediate help, we are prepared to begin an investigation of your case as soon as possible to determine your legal options.

When you choose our firm, you pay nothing up front to begin your case, and will owe us nothing unless we make a recovery on your behalf. You have nothing to lose - speak with a lawyer about your case today,

Related Reading:

• Construction Accidents and Falls from Roofs: Injuries to Workers and Bystanders