Everywhere you look in Riverside, you are likely to see construction projects reminding you daily that the city is still growing past its currently population of over 326,000 residents. 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 in the course of doing your job or simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time, contact an experienced Riverside construction accident attorney to see if you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Construction Accident Injury Risks in Riverside
The construction industry in a dangerous one – 20% of all California workplace fatalities are construction-related, and more than 70 workers in the state 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 Riverside. The population boom has necessitated constant developments and building projects which present significant risk to all those involved as well as visitors and individuals in close proximity to the construction sites.
In addition to the large numbers of residential and commercial properties constructed and still under construction, Riverside has other large construction projects including:
- Pedestrian and bicycle lane improvements downtown
- Adding ADA compliant footpaths
- Sewer main replacements on Wood Road
- Construction on the Riverside Avenue underpass at Union Pacific Railroad
The large number of construction projects combined with the large number of people in Riverside close proximity to these sites creates copious chances for injury or even death should an accident occur.
What Can Cause Accidents and Injuries 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;
- Electrical shock;
- Structural collapse; or
- Fires
- Explosions.
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 Riverside 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 Riverside 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 through either an act or an omission; 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 Riverside 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 damages to make them whole for physical, mental, emotional, and financial injuries caused by the at-fault party’s negligence. It’s common to see awards for injuries reflecting:
- Property damage
- Funeral or burial costs
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring, Disability, or Disfigurement.
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 Riverside 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 Riverside 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 Riverside Construction Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one were hurt on or around a Riverside construction site, contact the skilled construction attorneys at Walton Law, APC right away. 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.