Everywhere you look in Lake Elsinore, you are likely to see construction projects reminding you that the city is still growing past its currently population of over 66,000 residents on a daily basis. Even though the construction is vital to continued development and even brings welcome changes to the city, this growth does not come without risk to construction workers, innocent bystanders, or even mere passersby. If you are hurt in a construction accident – either through your work or even as a result of unluckily being in the wrong place at the wrong time, you should contact an experienced Lake Elsinore construction accident attorney to see if you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Construction Accident Injury Risks in Lake Elsinore
The construction industry in a dangerous one – in California alone, 20% of all workplace fatalities are construction-related, and more than 70 workers die annually. Estimates indicate nearly 1 million reported and untold numbers of unreported construction accident injuries happen in the state each year – a number of these in and around Lake Elsinore. The population boom has necessitated a number of developments and building projects which present near-constant risk to all those involved as well as individuals in close proximity to the construction sites.
In addition to the large numbers of residential and commercial properties constructed and still under construction, Lake Elsinore has other large construction projects including:
- Widening Railroad Canyon Road;
- Diamond Stadium improvement;
- City Hall renovation;
- State Route 74 & Gunnerson Avenue; and
- La Laguna Resort Rehabilitation.
The large number of construction projects combined with the large number of people in Lake Elsinore close proximity to these sites creates copious chances for injury or even death should an accident occur.
What Can Happen to Cause Injury on Construction Sites?
Because so many activities occur simultaneously during construction projects, it should be expected that many types of risk exist on and near these sites. The large number of steps involved in building, remodeling, retrofitting, and demolishing structures inherently bring with them danger. It is not uncommon for workers, site visitors, bystanders, or even people passing by to be hurt or killed due to:
- Construction equipment malfunctions or accidents;
- Falling items;
- Falls;
- Electric shock;
- Structural collapse during construction or demolition; or
- Fires/Burns.
Because the list of risk factors on or around a construction site is nearly limitless, if you were injured you should speak with to experienced Lake Elsinore construction accident attorney in see if you may be entitled to to compensation.
Can I Recover for My Injuries?
The most common method victims of personal injury – including construction accident victims – seek recovery for injuries in Lake Elsinore through civil lawsuits arguing someone’s negligence caused them. To succeed, you must establish:
- The accused owed you a legal duty of care;
- Breached their duty either by an affirmative action or failing to act when they should have; and
- The breach caused your injuries.
Because it often requires complex argument and creative litigation to show a party breached their duty and tie the breach to causation of your injuries, it’s advisable to have an experienced Lake Elsinore construction accident attorney navigate these issues on your behalf.
What Can I Recover for My Injuries?
It’s common to wonder what you are entitled to recover for your construction accident injuries. Once you prove another party was negligent, they become responsible for damages you can substantiate in court unless they raise a valid legal defense excusing their actions.
Victims of negligence are commonly awarded compensatory damages to make them whole for the harms they have suffered. Economic compensatory damages have a definite monetary value which can be shown through documents such as pay stubs, medical bills, and receipts. Judges and juries often award these for harms including:
- Damage to property;
- Medical expenses; and
- Lost wages.
Another type of compensatory damages – noneconomic – are given to make up for injuries with no fixed price tag. There are no concrete values that can be awarded for psychological and emotional harms a victim has endured and may continue to endure for a lifetime. Commonly recognized noneconomic harms which can merit compensatory damage awards are:
- Pain and suffering;
- Disfigurement;
- Permanent disability;
- Emotional distress; and
- Loss of consortium.
If I am Injured in a Construction Accident What Should I Do?
Being injured in a construction accident can be traumatic and overwhelming even before the long-term consequences or stress of unexpected financial burdens comes into play. Though it can seem daunting to be proactive at a time like this, a few simple steps can greatly help your physical recovery, protect the legal claims you may make, and help you get your life back on track as quickly as possible.
If you have been involved in a Lake Elsinore construction accident:
- Seek medical help as quickly as possible;
- Follow your treatment provider’s recommendations, treatment plans and orders; this includes taking medicine as prescribed as well as scheduling and attending all follow up appointments;
- If the accident occurred while you were at work, report it to your employer;
- Get contact information from any witnesses, photograph the scene of the accident, keep copies of all accident reports, hospital records generated, and expenses you incur as a result of your injuries (including lost wages from an inability to work); and
- Contact a Lake Elsinore attorney experienced in handling construction accident cases.
It’s important not to delay – you are on the clock. Construction accidents fall under the personal injury umbrella, which California has given a 2-year statute of limitations from the date of your injury. If you fail to file your lawsuit before the 2-year window closes, you barred from filing. Any civil legal claim you file afterwards may be dismissed by a court and you’ll be permanently unable to seek recovery in the courts for your injuries.
Contact a Lake Elsinore Construction Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one were hurt on or around a Lake Elsinore construction site, contact the skilled construction attorneys at Walton Law as soon as possible. Our attorneys have spent years providing thorough, tailored representation for construction accident victims and recovering millions in compensation 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 a risk-free, no obligation initial case evaluation today. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Our experienced attorneys will review the facts of your case and fight on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries starting today.