Orange County Jury Awards Injured Construction Supervisor $4.7 Million After Being Struck by Commercial Truck

July 28, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

Orange County Jury Awards Injured Worker $4.7 Million After Being Hit by Commercial Truck

On July 28, 2009, an Orange County jury awarded a severely injured construction supervisor $4.7 million after he was struck by a commercial truck while supervising the installation of a natural gas pipeline in Orange County. The 36 year old man was left with severe injuries that made him disabled and restricted his physical abilities.

The underlying commercial truck accident occurred on December 8, 2006, while the plaintiff was supervising the installation of a natural gas pipeline when he was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by an employee of the defendant making a lunch delivery. The defendant was a franchisee of three El Pollo Loco restaurants. The defendant driver had pulled from a stop sign into the intersection in front of an approaching Toyota 4-Runner. Neither driver saw the other before the collision. After both vehicles struck each other, the Chevy was propelled into the plaintiff, causing severe injury, including a shear fracture of the pelvis and a massive injury to the left shoulder. Total medical care costs exceeded $405,000 and the plaintiff lost $63,000 in income. He underwent three surgeries to stabilize his pelvis and beat two separate bouts of MERSA following the surgeries.

As a result of the accident, the plaintiff was forced to give up his field supervisor position in favor of a sedentary job as an estimator for underground construction. There was no claim for future medical care since the experts on both sides agreed that no medical treatment would improve the plaintiff’s condition. The medical evidence was also largely undisputed. The plaintiff was relegated to a largely sedentary lifestyle following the auto accident. He could not lift over 20 pounds, had difficulty walking over half a mile, and could not sit or stand for prolonged periods. Prior to the car accident, plaintiff was in excellent health and had a very active lifestyle with his wife and two children.

The defendant driver pointed the finger at the driver of the 4-Runner and did not take responsibility for his own role in the accident.

After a jury trial, the jury rejected the argument that the driver of the 4-Runner was negligent and concluded that it was not reasonable for him to anticipate that the driver of the Chevy would enter the intersection when it was unsafe. The jury awarded over $405,000 for past medical costs, past wage loss of over $63,000, past “pain and suffering” of $2,000,000, and future “pain and suffering” of $2,250,000 for the remaining 40 years of plaintiff’s life.

Congratulations to the plaintiff on receiving a fantastic and well-deserved victory. We wish him and his family the best in the future.

San Diego Construction Site Injury

June 1, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

Working at a construction site is one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. In a 2009 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 3.3 million injuries were reported, and more than half were construction workers. Though construction workers are trained on basic safety precautions for handling dangerous equipment, accidents still happen. Whether the injured victim is partially or totally at fault, he is still entitled to workers compensation benefits.

Injuries that Occur on Construction Sites are Tragic and Deadly. A Trained Lawyer Can Make Sure You Get the Compensation You are Entitled To.

Thousands of California and San Diego construction workers are injured every year on construction sites, many of them fatal. Although every construction worker is trained in basic safety precautions for handling dangerous equipment, accidents still happen.

In a 2009 report by the Bureau of Labor, workers on construction sites incurred the most fatal injuries of any industry in the private sector in 2009. Statistics indicate that 1,000 of these employees are killed each year while on the job. Of these, over a third will result from construction site falls.   

Most Common Types of Accidents on Construction Site:

  • Falls
  • Crane accidents
  • Scaffolding accidents
  • Being run over by operating equipment
  • Electrical accidents
  • Trench collapses
  • Fires and Explosions
  • Welding accidents

These accidents are tragic and deadly and can be completely avoided through effective safety measures. Regardless of whether the worker is partially or totally at fault, he is still entitled to benefits.   

How Much Money Will I Get?

The California Workers Compensation Act states that if you are an employee injured on the job, you are entitled to receiving benefits that cover your medical costs and lost wages. Though, there are limitations on these benefits. In most cases, workers’ compensation often does not provide enough money to cover the damages suffered by the worker.

However, the amount of compensation that the injured worker gets depends on if he is an independent contractor, which contractor is responsible for workers’ compensation insurance coverage, and whether there is a third party liability claim. If there is a third-party liability claim, the injured victim may be entitled to more compensation and can sue for both workers compensation and personal injury.   

Contact a Construction Site Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured on a construction site, the experienced San Diego construction site injury attorneys will make sure you get compensated for your medical costs and lost wages. We understand that injuries suffered at construction sites can be severe and life-altering and will get you the benefits you are entitled to.

Explosion Rattles San Diego Construction Site; Injures 14

May 27, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

On Tuesday, the windows of our office rattled. It wasn’t an earthquake, but it seemed like it was from an explosion. Only later on that afternoon did we discover that an explosion had occurred at the nearby Downtown San Diego Hilton, injuring 14.

Original thoughts turned to whether the incident was a terrorist attack. Then to whether a boiler in the hotel had exploded. Now it appears that the accident was caused by a natural gas leak inside the hotel.

Of the 14 injured, three were critically injured and were placed into medically induced comas. These workers sustained burns from 20-35 percent of their bodies, including some areas of third-degree burns. They were taken to the UCSD Medical Center burn unit for treatment.

Construction accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries, leading either to permanent injuries or death. In those cases, an injured worker or his family needs an experienced group of lawyers to navigate through the Workers’ Compensation and Civil systems in order to maximize the recovery that will provide for that worker and his family for the remainder of his life.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a construction accident, please contact us for a free consultation.

Why are San Diego Construction Sites So Dangerous for Workers?

February 23, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

No matter where one works, people are always at risk for some form of work-related injury due to the various hazards present in workplaces in San Diego and across the country. However, while many workplaces only feature a few dangers or hazards that do not usually have catastrophic consequences, construction sites feature some of the greatest hazards and the potential for many types of workplace injuries in San Diego and the U.S. as a whole to occur.

Construction sites feature heavy equipment, unstable structures, and dangerous tools that can easily cause injuries, even when workers are being cautious. Some of the dangers present in most construction sites include:

  • Exposed wires;
  • Falling objects;
  • Unstable scaffolding;
  • Moving cranes and swinging objects;
  • Nail guns;
  • Construction vehicles;
  • Falling objects;
  • Trenches and pits; and
  • Unfinished and unstable buildings.

While not all of the dangers will result in accidents at every construction site, they present a high risk to all present, and even extensive safety precautions and responsible workers cannot prevent all accidents. These hazards also have a high likelihood of causing serious and even fatal accidents due to their extreme nature. Those injured, or the families of those that have died in construction accidents, have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits.

Even though construction sites are known to be hazardous, it doesn’t make the injury claims of construction workers any less valid. If you have been injured while on the job, the San Diego construction accident lawyers have the experience and skills to help you find worker’s compensation. Contact our offices for further information on how we can help you.

Man Injured Last Summer in San Diego Construction Walkway Collapse Dies

February 12, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

Last August, a covered construction walkway at the intersection of Imperial Ave between 15th and 16th Streets in the East Village area of San Diego collapsed on several pedestrians, seriously injuring three people.

One of the three seriously injured pedestrians was Tyrone Allen, a 49 year-old-man. After an extended hospital stay, Allen moved to a nursing home where he lived until this past Tuesday night when he was taken to a hospital. Allen passed away shortly after 2 a.m.

There is no specific word on the cause of Allen’s death, but officials from the Medical Examiner’s Office said Allen was suffering from complications from his injuries. A pathologist was scheduled to examine him yesterday.

Cal-OSHA is investigating the construction accident and the company that erected the scaffolding next to the walkway. The results of the investigation are expected to be released in a few weeks.

We send our sympathies to Mr. Allen’s family.