Los Angeles Construction Accident Lawyer
As a leading Los Angeles construction accident lawyer, Cyrus Shahriari knows that the construction industry is one of the most dangerous occupations in California. Fatalities and injuries are disproportionately high compared to other industries – in 2011, out of 4,114 worker fatalities, 721 or 17.5 percent were construction related, reported the Cal-OSHA Reporter in November 2012.
Leading causes are termed the “Fatal Four”: Falls, Electrocution, Struck by an object and Caught in or between an object.
Working in close proximity to heavy machinery, toxic chemicals, electrical wires, and open trenches on a daily basis puts workers at constant risk of serious injury or death.
Injuries like skull fractures, concussions, amputation of limbs and fingers, blindness, burns, chemical burns, scalding, contusions, severe gashes, and broken bones are common commonly caused. And, unfortunately, there are deaths on the job because of construction accidents.
Whether the construction accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, not following OSHA safety rules, or defective equipment, it is urgent that you speak to a Los Angeles construction accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Workers’ Comp vs a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Construction workers who suffer an on-the-job injury often cannot make a claim against their employer for work-related injuries. Those must be handled through the California Workers’ Compensation Act. Such compensation may include:
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Medical expenses
A personal injury lawsuit has the potential to compensate you for your damages much more fully than workers’ comp. And though you cannot bring a lawsuit against your employer, a third party might hold at least some liability for your construction accident.
Property owners, architects, contractors, sub-contractors, material providers, chemical and tool manufacturers, and equipment manufacturers can all be held accountable in a personal injury lawsuit. This takes your claim beyond a workers’ comp claim for insufficient safety measures when a construction site accident occurs and may increase the compensation for which you are eligible.
General contractors and subcontractors must take measures to ensure a construction site is reasonably safe. The contractor has a responsibility to check that appropriate safety precautions are being followed. They should hire employees who will exercise caution.
Construction equipment manufacturers are responsible for designing and maintaining safe products. Every year, defective equipment and unsafe conditions cause serious injuries to thousands of hard working construction workers.
In a personal injury lawsuit, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Lost wages and benefits, current and future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of support and family services
- Funeral expenses
Common Third Party Construction Accidents
Whether you are a visitor to a construction site or you are working on a construction site, these are most common third party constructions accidents:
- Crane accidents and falls
- Slip and fall accidents
- Welding accidents
- Falling objects
- Dumpster accidents
- Nail gun accidents
- Toxic exposure
- Electrical accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Heavy equipment accidents
- Trenching and excavation accidents
- Compressed gas accidents
- Transportation accidents (on and off-site)
Leading Causes of Third Party Construction Accidents
- Defective machinery
- Defective tools
- OSHA violations
- Explosions
- Supervisory Errors
- Communication Errors
- Faulty scaffolding or other supports
- Exposed power lines
- Collapsing building or part of a building
What a Los Angeles Construction Lawyer Can Do for You
Los Angeles construction accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari has an excellent understanding of the federal and state regulations that govern a construction site. He has the expertise to determine if you have grounds for a third-party lawsuit.
Cyrus Shahriari offers a free, no-obligation consultation so finding out will not cost you a dime. And if you do have grounds for a lawsuit, as your construction accident lawyer, you will pay no fees until your case is resolved.
We urge you not to wait too long to contact a construction attorney. There are legal deadlines that must be met when filing a construction accident lawsuit. If these deadlines are missed, you give up all rights to ever file for compensation for damages.
Contact Los Angeles construction accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari today. Learn what legal options are available to you.
Construction Accidents
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is liable if I was injured because of debris on the sidewalk next to a construction site?
A: It is a construction company’s responsibility to keep the public sidewalk next to a construction site safe for pedestrian. If the company doesn’t do this, they may be liable for your damages. Others – such as a sub-contractor or property owner – also might be responsible for your injuries. These are the things we discover when we investigate your construction accident.
Q: What is OSHA?
A: In 1970, Congress passed the Occupational Safety Act, which included the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the Department of Labor. OSHA’s administrator reports to the Secretary of Labor, who is a member of the United States President’s cabinet. OSHA is “mandated to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by training, outreach, education, and assistance.” What “safe and healthful working conditions” are and OSHA’s oversight of various industries, is often determined by which administration is in power.
Q: If I accept Workers’ Compensation benefits for my construction accident, can I still file a personal injury lawsuit?
A: Yes, IF a third party (sub-contractor, property owner, vendors, delivery drivers, the site developer, manufacturers of equipment or products being used, distributors of tools and equipment used at the site, etc.) is also liable for your damages, you can file a personal injury lawyer IN ADDITION to receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits. But you cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. Who is liable for your injuries will be determined after The Shahriari Law Firm investigates your construction accident.
Q: How does a construction accident attorney determine who is responsible for my construction accident and injuries?
A: At The Shahriari Law Firm we hire experts in all the areas necessary to make this determination and who can connect-the-dots between how you were injured and the negligence of others. The expert(s) will testify in deposition and in trial (if it comes to that), on how the third-party violated OSHA regulations, standards of care, and safety requirements that resulted in your injuries. Other types of experts are brought in, when necessary, to testify about the extent of your injuries and necessary medical care, the level of your pain, and the amount of money you will need to provide you care to treat your temporary or permanent disability from the construction accident.
Q: How much does a construction accident lawyer cost?
A: Like Cyrus Shahriari, a construction accident lawyer typically takes construction accident cases on a contingency basis. This means you pay nothing until your case is resolved. There are no upfront fees or retainers. Payment to your construction accident lawyer comes out of the money obtained from the case. When you sign up with a construction accident lawyer, you and the attorney will sign paperwork detailing what percentage of the compensation obtained will be the attorney’s fee. This is all agreed upon at the very beginning so there should not be any surprises later.