Riverside County – Murrieta in particular, is a rapidly developing area with an exploding population and new buildings springing up wherever you look. Just last year, the Murrieta Planning Commission approved a new shopping center development on a 50-acre piece of land in the city’s northeastern corner.

New developments, in conjunction with a population that has grown nearly 11 percent in 8 years, presents new and developing construction opportunities all the time; however, it also brings with it the inherent risks associated with construction workplace dangers.

If you were injured in a construction accident, contact the experienced Murrieta construction accident attorneys at Walton Law immediately for an evaluation of your case and discuss the options available to you.

Construction Injury and Death Statistics

Construction is dangerous and results in frequent injury and death. California alone reported nearly half a million nonfatal injuries in just one year. In fact, construction injuries account for 1 of every 5 in California and there were 75 such fatalities in 2015.

Victims of Murrieta construction accidents may be able to recover damages for their injuries, so it is advisable to speak with a Murrieta attorney experienced in construction accident cases to understand their rights and determine how best to proceed to recover for their injuries.

What Types of Accidents are Considered Construction Accidents?

Construction sites are complex workplaces with many different operations taking place at once such as building, pouring foundations, welding, and hauling in tools and supplies. Because of this variety, there are many risks that can ultimately injure workers and site visitors, such as:

  • Falls – Nearly 22 percent of all construction workers reported injuries sustained by falling off ladders, scaffolds, and roofs
  • Electrocution – Exposed wires, inadequate ground-fault protection, as well as poor connections constitute 10 percent of construction fatalities annually.
  • Collapses –Demolition and construction sites can both experience structural collapse.
  • Equipment Accidents – Dangerous equipment and power tools can malfunction or be used improperly and unsafely, rendering injury.
  • Falling Items – Construction tools, walls, building materials, and other improperly secured or unsecured equipment over worker’s head can fall and strike a worker – even causing injury or death despite use of a hardhat.
  • Unsafe Working Conditions – A construction company’s failure to abide by safety codes and regulations created by OSHA, as well as inadequate or nonexistent site inspections, can fail to detect and correct hazardous conditions that may injure or kill workers.

Severe injuries may carry disastrous, life-changing consequences for the victim and render them unable to work construction again during their lifetime. You should consult with a Murrieta construction accident attorney to understand how the facts of your situation may entitle you to compensation for your injuries.

How Much Is My Construction Accident Case Worth?

Construction accident injuries commonly leave victims and their families with large medical bills and long-terms expenses in addition to other long-term and lifetime challenges they may not have expected. California law provides that victims of construction accidents, upon a finding of negligence by the injuring party, may recover damages both to reimburse them for their harms and even to punish the wrongful behavior of the injuring party.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are designed to make a victim whole for the injuries they suffered due to the other party’s negligent conduct. Some compensatory damages are awarded for quantifiable injuries that may be substantiated through evidence including:

  • Hospital bills;
  • Paychecks; and
  • Receipts.

Other compensatory damages can be given to reimburse a victim for harms which cannot be quantified. There is no fixed price for emotional trauma, mental suffering, and psychological damage from injuries such as:

  • Mental anguish;
  • Pain and suffering;
  • Disfigurement or scarring;
  • Permanent disability; and
  • Loss of consortium;
  • Punitive Damages

Additionally, once the victim has established they are eligible to receive a compensatory damage award, they may be entitled to additional damages – referred to as punitive damages – which are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter people from engaging in similar conduct in the future or repeating this behavior. Punitive damages may be awarded by a judge or jury if the victim can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the injuring party behaved reprehensibly or grossly recklessly and acted with:

  • Malice;
  • Fraud; or
  • Oppression.

Judges and juries are tasked with evaluating on a case by case basis whether punitive damages are merited and setting the award amount. There is no limit or statutory cap on punitive damages – they are usually large in order to serve their purpose of punishment and deterrence.

What Should I Do If I Am Injured in a Construction Accident in Temecula?

Construction accident injuries are sudden events and the aftermath can be overwhelming, scary, and traumatic. Though taking any action after such a life-altering trauma can seem daunting, there are a few actions to take that can help preserve your health and protect your legal rights going forward while you get your life back on track.

  • Seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the injury.
  • Follow your treatment provider’s recommendations and attend all medical appointments.
  • Talk to your employer to file an accident report – retain a copy of the report and all documentation created pertaining to the accident and the site.
  • Collect witness information and photographs of the accident site if possible.
  • Get copies of any medical records and expenses you incur.
  • Act quickly – California has a 2-year statute of limitations from the date of your injury-causing accident for you to file a personal injury claim in court; if you do not comply with this time limit you may be barred from filing a claim and recovering for your injuries.

Should I Seek Legal Advice for My Construction Accident Injuries?

If you were injured in a construction accident, contact the experienced Murrieta construction accident attorneys at Walton Law immediately for an evaluation of your case and to receive professional advice on the options available to you. The skilled Walton Law attorneys have years of experience delivering aggressive, personalized advocacy for injury victims like you and recovering millions in compensation.

Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-338-7079 or through our online Contact Page to set up your no-risk initial case review. The review is confidential, there is no obligation, and you do not pay unless we win your case.

Our knowledgeable attorneys will review the facts of your situation and help you or your loved ones to obtain the best possible results from your case and for your injuries.

Murrieta Office Location

26636 Margarita Rd #100,
Murrieta, CA 92563
(951) 240-5522