Three construction workers were seriously injured in a fall accident at a construction site in San Francisco this week.
The accident occurred in the Dogpatch neighborhood, when the men were working on a six-story building project. They were pouring concrete when they fell three stories down, sustaining serious injuries. A fourth worker also suffered minor injuries.
The construction sector is one of the most dangerous workplaces for California workers, accounting for approximately one out of three fatalities annually. Fall accidents are some of the most serious construction site accidents, and also some of the most preventable ones. Most fall accidents can be prevented through the use of safer work platforms, elevated surfaces, and guardrails. These accidents can also be avoided if workers are provided fall protection gear when they are working at certain elevations.
Construction workers in California who are injured in accidents on a worksite may be eligible for monetary compensation for their injuries under the state’s Workers’ Compensation laws. Compensation after a construction accident can include damages for medical expenses and lost wages. Workers may also be eligible to file short-term and long-term disability claims.
However, in some cases, there may be third parties that may be liable for a construction worker’s injuries. For instance, when an accident is caused due to the negligence of a subcontractor, or a party other than the employer, the victim may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party.
There are other types of construction accidents that may involve third party liability too. For instance, when an accident or injury is caused because of defective equipment, a California construction accident lawyer can often name the manufacturer of the equipment in a third-party lawsuit, opening up another avenue for compensation recovery.
