Hemet is a growing town of over 84,000 residents, and it’s easy to believe the town is rapidly expanding when you see construction projects almost everywhere you look. Residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial construction projects are vital to continued growth and being able to serve the residents of the community. However, this expansion comes with risk to construction workers, inspectors, bystanders, and even passing individuals. If you have been hurt because of a construction accident, contact the skilled Hemet Construction Accident Attorneys at Walton Law to learn if you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Risk Factors for Construction Accidents in Hemet
Hemet is a construction-heavy town. Not only is the town growing rapidly, nearly 22% of Hemet residents are employed in the construction industry. In California, more than 70 workers die each year and construction is responsible for 20% of all workplace fatalities. For nonfatal injuries, the number skyrockets to an estimated 1 million reported construction accident injuries each year – many of these close to home in Hemet.
Population growth has required over 100 residential homes be built in Hemet in each of the last 2 reported years and demands the expansion of businesses and infrastructure developments to serve the residents of Hemet better. However, this development comes at the cost of putting individuals at risk for injury from construction accidents.
The large number of construction projects and Hemet’s growing population and proximity to these construction sites means there are many chances for accidents to happen and injuries or death to occur. The city is currently working on large construction projects such as the:
- Brubaker Park Retrofit;
- Police Department Security Renovation;
- State Highway 74 Raised Curb Median Safety Construction;
- Habit Burger Grill; and
- Renovations on the existing shopping center at Stetson Avenue and State Street.
How Do Construction Accident Injuries Happen?
Construction sites are a hub of activity, and many different types of work are occurring at once on a single project – many of them risky. All these activities occurring simultaneously only multiplies the risk of injury or death. Constructing, renovating, remodeling, expanding, demolishing, and retrofitting structures pose danger to construction workers, inspectors, site visitors, passersby, and other innocent bystanders from:
- Falling or malfunctioning equipment,
- Trip or Slip and falls,
- Explosions,
- Electric shock,
- Fires, and
- Structural collapse.
The risks on or near construction projects are almost infinite, and many may not be obvious to someone at first glance. Because of this, it’s important you speak to a Hemet Construction Accident Lawyer if you were involved in an accident to understand if you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries.
How Do I Recover for My Construction Accident Injuries?
Most construction accident victims pursue recovery for their injuries by suing in court and alleging someone’s negligent behavior caused them harm. Establishing negligence requires proving several elements are more likely true than not:
- The defendant owed the victim a legal duty of care,
- They breached their duty by either act or an omission – a failure to act, and
- Defendant’s breach of duty caused actual harm to the victim.
It’s advisable to seek help from an experienced Hemet Construction Accident Lawyer because proving a defendant breached their duty and showing the breach caused your injuries can be difficult and a legal pitfall for someone not accustomed to this type of litigation.
What Are My Injuries Worth?
It’s normal to ask how much you can expect to recover for injuries from a construction accident. If you prove someone was negligent, unless they have a valid legal defense, they are liable for harms you can prove in court. Generally, victims are awarded economic and noneconomic compensatory damages for their harms to redress their injuries.
Economic damages cover concrete injuries a victim can prove through records, documents, and receipts. These are often awarded for injuries such as property damage, funeral or burial costs, hospital bills, lost wages, and loss of earning potential.
Noneconomic damages, on the other hand, are awarded for most abstract injuries that cannot be substantiated by hard evidence. No fixed monetary value exists for psychological, mental, or emotional harms like pain and suffering, scarring or disfigurement, or loss of consortium.
What Should I Do If I am Involved in a Construction Accident?
If you are involved in a construction accident, the idea of taking immediate action can be daunting. Not only may you have been injured or traumatized by the accident, but unexpected medical expenses can add an additional layer of stress. A few steps can help you look after your health and can greatly strengthen any legal claims you may bring in the future. However, you should not delay in acting because California has a 2-year statute of limitations on bringing lawsuits seeking compensation for construction injuries. Failing to file in 2 years means you permanently lose to the right to do so in court.
When you are involved in a Hemet construction accident:
- Seek medical care – It is important to be evaluated for injuries as quickly as soon as possible. Many injuries may not show symptoms right away, so an evaluation is needed to diagnose hidden injuries and prevent further harm. Follow doctor recommendations and treatment plans, take medicine exactly as prescribed even if you feel well, and attend all follow ups.
- Report the accident – If you were on the job, report the incident to your manager or supervisor.
- Gather evidence – If possible, take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries, obtain contact information from all witnesses, keep copies of any reports generated regarding the accident, and retain copies of all medical records and expenses related to your injuries.
- Contact an Attorney – Speak to a Hemet Construction Accident Lawyer to understand your options.
Speak to a Construction Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one were injured in a construction accident, contact the knowledgeable Hemet Construction Accident Attorneys at Walton Law today. Our attorneys have years of experience delivering personalized, dedicated representation to victims like you and have recovered millions of dollars for their injuries. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-338-7079 or by completing our online Contact Page to schedule your free, no obligation initial case evaluation today. The consultation is risk free, and you do not pay until we win your case. Let the attorneys at Walton Law go over the unique facts of your situation and show you how we can secure the maximum compensation for your injuries so you can focus on getting your life back.