Construction Accidents
If you were injured in a construction accident in Kern County, contact our construction accident lawyers at Chain | Cohn | Clark to discuss your case. Our trusted legal team is ready to investigate the incident, identify the liable parties, and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf. Call us at 661-616-9829 to schedule a free consultation.
Types of Construction Injuries We Handle
It’s hard to overestimate the value of construction workers in our everyday lives. We depend on them for the homes we live in, the offices we work in, the freeways we drive on—even our utilities, including the water supply, sewage systems, and electrical grid.
But construction workers face a much higher risk of injury or death from work-related accidents than workers in other industries. High-risk environments and physically demanding labor make the potential for serious injury high.
Our Kern County injury lawyers represent workers who have suffered:
1. Falls From Height
Falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or platforms are a leading cause of severe and fatal injury on construction sites. These incidents often involve broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
2. Caught-In/Between Accidents
Workers can be crushed or pinned when trapped between moving equipment, walls, or materials, leading to traumatic injuries, such as broken bones, internal bleeding, or amputations.
3. Struck-By Accidents
Tools, debris, and materials falling from above can strike workers below, resulting in head injuries, fractures, and internal trauma.
4. Electrocution
Contact with live wires, faulty wiring, or uncovered power sources can cause serious electrical burns, nerve damage, and cardiac arrest.
5. Malfunctioning Tools and Machinery
Defective or poorly maintained equipment—such as nail guns, power saws, cranes, and forklifts—can cause severe injuries. In these cases, manufacturers, contractors, or maintenance providers may be held liable.
6. Vehicle or Heavy Equipment Accidents
Construction sites often involve large trucks, bulldozers, and other heavy vehicles. Accidents may occur due to poor visibility, operator error, or unsafe site conditions.
7. Trench and Structural Collapses
Poorly secured trenches or unstable structures can collapse without warning, trapping or crushing workers beneath heavy debris.
8. Repetitive Stress and Overexertion Injuries
Long hours of lifting, bending, and operating tools can cause chronic pain, joint damage, and long-term musculoskeletal injuries.
Where Do Construction Accidents Occur?
Construction accidents can happen on a wide variety of job sites—not just high-rise projects. Whether the site was managed by a private contractor, a public agency, or a large development firm, we know how to hold the responsible parties accountable.
We represent injured workers from:
- Residential and commercial construction sites
- Road and highway work zones
- Demolition sites
- Roofing and scaffolding jobs
- Utility and pipeline installation
- Industrial accidents and warehouse projects
- Public works and municipal construction projects
Workers’ Compensation and Construction Accidents
In California, most injured construction workers are covered by workers’ compensation, which provides medical care and partial wage replacement. However, workers’ comp does not fully compensate you for all your losses—such as pain and suffering—and you generally cannot sue your employer directly.
That said, you may have additional legal options. You may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit if:
- A third party (like a subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer) contributed to your injury.
- Your employer does not carry legally required workers’ compensation insurance.
- The injury resulted from intentional misconduct or egregious safety violations.
Our legal team will thoroughly investigate your circumstances to determine if you could pursue a third-party liability claim alongside your workers’ compensation benefits.
Damages in Construction Injury Cases
Construction injuries can have long-lasting effects on your physical health, income, and quality of life. Our team works with medical professionals, economists, and vocational experts to calculate the full scope of your damages, which may include:
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses (emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment)
- Lost income (past wages and future earning capacity)
- Home and vehicle modifications (for permanent disabilities)
- Assistive equipment (wheelchairs, prosthetics, and medical devices)
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship/consortium (in wrongful death cases)
Punitive Damages
If gross negligence or willful misconduct caused your injury—such as someone knowingly ignoring safety protocols—you may sue for punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer.
$22.1
million
Pedestrian Accident
$15
million
Products Liability Explosion
$11
million
Auto Accident
$10
million
Oilfield Accident
$10
million
Motorcycle Accident
$9
million
Industrial Accident
$8.8
million
Police Misconduct
$8
million
Pedestrian Accident
Why Do I Need a Construction Accident Lawyer?
If you were injured while working construction in California, the accident lawyers at Chain | Cohn | Clark can guide you through the claims process so you can get the compensation you deserve. We understand Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and safety standards and can determine if your injury or accident was caused by:
- Dangerous site conditions
- Negligent hiring practices
- Inadequate staffing or supervision
- Lack of training
- OSHA regulation violations
- Inadequate or poorly-fitting personal protective equipment (PPE)
Construction accidents can change lives in an instant—but you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone.
Free Case Evaluation
At Chain | Cohn | Clark, we’re here to fight for the financial compensation and peace of mind you need to recover and rebuild. Call us now at 661-616-9829 for a free consultation with our construction injury lawyers.
Frequently Asked Questions After a Construction Work Injury
Report the injury to your supervisor, get medical attention immediately, and document the scene if possible. Then, speak with a lawyer to protect your rights and explore compensation options.
While workers’ compensation usually prevents lawsuits against your employer, you can sue third parties—like subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners—if they contributed to your injury.
For workers’ compensation, you must report your injury within 30 days and file your claim within one year. For personal injury lawsuits, California’s statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. Don’t wait—early action protects your case.
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