The business of construction in growing cities such as Menifee is a necessary but dangerous one – in California alone 1 of every 5 workplace deaths occurs in the construction industry, and over 70 fatalities occur from these accidents annually. This means there are nearly 1 million nonfatal reported construction injuries in California each year and untold numbers of additional injuries going unreported. If you are hurt in a construction accident in Menifee, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries – it is wise to speak with an experienced construction accident attorney to learn more about your options.
Risk Factors for Construction Accidents in Menifee
Menifee is a rapidly growing town, as residents of more densely populated urban areas such as Los Angeles are moving out to the once largely agricultural area and have pushed the population to over 93,000 with no signs of stopping. In recent years, in addition to large amounts of residential construction, project that have started or been completed include:
- The Shoppes at the Lakes on the corner of Newport & Menifee;
- UPS on Sherman Road;
- Fire Station 7 on Bradley Road;
- LA Fitness on Antelope Road at Newport Road;
- The Interstate 215 at Newport Road Interchange; and
- Newport Road Widening and Resurfacing Project.
The copious construction projects consistently arising in Menifee, along with the growing population, create ample opportunities for workers and construction site visitors alike to be hurt in an accident and suffer severe, potentially catastrophic injuries.
What Type Qualifies as A Construction Accident?
Construction sites are hubs of many different activities occurring simultaneously. Creating, remodeling, and demolishing structures usually requires numerous activities happen during the process – welding, electrical work, hauling tools and supplies, working on ladders or scaffolding, and pouring foundations, for example. The large number of tasks taking place corresponds with a high number of risks existing on site that could cause harm to workers and visitors alike. Common causes of injury include:
- Falls
- Equipment accidents
- Unsecured or falling items
- Unsafe working conditions not compliant with OSHA regulations
- Structural collapse
- Fire
- Electrocution
The list of potential risks is nearly endless, so if you have been injured in any way on a construction site it is wise to speak with an experienced construction accident attorney in Menifee to learn if your injury may have given you a legal right to compensation.
How Do I Get Compensated for My Injuries?
The most common method of recovering compensation for your construction action injuries in Menifee is filing a lawsuit in civil court alleging another party’s negligence resulted in your injuries. To succeed, you must show the other party had a legal duty of care to you, breached that duty either though an affirmative act or an omission (failure to act when they should have), and that this breach of duty resulted in your injuries. Because of the often-complex arguments that must be made to establish a breach of duty and establish that breach as the proximate cause of your injuries, it is advisable for an experienced construction accident attorney to handle such legal hurdles.
What Damages Can I Recover?
If you establish another party’s negligence and they cannot raise any valid legal defenses for their actions, they become liable for your damages. The victim of a construction accident can recover for injuries they can prove to a court, known as compensatory damages.
Economic compensatory damages are substantiated damages with a definite price tag that can be established through evidence like receipts, hospital bills, and paychecks. These are most often awarded for:
- Medical treatment and future medical care or accommodations required to function in life;
- Lost wages and lost future earning potential; and
- Burial expenses.
Noneconomic compensatory damages are awarded for injuries that cannot be quantified simply with a receipt or an invoice – these are harms inflicted by emotional, mental, and psychological trauma as well as permanent physical harms the victim has suffered. Common examples include:
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish;
- Permanent disability;
- Scarring or disfigurement;
- Emotional distress; and
- Loss of consortium.
What Steps Should I Take If I Am Injured in a Construction Accident?
It can be overwhelming if you are injured in a construction accident no matter the circumstances. The injuries themselves can be traumatic – especially in conjunction with any unexpected family, financial, or emotional stress added by your injuries and their far-reaching consequences. Even though it may seem incomprehensible that you motivate yourself to take action, it is critical to accomplish certain tasks to care for your physical well-being, safeguard any legal rights and claims you may have, and take steps to return your life to normal as much as possible.
Once you have been involved in a construction accident:
- Get medical attention as quickly as possible;
- Abide by your treating physician’s treatment plan and orders, take medication as prescribed, and attend all scheduled appointments;
- File an accident report with your employer;
- Collect evidence – get witness information, photograph the site of the accident, photograph your injuries, and keep copies of all official reports, medical records, and expenses incurred; and
- Speak with an experienced construction accident attorney.
Additionally, it is important not to delay in acting – time is not on your side. Personal injury claims, including injuries resulting from construction accidents, have a 2-year statute of limitations in California. This means if you do not file your legal claim in court within 2 years from the date of your injury, you are statutorily barred from filing. Any claim you file after that date is subject to dismissal, and you will permanently lose your legal right to sue.
Should I Contact an Attorney?
If you have been injured in a construction accident in Menifee, contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at Walton Law today. Our attorneys have years of experience delivering personalized representation and aggressive advocacy for victims like you, and we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients’ 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 initial case evaluation today. There is no obligation and no cost for the initial consultation, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Our knowledgeable attorneys will evaluate your unique case and then work diligently to secure the best possible outcome for you for your injuries.