WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Indio Construction Accident Attorney

With more than 30 years of experience, our accomplished attorneys are here to guide you through these difficult times and get the compensation you deserve.

Representing Indio, CA, Clients in Construction Accident Claims

The construction industry is one of the most important for the US economy but is also one of the most dangerous fields for anyone to work. Each year, the construction industry ranks among the highest in the country for workplace injuries and deaths. When these accidents happen, the victim could face severe pain, an extensive recovery, and long-term financial problems that influence all aspects of their life. It is essential to know your rights if you ever experience a construction accident. Depending on how the incident occurred, one or more parties may bear liability for your injury and the resulting financial damages.

At English Lloyd & Armenta, our team has successfully handled many construction accident claims for Indio, CA, clients during the years of our firm’s operation. We understand how these cases typically unfold and how to help our clients navigate the workers’ compensation claim process that often comes into play following construction accidents. Many injured construction workers believe that the workers’ compensation system is their only avenue for recovery after a workplace accident, but this isn’t necessarily true. Rest assured that when you choose English Lloyd & Armenta as your Indio construction accident attorneys, we will do everything we can to maximize your recovery through every available channel of compensation.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

Even if your case seems straightforward, it is always best to have legal counsel on your side as you begin filing your construction accident claim. The English Lloyd & Armenta team has years of experience handling construction accident claims and can put this experience to work in your case. Attempting to navigate any civil claim without an attorney is risky. You may overlook available channels of compensation and settle for much less than you deserve. You may also unintentionally make procedural errors in your claim and have it thrown out before any court proceedings genuinely begin to unfold.

Consider your choice to hire an Indio construction accident lawyer as an investment in your recovery. The right attorney can help you secure maximum compensation for your damages and hold the party responsible for causing them accountable for their actions. Your Indio construction accident lawyer can also help you navigate the federal regulations that are likely to come into play in your case. For example, suppose your construction injury resulted from a violation of the rules set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In that case, we can help you navigate the OSHA procedures for ensuring future incidents of this nature do not happen again.

Common Types of Construction Accidents

Your construction accident claim can potentially involve severe injuries and mounting economic losses resulting from the incident. Some of the most common construction accidents that lead to legal claims in Indio include:

Falls. Many construction workers operate in unfinished buildings that have incomplete walls, floors, and stairways. Falls are one of the leading causes of construction injuries, according to OSHA statistics.
Injuries from falling objects. Dropped tools, debris, and pieces of construction materials can fall and strike a worker below. Even if the victim is wearing a hard hat and appropriate safety gear, they may sustain serious head injuries.
Runover accidents. The construction industry often requires heavy machinery like forklifts, dump trucks, backhoes, and more. Some construction accidents occur due to improper use of these vehicles.
Crushing injuries. Some heavy construction equipment is capable of inflicting severe wounds due to crushing. Some crushing injuries can be fatal, while others result in catastrophic injuries, such as amputation.
Toxic exposure. Working in construction may entail working close to certain chemicals that can be corrosive or toxic. It is also possible to misuse construction materials and equipment to cause leaks and other hazards that can result in chemical injuries, some of which may lead to long-term medical complications.

These are only a few examples of construction accidents that can lead to legal disputes. Some construction accidents occur due to unforeseen and unpredictable events, while others result from negligence. In the latter case, the victim can pursue a civil claim against the party responsible for causing their injury, but filing a workers’ compensation claim is generally the first step toward recovery for a construction accident victim.

What to Expect From Workers’ Compensation

Every state upholds a workers’ compensation system that offers financial relief to individuals injured at work. The construction industry is responsible for a large share of all workers’ compensation claims filed each year in the US. If you were injured at work, regardless of how the accident occurred, you have the right to file for workers’ compensation. California state law requires all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and all employers are legally required to facilitate employees’ claims.

When you sustain an injury at work, you must notify your supervisor immediately and request the appropriate workers’ compensation claim forms. Your employer must then direct you to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier’s list of approved physicians. In an emergency, you may seek medical treatment from any available physician, but once your condition stabilizes, you must visit a doctor on this approved list to receive a disability rating.

The disability rating assigned by the workers’ compensation doctor dictates whether you will receive benefits and, if so, for how long. Workers’ compensation generally covers the initial cost of your medical treatment and will provide a percentage of your average weekly income for each week you spend in recovery after your injury. While this may yield substantial recovery, it may not be enough to fully compensate for your losses.

Taking Legal Action for a Construction Accident Injury

In most cases, an injured worker’s employer will be legally insulated from personal injury claims due to the workers’ compensation system. However, if workers’ compensation cannot provide enough to fully cover the injured employee’s damages, the injured employee may have legal actions beyond the scope of workers’ compensation. If any party were partially to blame for the injury in question, the victim could file a personal injury claim against them. Typically, injury claims for construction accidents will pertain to:

Premises liability, in the event a property owner was negligent in the care and maintenance of their property in such a way that it caused the victim’s injury.
Product liability, in the event a defective tool or other product caused the injury in question.
Negligence, which is likely to arise in third-party personal injury claims related to a construction accident injury.

If you believe a party other than your employer bears liability for your construction injury, or if your employer or another party in your workplace intentionally caused your damage, it is vital to speak with an Indio construction accident attorney as soon as possible about your legal options.

It is also important to remember that a construction accident can potentially injure non-employees. These victims would not face any restrictions when it comes to suing a construction company. While a company may be insulated from claims from their employees due to workers’ compensation, a construction company and its employees are potentially liable when a construction accident causes injury to a passerby or other party.

Damages and Compensation in a Personal Injury Claim

If you have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your construction accident injury, your attorney can help you determine the types of compensation you could potentially secure if your claim is successful. Many construction accidents cause devastating injuries that often result in long-term or permanent disability, causing extensive economic difficulties for the injured party.

Your Indio construction accident lawyer can help you secure several types of compensation, including:

Medical expenses, both immediate and future. If found liable for the injury in question, a personal injury defendant is responsible for all medical expenses incurred by the plaintiff resulting from their actions.
Property damage. If a defendant’s actions resulted in damage to the plaintiff’s personal property, the plaintiff could include repair or replacement costs in their lawsuit.
Lost income. When a defendant’s actions result in injury to a plaintiff and the plaintiff cannot return to work until they recover, the plaintiff can claim wages lost during this time as damages in their lawsuit. If the plaintiff is permanently disabled from their injury, they may hold the defendant accountable for their lost future earning capacity.
Pain and suffering. California state law permits personal injury plaintiffs to claim financial compensation for physical pain and psychological trauma. The amount they receive typically hinges on the severity of their injuries and the likelihood of developing long-term or permanent damage from them.

Depending on the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries, they may be entitled to collect substantial compensation from a successful personal injury claim. If you are unsure about what your construction accident injury claim may be worth, it is vital to consult an experienced Indio construction accident attorney as soon as possible about your options.

English Lloyd & Armenta Injury Attorneys Can Help

The English Lloyd & Armenta team is available to assist the victims of construction accidents in the Indio, CA, area. We understand that these incidents often result in severe injuries and will do everything we can to assist in our client’s recovery. If you recently suffered an injury at or near a construction site and believe another party is responsible for your damages, contact English Lloyd & Armenta today to schedule a case evaluation with an experienced Indio construction accident lawyer.