The city of Perris has a thriving construction industry to support the 115% population growth it has had in the past few years, so residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial projects are keeping construction workers busy in this Riverside County town. However, this rapid expansion comes with risk to construction workers, inspectors, bystanders, and even passing individuals. With prolonged, consistent exposure to harmful toxic chemicals, heavy equipment, and hazardous working conditions and environments, construction workers have one of the most dangerous jobs today, and unsafe practices on a construction site can also affect individuals who happen to be too close when something goes awry. If you were injured in construction accident, contact a skilled Perris Construction Accident Attorney to learn if you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Is There a High Risk of Construction Accidents in Perris?
Over 70 California construction workers die annually, and the construction industry claims 20% of all workplace fatalities. There are also over 1 million reported nonfatal injuries each year – many of these local to Perris. The city is responding well to the huge influx of new residents and building an immense number of new apartment complexes and residents to accommodate its’ constantly growing population. Over 11% of Perris residents are employed in the construction industry, which explains how the city can keep up with its big plans for the future. Currently, large construction projects in town include:
- 184 single-family homes in the Cabrillo at Monument Park;
- 223 single-family homes in the Sequoia at Monument Park;
- 492 single-family homes at the new Avelina Community;
- Building and expanding the Perris Market Place; and
- Numerous warehouses and industrial buildings in North Perris.
Additionally, the city has spent $10 million on capital improvement projects in the last 2 years and has plans to spend another $35 million in the next five years. The large number of current and proposed construction projects in and around the Perris area, in combination with the inherent risks in the construction industry, make the city a likely location for a high number of serious or fatal injuries.
How Do Construction Accident Injuries Happen?
Construction sites have many different activities happening simultaneously to efficiently complete the many tasks involved in any single project. Building, renovating, expanding, demolishing, and retrofitting structures are dangerous activities which can pose danger to anyone in or around a construction site. Though falling objects, malfunctioning equipment, explosions, fires and structural collapse are all causes of injury, many accidents are caused by an employer not following prescribed safety procedures in order to save time and/or money. It’s common to see accidents from:
- Improper employee training,
- Improper safety planning,
- Failing to enforce or follow federal and state safety laws and regulations, and
- Extended working hours that cause worker fatigue.
How Do I Recover for My Perris Construction Accident Injuries?
If you are injured in a Perris construction accident, filing a workers’ compensation claim entitles you to have your medical costs covered by your employer as well as receive permanent or temporary disability benefits for missed work. A deceased worker’s family may also receive death benefits. It’s important to note that often if the victim is a worker, they are limited to bringing a workers’ compensation claim and cannot file a civil lawsuit – this depends on the nature of the accident as well as who is responsible for it.
In a civil suit, if a victim can prove they were injured by another party’s negligence, they may be awarded similar monetary compensation as they would with workers’ compensation. In addition to compensatory damages for harms such as medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral expenses, a victim may also recover additional damages. Courts and juries can award compensation for damages that do not have a fixed price such as loss of consortium, pain and suffering, or scarring and disfigurement.
In some cases, a victim may even be entitled to punitive damages designed to punish particularly bad behavior by a wrongdoer. If you can satisfy a very high burden of proof, a judge or jury has the discretion to decide whether to award punitive damages and, if so, in what amount. Because establishing negligence and satisfying different burdens of proof can be tricky, it’s advisable to seek help from an experienced Perris Construction Accident Attorney.
I Was Involved in a Construction Accident, Now What?
Even though the thought of being proactive right after a construction accident can be overwhelming, a few simple steps can immensely help your health as well as the health of any claims for compensation you may bring. Acting quickly will also help you avoid losing your right by file a legal claim – California has a 2-year statute of limitations on filing lawsuits seeking construction accident injury compensation. Missing this deadline means you permanently lose your right to sue and recover for these injuries. After a Perris construction accident:
- Get Medical Help – Seek medical treatment as soon as possible and even if you believe you weren’t hurt in the accident. Some injuries do not present symptoms for days or even weeks. Follow treatment plans, take all medication as prescribed, and attend follow-up appointments.
- Report the accident – If you were on the job, report the incident to your manager or supervisor and begin the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim.
- Gather evidence – Take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries if possible, get contact information from any witnesses, keep copies of any accident reports created, and hold on to of all your medical records, paystubs, and receipts related to expenses brought on by your injuries.
- Contact a Construction Accident Attorney –a skilled lawyer can help explain your options.
Speak to a Perris Construction Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one were injured in a construction accident, contact the skilled Perris Construction Accident Attorneys at Walton Law today. We have years of experience providing tailored, aggressive representation to victims and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-338-7079 or complete our online Contact Page to schedule your free, no obligation initial case evaluation today. You pay nothing until we win your case. Let our knowledgeable attorneys review the facts of your unique situation and help you obtain the best possible outcome from a tragic, avoidable situation.