Construction Accident Attorneys – Sacramento, CA

Construction work remains one of the most hazardous industries in California, and Sacramento is no exception. Every year, Sacramento-area construction workers suffer serious injuries on worksites – from falls and electrocutions to heavy-equipment accidents and traumatic head injuries. These accidents don’t just cause pain and suffering; they also lead to costly medical bills, lost wages, and long-term disabilities. Hiring an experienced Sacramento construction accident attorney can make all the difference in recovering the full compensation you deserve. At State Law Firm, our Sacramento construction accident attorneys have decades of experience protecting the rights of injured workers.

Common Construction Site Accidents and Injuries

Construction sites in Sacramento pose numerous hazards. Some of the most common causes of construction accidents include:

• Falls from Heights and Slips: Workers can fall from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, or through floor openings. Even a short fall can cause broken bones or spinal injuries. (Falls are a leading cause of construction fatalities in California.)
  
• Scaffolding and Trench Collapses: Poorly secured scaffolds or unsafe trenches may collapse and bury or crush workers. Being caught in a trench cave-in or a scaffold failure often results in serious or fatal injuries. (Learn more about preventing scaffolding accidents and collapses.)
  
• Struck-by Objects: Falling tools, materials, or equipment – or even moving vehicles like forklifts and cranes – can strike workers and cause severe trauma or head injuries.
  
• Heavy Equipment Accidents: Large machinery such as forklifts, excavators, bulldozers, or cranes can malfunction or be misused, leading to crushing injuries or run-over accidents. (Our firm offers specialized help for victims of heavy equipment accidents on the job.)
  
• Electrical Hazards: Contact with live electrical wires, power lines, or poorly maintained equipment can electrocute workers. Exposed wiring and lack of proper lockout/tagout procedures are common culprits in construction site electrocution injuries. (Read about preventing workplace electrocution injuries and staying safe around power sources.)
  
• Chemical and Environmental Hazards: Exposure to toxic substances (like asbestos, silica dust, or harsh chemicals), as well as extreme heat or cold on outdoor job sites, can lead to illnesses (e.g. lung damage) or environmental injuries like heat stroke.
  
• Repetitive Stress & Overexertion: Construction work is physically demanding. Repeated heavy lifting, constant bending, or using vibrating power tools can cause musculoskeletal injuries, sprains and strains, or cumulative trauma (like back injuries or carpal tunnel syndrome).
  
• Welding Accidents & Explosions: Welding without proper protection can lead to serious eye injuries (welder’s flash) and burns. Improper handling of flammable materials or gas lines on site can result in fires or explosions that cause catastrophic burn injuries.
  
• “Caught-In/Between” Injuries: A worker’s body or limbs can get caught in machinery or pinned between heavy objects. These accidents often cause crushing injuries, internal organ damage, or amputations of fingers, hands, or limbs.
  

Construction accidents result in thousands of injuries each year in California (our home state). Many incidents lead to life-changing harm, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage – even a “minor” fall can cause a concussion or worse. In fact, a recent year saw California’s construction industry suffer the highest number of workplace fatalities statewide, with falls being the leading cause. Recognizing these common hazards is the first step in prevention. The next step after an accident is securing experienced legal help. A dedicated construction accident attorney in Sacramento will investigate your accident, gather evidence, and determine who is liable.

Liability in construction accidents is often complex and may be shared by multiple parties. Depending on the situation, responsibility could lie with the general contractor, a subcontractor, a property owner, an equipment manufacturer, or even a co-worker. For example, if a scaffold collapse was caused by defective components, the equipment manufacturer may be at fault – a scenario of product liability involving unsafe construction equipment. Knowing where to look for liability is crucial. A skilled lawyer will identify all negligent parties and hold them accountable, maximizing your potential compensation.

California Workers’ Compensation for Construction Injuries

In California, nearly all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This no-fault workers’ comp system means that if you are hurt on the job – including on a construction site – you are entitled to certain benefits regardless of who caused the accident. You do not have to prove that someone else’s negligence led to your injury in order to receive basic coverage. Instead, you only need to show that the injury happened while you were performing work-related duties. Under California’s no-fault framework, benefits kick in quickly, ensuring you get needed medical care without waiting for a lengthy lawsuit to resolve.

However, there are important procedures and deadlines to follow in a workers’ comp claim. For example, you must report the injury to your employer within 30 days (and the sooner the better) and file an official claim form (known as a DWC-1) to start the process. Failing to meet these requirements could jeopardize your benefits. A California workers’ comp attorney can guide you through the required steps, making sure you meet all legal deadlines and properly document your injury.

What benefits are available? Workers’ compensation provides several key benefits to injured construction workers, including:

• Medical Treatment: Coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical care, hospital bills, medications, therapy, and rehabilitation related to your work injury.
  
• Temporary Disability Payments: Wage replacement if you cannot work while recovering. Typically, this is about two-thirds of your average weekly wage (subject to state maximums) paid while you are temporarily disabled and healing.
  
• Permanent Disability Benefits: Compensation for lasting impairments or disabilities. If your construction injury results in a permanent loss of function (for example, chronic back pain or paralysis), you may receive an award based on the severity of your disability.
  
• Job Retraining/Vocational Rehabilitation: If you cannot return to your old construction job due to your injuries, California’s program may provide resources or vouchers for retraining and education for a new career.
  
• Death Benefits: If a construction accident is tragically fatal, the worker’s dependents (spouse, children or other dependents) can receive death benefits. These include funeral and burial expenses and ongoing financial support (a portion of the worker’s wages) for a set period of time.
  

These benefits cover most on-the-job injuries – from sprained ankles and fractured bones to severe head and spine injuries. But workers’ comp has limitations: temporary disability payments are capped (and only a portion of lost wages is paid), and no compensation is provided for pain and suffering or other non-economic damages under the workers’ comp system. This is why a good construction injury lawyer will also explore whether you have a third-party claim in addition to your workers’ comp claim. If someone other than your employer (for example, a negligent driver, subcontractor, or equipment manufacturer) contributed to your accident, you may have the right to sue that party for damages that go beyond what workers’ comp covers (such as pain and suffering and the remainder of your lost earnings).

Learn more: For an overview of how California’s no-fault system works and what benefits you can receive, visit our California Workers’ Compensation Lawyers page. We also offer a detailed guide on How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in California that walks you through each step of the claims process. Additionally, you can read 4 Common Workers’ Compensation Claims and Their Causes to understand frequent workplace injury scenarios and why they occur on job sites.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim – Step by Step

After a construction accident on the job, it’s important to act quickly to protect your rights. Here are the basic steps to follow when filing a workers’ comp claim in California:

1. Seek immediate medical attention. Your health comes first. Go to an emergency room or doctor right away and tell them, “I was injured at work.” This ensures your treatment is documented as a work-related injury. Be honest and thorough in describing all injuries and symptoms. Keep copies of all medical records, doctor’s notes, test results, and bills as evidence of your injuries.
   
2. Notify your employer in writing. California law gives you 30 days to formally notify your employer of a work injury, but don’t wait – report the accident as soon as possible. Inform your supervisor or HR department in writing (e.g. an email or incident report) and include details of what happened and when. Make sure an official accident report is created. (Our attorneys often help clients prepare clear incident reports to ensure the facts are documented accurately.)
   
3. Obtain and fill out the claim form (DWC-1). Your employer is required to provide you with a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (known as DWC-1). You can also download it from the state’s website if needed. Fill out the “employee” portion of the form with details about when, where, and how you were injured, and which parts of your body were affected. Be thorough and keep a copy for yourself. If your employer doesn’t give you the form, or if you need help completing it, our legal team can assist you.
   
4. File the claim form. Turn in the completed DWC-1 form to your employer (or their workers’ comp insurance carrier). Once you submit the form, the employer’s insurance has 14 days to send you a status letter on your claim (e.g. accepted, denied, or needing more investigation). During this period, document any communications you receive. If your claim is delayed or denied unfairly, contact an attorney right away – unfortunately, insurance adjusters sometimes try to downplay injuries or miss deadlines at the expense of the worker. Our firm can step in to protect your rights if you encounter a denied workers’ comp claim.
   
5. Continue your treatment and follow medical advice. After filing, make sure you attend all doctor appointments and follow your treatment plan. Tell your doctors about any new or worsening symptoms. Keep a journal of your recovery and how the injuries affect your daily life and ability to work. Following through with treatment not only helps you heal but also creates a clear record of your injuries over time.
   
6. Know your rights during the process. You cannot be fired or punished for filing a workers’ comp claim – it’s illegal for an employer to retaliate. Also, after 30 days from your first report of injury, you generally have the right to switch to a different doctor (outside of your employer’s network) for your care, if desired. If the insurance company is refusing necessary treatment or pressuring you to return to work too early, your attorney can intervene and fight for your right to proper medical care and time to heal.
   

Filing a workers’ comp claim can involve a lot of paperwork and important deadlines, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our workers’ compensation attorneys guide clients through every step, handling the forms, communications, and any appeals if needed. For a clear overview of the entire claims process, you can also refer to our in-depth blog post How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in California. With our help, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal details.

Calculating Compensation and Maximizing Your Recovery

As Sacramento construction injury lawyers, we know that fair compensation must cover all of your losses – not just the basics. Workers’ comp benefits will pay for your medical bills and a portion of lost wages, but they often leave significant gaps. For serious injuries, our team looks at every avenue of recovery to make sure you are fully compensated. This comprehensive approach can include:

• Lost Wages and Future Income: We calculate all the earnings you’ve lost while unable to work, as well as future income you might lose if you can’t return to your regular construction job. Severe injuries might prevent you from working in construction (or working at all) for months, years, or permanently. We pursue compensation for both past and future wage loss so that you and your family are financially protected.
  
• Permanent Disability: If you suffer a lasting impairment, we ensure your workers’ comp permanent disability rating properly reflects your limitations and loss of function. We may consult medical and vocational experts to demonstrate how your injury (e.g. a spinal cord injury or loss of limb) impacts your ability to earn a living. You deserve compensation that acknowledges the long-term consequences of your injury.
  
• Third-Party Claims for Pain & Suffering: If a party other than your employer caused or contributed to the accident – for example, a negligent subcontractor, a reckless driver, or a defective equipment manufacturer – then you have the right to file a third-party personal injury claim in addition to your workers’ comp claim. In such a lawsuit, you can seek damages that workers’ comp doesn’t cover, including the full remainder of your lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering, and other losses like emotional distress. We aggressively pursue these claims alongside your comp case to maximize your overall recovery. (Learn how comparative fault and third-party liability can affect construction accident cases on our blog.)
  
• Wrongful Death: Tragically, some construction accidents are fatal. California law allows certain family members to file a wrongful death claim to recover for the financial support and companionship lost when a loved one dies due to negligence. If you lost a family member in a Sacramento construction accident, our attorneys will handle the workers’ comp death benefits process and any wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. We know nothing can undo the loss, but we fight to ensure your family receives justice and fair compensation to secure your future.
  

Construction site injuries often result in catastrophic harm. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), for example, are unfortunately common on worksites – even a seemingly moderate fall from a ladder can cause a concussion or worse. (Our guide on concussions and loss of consciousness explains how a head injury can have serious, long-term effects.) We have handled many TBI cases, as well as severe spinal cord injuries, amputations, and burn injuries resulting from construction accidents. For more detailed information on brain injury cases and your legal options after a head trauma, see our resource Traumatic Brain Injury Accident Legal Rights (a comprehensive guide for accident victims). In every case, our lawyers work closely with medical specialists to prove the full extent of your injuries and disabilities – including the “invisible” impacts like chronic pain, PTSD, or cognitive impairments – so that you receive the maximum compensation available.

Likewise, if the worst happens and a worker loses their life, our firm is experienced in handling the aftermath with compassion and urgency. We assist surviving families in both obtaining their rightful workers’ comp death benefits and pursuing a wrongful death claim in civil court against any negligent parties. No amount of money can replace a life, but holding the wrongdoers accountable can provide a sense of justice and critical financial support for the family left behind.

Why Choose State Law Firm – Sacramento Construction Accident Lawyers

State Law Firm is a California-based law firm that specializes in helping injured workers and accident victims. We have offices across the state – for example, our teams in Los Angeles and San Diego regularly recover millions of dollars for construction accident clients. Whether your case is in Sacramento or anywhere in California, we bring the same dedication, resources, and proven approach to get results. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Decades of Experience: Our attorneys have handled hundreds of workers’ compensation and personal injury cases, including countless construction accident claims. We know the tactics that insurance companies use to reduce payouts, and we counter them with solid evidence and legal expertise honed over decades.
  
• Specialized Expertise: Construction accident cases require knowledge of OSHA regulations, state and federal safety codes, and the construction industry’s best practices. Our lawyers stay up-to-date on all California workplace safety laws and building standards. We know how to identify safety violations (e.g. OSHA infractions) and use them to prove negligence. This specialized insight can be the key to winning complex construction injury cases.
  
• Personal Attention: We believe in treating clients like family. You will work directly with an attorney – not get lost in a shuffle of cases. We take the time to answer your questions, keep you informed at every stage, and provide compassionate guidance. You will never feel like “just a number” with State Law Firm.
  
• No Fees Unless We Win: We handle construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no upfront costs and no attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you. We even advance all case expenses, so you never pay out-of-pocket. This guarantees that anyone can afford top-quality legal representation. (Learn more about our contingency fee policy on our California Workers’ Compensation Lawyers page.)
  
• Free Consultation: We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to evaluate your case. In this initial meeting, we will listen to your story, explain your legal rights, and outline your options. You’ll receive an honest assessment of your claim so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed.
  

Get Your Free Consultation Today! When you hire State Law Firm, we take over the hassles of the legal process so you can focus on healing. Our team will handle communication with the insurance adjusters, your employer, and medical providers. We’ll gather evidence, build a strong case, and negotiate aggressively to secure the full compensation you deserve. If the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement, we are ready to fight for you in court – whatever it takes to get justice for you and your family.

How to Get Help After a Construction Accident in Sacramento

After a construction accident in Sacramento, contact State Law Firm as soon as possible. Time is of the essence – evidence like accident scene photos, machinery data, and witness testimony can disappear quickly. The sooner our legal team can start investigating, the better we can preserve critical proof of what went wrong.

Call us 24/7 at (877) 659-9223 for a free case evaluation. Our attorneys are available around the clock, and we can even travel to meet you at a convenient location in the Sacramento area. Whether you’re in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, or any nearby community, we’re ready to help. (We also offer services in Spanish – hablamos español – so all clients can comfortably discuss their case.)

Remember: in California you have a limited time to file your claims. Don’t risk missing important deadlines set by the law. (Workers’ comp claims have strict filing timelines, and personal injury lawsuits generally must be filed within two years of the accident.) If you wait too long, you could lose your right to compensation. Our legal team makes sure all paperwork is filed on time so your case stays on track.

Whether you need help with the workers’ comp paperwork (like submitting the DWC-1 form) or you have grounds for a complex third-party lawsuit, our Sacramento construction accident attorneys are here for you every step of the way. We have guided many injured construction workers through the claims process and secured substantial settlements and verdicts that covered their medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care needs.

Construction work helps build our communities – but it should never put workers at unnecessary risk. At State Law Firm, protecting Sacramento’s construction workers is our mission. We understand that your job is tough and essential, and when you get hurt doing that job, you deserve an advocate who will fight tirelessly for you.

Contact State Law Firm today for a free consultation. We’ll review the details of your accident, explain your legal options, and help you take the next steps toward justice and recovery. Let our skilled Sacramento construction accident attorneys go to work for you, so you can focus on healing and moving forward with your life.