Work-Related Construction Accident Lawyers

Experienced Construction Accident Attorneys in Santa Ana, CA

Construction workers face serious dangers every day, from unstable scaffolding and exposed wiring to defective equipment, unsafe structures, and pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines. These incidents aren’t random. They are often the result of avoidable safety failures, cost-cutting measures, or a disregard for basic worker protections.

California law requires strict safety standards on construction sites. When those rules are ignored, injured workers have the right to seek medical treatment, wage replacement, disability benefits, and, in many cases, additional compensation through personal injury claims against responsible parties.

At Fontes Law Group, we stand up for injured construction workers throughout California. Whether you work as a laborer, roofer, electrician, or heavy equipment operator, our workers’ compensation attorneys act quickly to protect your rights and pursue the full compensation the law allows.

Why Clients Choose Fontes Law Group

Experience. Compassion. Results.

Construction accidents are some of the most serious and most aggressively contested injury claims in California. We know what you’re up against: unsafe job sites, employers who downplay injuries, and insurance carriers looking to protect their bottom line. That’s where we come in.

• Decades of experience handling construction-related workers’ comp
• All team members speak Spanish
• Offices in Santa Ana and Riverside
• No fees unless we win your case
• Trusted by California workers and their families

Scope of Construction Site Injuries in California

Construction workers face some of the highest injury rates of any industry in California. Heavy machinery, elevated work areas, and physically demanding tasks are part of daily life on job sites. When safety rules are ignored or corners are cut, the consequences can be severe.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction consistently ranks among the top industries for serious and fatal workplace injuries. In a recent reporting year, construction workers accounted for nearly one in five fatal workplace accidents nationwide, with falls being the leading cause of death. California also reports tens of thousands of nonfatal construction injuries each year, many resulting in days, weeks, or months away from work.

Common construction site injuries include:

• Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or rooftops
• Crush injuries from collapsing materials, machinery, or vehicles
• Traumatic brain injuries caused by falling objects or blunt-force impact
• Spinal and back injuries from falls or heavy lifting
• Fractures, dislocations, and joint damage, especially to knees, ankles, and shoulders
• Electrical burns and shock injuries
• Repetitive stress injuries from prolonged tool use or equipment operation

These injuries often lead to long-term disability, lost income, or the inability to return to physically demanding work. At Fontes Law Group, we understand the real impact a construction injury has on your life, and we work to make sure the legal system supports your recovery, not the insurance company’s bottom line.

Understanding Construction Accident Claims in California

Construction injuries can happen suddenly or develop over time. California law protects workers in both situations. Under California Labor Code § 3208.1, injuries caused by a specific incident or cumulative trauma are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

You may have a valid claim if your construction job involves:

• Climbing ladders, scaffolding, or uneven surfaces
• Carrying heavy materials or tools
• Operating power equipment or vibrating machinery
• Working long shifts on concrete or other hard surfaces

If your job duties contributed to your injury, even gradually, you may be entitled to medical care, wage replacement, and long-term benefits under California law.

Work-Related Injury Timeline

Every construction injury case follows its own path, but most workers’ compensation claims in California move through a general timeline:

• Initial filing and medical treatment: 1 to 2 weeks

• Investigation and medical exams: 1 to 3 months

• Settlement discussions: 3 to 6 months

• Appeals or litigation: 6 months or longer

Throughout the process, you’re kept informed. We work efficiently to reduce delays, push back against stalling tactics, and make sure your case keeps moving forward.

Understanding Employer Duties and Violations in Construction Accidents

Construction sites are inherently dangerous, which is why California law places strict legal responsibilities on employers to protect workers from preventable harm. When safety rules are ignored or shortcuts are taken, serious injuries often follow, and employers can be held accountable under California labor and workers’ compensation laws.

Employer responsibilities include:

• Providing required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, harnesses, gloves, and steel-toe boots

• Enforcing fall protection on scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and elevated platforms

• Securing tools, equipment, and materials to prevent falling object injuries

• Marking and maintaining safe walkways, trenches, and excavation zones

• Training workers on safety procedures and hazard recognition

• Promptly reporting injuries and initiating the workers’ compensation process

• Carrying active workers’ compensation insurance as required by California Labor Code § 3700

When these duties are ignored, workers are put at serious risk.

Common Employer and Insurance Violations

We frequently see the same dangerous and unlawful practices after construction accidents, including:

• Failing to provide or enforce the use of required safety equipment

• Ignoring known job site hazards or Cal/OSHA violations

• Downplaying injuries or refusing to document them properly

• Delaying or denying medical treatment, testing, or specialist care

• Retaliating against workers who report injuries or raise safety concerns

• Shifting blame to subcontractors or claiming the injury was not work-related

At Fontes Law Group, we take these violations seriously and pursue accountability when employers or insurers break the rules.

Proving Your Construction Accident Case in California

To secure benefits and compensation, we must establish three key elements:

• Your injury is real and supported by medical evidence

• Your job duties or site conditions were a substantial cause of the injury

• Your employer or insurance provider failed to meet their legal obligations

We build cases using medical records, safety citations, job site evidence, and expert testimony to clearly show how the injury occurred and why you are entitled to compensation.

Relevant Legal Standards:

• California Labor Code §§ 3700–3709 – Workers’ comp requirements
• Cal/OSHA Regulations – Safe workplace rules
• QME/AME Evaluations – Used to determine permanent impairment

Understanding Compensation in Construction Accident Cases

A successful construction accident claim through California’s workers’ compensation system can provide critical support while you focus on healing. At Fontes Law Group, we work to secure the full scope of benefits the law allows, not just the limited payments an insurance company may initially offer.

Medical Treatment

Workers’ compensation must cover all medically necessary care related to your construction injury, including:

• Emergency treatment and diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to evaluate fractures, ligament damage, or crush injuries

• Surgery for broken bones, torn tendons, joint damage, or serious impact injuries

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore strength, mobility, and function

• Braces, injections, and mobility assistance such as crutches or other supportive devices

Your care should be based on medical need, including specialist referrals and follow-up treatment, not insurer cost concerns.

Wage Loss and Disability Benefits

If your injury keeps you off the job, compensation may include:

• Temporary disability payments while you recover and cannot work

• Permanent disability benefits if the injury causes lasting limits on movement, strength, or physical ability

We push to ensure your disability rating reflects your real-world limitations and future impact, not an undervalued insurance assessment.

Additional Support and Long-Term Benefits

In more serious construction injury cases, additional benefits may be available, such as:

• Vocational retraining or job reassignment if returning to your prior construction role isn’t possible

• Lump-sum settlements for permanent impairment, ongoing medical needs, or reduced earning capacity

Third-Party Construction Injury Claims

When someone other than your employer caused or contributed to the accident, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or site manager, you may have a separate personal injury claim. These claims can provide compensation for losses not covered by workers’ compensation, including pain and suffering.

At Fontes Law Group, we evaluate every construction accident carefully to identify all available paths to recovery and pursue the maximum compensation allowed under California law.

FAQs About Construction Accident

Helpful Resources for California Residents

California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)
California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
Cal/OSHA Workplace Safety
MPN Doctor Search Tool

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

If you’ve been injured on a construction site, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the stronger your claim will be.

Fontes Law Group is ready to protect your rights, fight back against negligence, and help you recover the compensation you’re owed.

Request a free case review today.