At Maison Law Bakersfield, our team is here to support all of the hard-working members of the construction field when they get hurt on the job. If you or a loved one was hurt while working construction in Bakersfield on a house, commercial property, or other project related to construction services, get in touch with Maison Law Bakersfield today. We will help you reserve a time for your free consultation with a Bakersfield construction accident lawyer to review your incident and explain how the legal system and the Worker’s Compensation Program can help you overcome the expenses and hardships caused by workplace injuries that occurred on a construction site. Our staff will also explain California labor code 1171.5 which states that the injury victim’s legal status will have no impact on their right and ability to get help from the California Worker’s Comp Program.
Do I Need a Bakersfield Construction Accident Lawyer
All Bakersfield construction accident victims need to understand that they are NOT legally required to hire a Bakersfield construction accident lawyer to represent them in any legal matter related to their workplace injuries or when processing a California Worker’s Compensation claim related to the construction accident and injuries. However, there are many reasons why you should carefully consider seeking legal counsel before making any choices that could impact the services, benefits, and compensation you receive after getting hurt while working construction.
The simple fact is that you could sustain serious injuries on a construction site through no fault of your own. And the benefits that are provided to you by the California Worker’s Comp Program will be vital in allowing you to get the medical care and other assistance you need to move past this traumatic, painful, and upsetting incident. The reality of your situation is that in most cases, there are losses from a workplace accident that are not going to be recovered through your Worker’s Comp benefits. However, when you have the Maison Law Bakersfield team of construction accident lawyers working to protect your rights and future, the benefits package you receive from Worker’s Comp and any compensation you secure via a lawsuit will be more robust than if you pursued this process on your own.
The consultation and case evaluation are always free. Even after you have gained all of this professional insight and guidance, you are never obligated to hire Maison Law Bakersfield or take any action related to a lawsuit or claim with the California Worker’s Compensation Program. Our only goal is to provide Bakersfield construction accident victims with all the information needed to make a wise, well-informed choice about how to protect their best interests.
Request Your Free Consultation
When you get hurt at work on a Bakersfield construction site, you might have many questions about who is to blame for your injuries, whether that blame really impacts the help you might get, and how to ensure you receive all the help you deserve. But you are also likely to be focused on the cost of legal services and your limited funds when you cannot work and earn a paycheck.
At Maison Law Bakersfield, our focus is on ensuring that every workplace accident victim understands their options and how to get the protection and peace of mind they deserve so they can focus on healing. Please contact our staff today to schedule a meeting with a Bakersfield construction accident lawyer and explore all your options before you lose the opportunity due to time limits for taking action.
Common Construction Site Accidents and Injuries
As a construction worker in Bakersfield, you know that your job is typically physically demanding. But what you might not consider each day when you arrive at the jobsite is that there is an abundance of ways you might sustain an injury on the job that is not your fault or possibly really anyone’s fault. But they still cause harm that can alter the course of your life or result in life-threatening injuries.
Some of the most common Bakersfield construction site injuries include:
- Falls that can include falls from a ladder or scaffolding or from a platform or other work surface
- Struck by an object injuries that can range from an item being dropped from overhead to a tree or piece of a structure or equipment falling on the worker
- Crushing injuries that are often the result of being caught between two objects that could include a piece of heavy equipment, a vehicle, a structure, or other large object on the property
- Electrical injuries that can range from a shock or burn to an electrocution from contact with hot wires or damaged electrical devices
- Exposure to toxic substances that could include cleaning agents, solvents, or other chemicals used in the construction of a building
Sadly, many of these common accidents can result in devastating injuries that leave the victim with life-long pain and limitations or even threaten their lives, such as:
- Broken or shattered bones
- Compound fractures
- Severe lacerations
- Puncture wounds that can often result in organ damage
- Destruction of the soft connective tissue of a joint and dislocation of the bones
- Back, neck, or spinal cord damage
- Head injuries that can include a skull fracture, severe concussion, or other traumatic brain injuries
- Injuries to the face that involve harm to the skin, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, or ears
California Worker’s Comp Benefits
What many employees do not understand is that the benefits they receive from the Worker’s Comp Program are awarded or distributed on an as-needed basis. So, there are no standard payouts for specific injuries. That makes the hard work of your Maison Law Bakersfield construction accident lawyer even more valuable for you. Their expertise in relating your needs and expenses is the best way to ensure you receive as much help as possible from the program in these key benefit categories:
- Your lost income will be partially compensated when you are unable to work after a workplace construction injury
- You will be able to seek compensation for long-term disability if your Bakersfield construction injuries result in a permanent limitation or disability that harms your earning potential
- Vocational training can be provided for injured Bakersfield construction workers who will never be capable of returning to their career in construction because of their on-the-job injuries
- The medical care coverage provided by the Worker’s Comp Program will cover up to $1M in medical expenses related to the care of your Bakersfield construction accident
Added Assistance from your Bakersfield Construction Accident Lawyer
The help provided by the California Worker’s Compensation Program is sure to provide some relief from your mounting medical bills and other hardships created by a construction site injury. But some items could have a lingering financial impact that are not addressed. The loss of personal items damaged or destroyed in the incident can be costly. Personal devices like a phone or smartwatch can create thousands in losses. Specialty work attire, including boots, safety gear, and even your tools, can add hundreds more in losses. And your pain and suffering should be addressed.
While your Worker’s Comp claim is not going to provide resolution for these losses, your Maison Law Bakersfield construction accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for these losses and expenses via a personal injury lawsuit. Reach out to the Maison Law Bakersfield team today to learn more about getting complete compensation for your losses and expenses due to a Bakersfield construction accident.
Time Limits for Bakersfield Construction Accident Claims
There are a few time limits that are vital for all Bakersfield construction accident victims to understand. The first is that you need to alert your employer to your accident and injuries within 30 days of the incident to take the first step in opening your Worker’s Comp claim. The documentation for that claim must be filed with the program staff within a year of the Bakersfield construction accident. If you fail to meet the timeline as defined by the Worker’s Compensation Program, you could be denied benefits for your workplace injury claim.
If you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit related to your on-the-job injuries, please keep in mind that the Statute of Limitations for your case is two years from the date of the incident. That time limit is strictly enforced, and if you wait longer than the 2-year period, you will typically have the lawsuit dismissed and will not be able to litigate the case to seek compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bakersfield Construction Accident Claims
How can I confirm I have Worker’s Comp coverage if I never paid a premium?
You can reach out to the Worker’s Comp Program to confirm you have coverage if you like, or contact Maison Law Bakersfield for assistance. But in general, you should know that all employers in the state are legally required to participate in the California Worker’s Comp Program and cover all the costs of enrollment and employee participation.
What happens if my employer has opted out of the California Worker’s Compensation Program?
If the company elects to opt out of the program, it must provide employees with a self-funded, employer-created, and employer-overseen program that offers similar benefits for an injured on-the-job employee.
What injuries are covered under the Worker’s Comp Program?
The California Worker’s Compensation Program covers all workplace injuries as long as the incident occurred while the employee was working at their regular job, was not under the influence of any mind-altering substance at the time of the accident, and the incident was in no way caused by roughhousing or ignoring safety processes and protocols. Finally, know that all workers, including those who are undocumented, can get help from this exceptional program.
Contact a Bakersfield Construction Accident Lawyer
After sustaining a workplace injury on a Bakersfield construction site, you need to understand all of your rights and options to get the financial help needed to overcome this hardship. At Maison Law Bakersfield, we provide a free case evaluation and consultation to answer all the nagging questions keeping you awake at night. Soon, you can take action with confidence and relax knowing the matter will soon be resolved.
When you hire Maison Law Bakersfield to litigate your case, you will be pleased to learn that we never ask for any upfront payments or legal fees. We work on a contingency basis and only get paid after the matter is settled, ensuring you never incur additional expenses that could increase your stress and financial burden.