In California, a cement mason's typical day at work took a horrific turn when a digester tank collapsed on a job site. This catastrophic event left the worker with debilitating back injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What began as a routine assignment quickly escalated into a life-altering disaster.
The injured mason could no longer perform his trade, provide for his family, or enjoy the simple physical movements most of us take for granted. Daily pain and mental anguish became his new reality.
The subsequent legal battle revealed serious safety oversights, poor site management, and a failure to maintain the structural integrity of the tank. After thorough investigation, expert testimony, and relentless advocacy, the court awarded the injured worker a $3.3 million jury verdict, a just outcome for a man whose life was turned upside down.
This case serves as an example of why, following significant accidents on a construction site, it is imperative to hire a qualified construction injury attorney. In the absence of legal counsel, victims frequently encounter difficulties in winding liability matters and become targets of insurance companies' lowball settlement strategies. Your future depends on how well your lawyer fights and prevails in instances like this one.
How Construction Injuries Derail Lives in an Instant
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly 20% of workplace fatalities occur in construction. Falls, electrocutions, falling objects, and equipment failures are the primary causes.
Injuries from these incidents can be catastrophic, including:
- Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Compound fractures and crush injuries
- Severe burns from chemical exposure or electrical faults
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression from traumatic incidents
According to Cal/OSHA statistics, thousands of construction-related injuries occur in California alone each year, with many of them leading to death or permanent disability. In addition to the physical injury, there are other repercussions, such as forced early retirement, increased medical expenses, emotional distress, and lost income.
Many wounded workers accept much less than they are entitled to if they do not have legal assistance. An experienced workplace accident attorney or construction injury attorney is aware of the human cost of workplace accidents in addition to the legal requirements. They strive for restitution that takes into account the actual, long-term effects of your pain.
Why Experience in Construction Law Isn't Optional It's Essential
Construction accident cases are uniquely complex. They often involve multiple liable parties, from general contractors and subcontractors to site managers and equipment manufacturers. On top of that, you're dealing with overlapping safety regulations, insurance loopholes, and time-sensitive evidence.
This is where experience matters:
When it comes to construction accident lawsuits, our legal team at Howell LLP has decades of experience. We are adept at navigating the intricate safety regulations, labor laws, and OSHA rules in California. Trench collapses, defective scaffolding, crane crash, and careless oversight are among the issues we have worked with.
Here's what makes us different:
- We launch immediate investigations to preserve evidence
- We subpoena construction records, safety manuals, and subcontractor agreements
- We work with structural engineers and workplace safety experts to prove liability
- We communicate directly with clients and provide updates at every step
- We charge no upfront fees you only pay if we win
The complexities of your case may be beyond the scope of a standard personal injury lawyer. You need a professional Construction Injury Attorney with the tools, staff, and persistence to win against well-funded opponents.
Trying to Handle a Construction Case Alone? Think Again
After a construction accident, many workers assume workers' compensation will cover their losses. But this is a dangerous misconception. Workers' comp is limited. It doesn't account for pain and suffering, full wage loss, future medical care, or vocational retraining.
Worse, many workers are unaware they may have a third-party claim or legal action against someone other than their employer. This could include:
- Equipment manufacturers who made faulty tools
- Subcontractors who failed to follow safety guidelines
- Property owners who ignored hazardous site conditions
- Supervisors who pressured workers to skip safety steps
These third-party lawsuits can significantly increase your financial recovery but only if they are pursued aggressively and timely.
Trying to manage this alone can be overwhelming. Filing deadlines (statutes of limitations), complex paperwork, and investigative demands are easy to mishandle without legal support. One missed detail can tank your case.
A qualified Construction Injury Attorney ensures every angle is explored and every deadline is met, so your compensation isn't left to chance.
The Tricks Insurance Companies Use to Limit Your Compensation
After an injury, it's common to get a friendly phone call from the insurance company. They may express concern, offer quick cash, or suggest that a settlement is in your best interest. Don't fall for it.
Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to minimize payouts, not ensure your recovery. Some common tactics include:
- Claiming your injury is pre-existing or minor
- Suggesting your actions contributed to the accident
- Delaying treatments or denying approvals to frustrate you into settling
- Pressuring you to accept a low offer before you understand the full scope of your injuries
They also bring in defense attorneys who will argue that your suffering is exaggerated or unrelated to the workplace incident.
An experienced Construction Injury Attorney sees these tactics coming and blocks them early. We document your injuries comprehensively, hire neutral medical experts, and calculate damages for long-term care and emotional trauma.
We also ensure that any offers made reflect your actual losses, not just your immediate expenses.
Long-Term Damage: What They Don't Tell You About Recovery
Many construction injury victims assume they'll recover quickly and return to work. But in reality, healing can be slow and incomplete. Even with surgery, physical therapy, and medication, some injuries never fully resolve.
Common long-term effects include:
- Chronic back pain and mobility issues
- Nerve damage leading to numbness or loss of function
- Emotional trauma such as PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks
- Sleep disturbances and depression
- Loss of earning potential or the inability to return to the same trade
One client of ours, a roofer injured in a scaffold fall, received six surgeries over two years but still walks with a cane. His injury ended a 20-year career in roofing.
This kind of permanent harm must be factored into your settlement. A skilled Construction Injury Attorney will work with life care planners and economists to estimate future medical costs, job retraining, and psychological counseling.
Without this full-picture approach, you could settle for a fraction of what you truly need.
Three Moves That Can Protect Your Rights Immediately After an Injury
Time is everything after a construction site injury. What you do right after the accident can determine how strong your legal case will be later. If you're able or have someone to help, take these three key steps to protect your rights and improve your chances of full compensation.
1. Get Medical Help Right Away
Even if you think your injury is minor, never skip medical care. Some injuries take hours or even days to fully show symptoms.
Why it matters:
- Creates a medical record that links your injury to the job site
- Helps avoid complications from untreated injuries
- Prevents insurance companies from claiming the injury happened elsewhere
- A Construction Injury Attorney will use your medical documentation as a foundation for building a strong case.
2. Collect Evidence While You Can
Job sites change fast equipment moves, hazards are removed, and memories fade. If you're physically able, gather as much evidence as possible at the scene.
Important actions to take:
- Record the equipment, dangers, and accident site using pictures or videos.
- Protect your clothing, boots, hard hat, and other protective things.
- Note the supervisors' and witnesses' names and contact information.
- Note the site's circumstances, the weather, and the precise time.
Later, this spontaneous documentation may prove to be crucial. This evidence can be used to establish responsibility and prove negligence by a knowledgeable construction injury attorney.
3. Consult a Construction Injury Attorney Right Away
Before speaking with an HR representative, supervisor, or insurance adjuster, obtain legal counsel. What you say early on can be used against you later.
Why you need a Construction Injury Attorney from the start:
- Shields you from insurance company tactics and lowball offers
- Helps avoid mistakes like signing away your rights
- Guides you through paperwork, deadlines, and complex laws
- Identifies any third-party liability beyond workers' compensation
The earlier a Construction Injury Attorney gets involved, the more powerfully they can protect your claim and pursue full compensation, including for pain and suffering, future care, and lost income.
What to Know Before You Call a Construction Injury Attorney
Here are answers to common questions many injured workers have:
Do I have a case if I got workers' comp?
Yes, if there's third-party liability, you may be entitled to more than just workers' comp. For example, if faulty equipment, a subcontractor's negligence, or a site owner's oversight contributed to your injury, you could pursue a separate personal injury claim for additional compensation. A Construction Injury Attorney can evaluate the full scope of your legal options.
Can I sue if I'm undocumented?
Yes. In California, undocumented workers still have legal rights and can pursue injury claims. Your immigration status does not bar you from receiving medical care, lost wages, or compensation for pain and suffering. Howell LLP has helped workers from all backgrounds secure justice regardless of documentation status.
What if I was partly at fault?
California follows comparative fault rules, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the incident. Your final award may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you won't be disqualified from recovering damages. A Construction Injury Attorney can help argue for the lowest possible fault percentage.
How much is my case worth?
It depends on the severity of injuries, liability, lost income, and medical expenses. A Construction Injury Attorney will also consider pain and suffering, future medical needs, and reduced earning capacity. Each case is unique, and an experienced lawyer can provide a more accurate estimate after reviewing the facts.
What does a Construction Injury Attorney charge?
Most work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay anything upfront, and they only get paid if they win your case. This allows injured workers to pursue justice without worrying about legal fees. Initial consultations are usually free, so there's no risk in getting advice.
Who's responsible is the employer or subcontractor?
Responsibility depends on the structure of the worksite. Multiple parties could be liable, including subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, property owners, or site managers. An experienced Construction Injury Attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to uncover every responsible party.
How long does a case like this take?
Timelines vary based on case complexity. While some claims may resolve within months, others especially those involving litigation can take a year or more. Factors like medical treatment duration, liability disputes, and insurance negotiation can all impact the timeline.
Can I get pain and suffering compensation?
Yes. While workers' comp does not cover pain and suffering, a separate personal injury lawsuit can. A Construction Injury Attorney can pursue damages for emotional distress, chronic pain, PTSD, and overall impact on your quality of life if another party is found liable.
What if the insurance company already made an offer?
Don't accept anything without reviewing it with an attorney. Early offers are typically much lower than what your case is worth and may not include future damages. A skilled attorney can assess the offer, determine its fairness, and negotiate for the full compensation you deserve.
What makes Howell LLP different?
Howell LLP is notable for its great track record of success, which includes a recent $3.3 million jury verdict, its client-centered and sympathetic approach, and its concentrated experience in construction accident claims. Their staff is dedicated to safeguarding injured workers from being exploited by large insurance companies or careless businesses.
Real Results. Real Clients. Real Justice at Howell LLP
At Howell LLP, we've represented hundreds of injured workers, cement masons, electricians, welders, framers, crane operators, and more. We understand the physical demands of your job and how one accident can derail everything.
Our firm secured the $3.3 million verdict not because the case was simple, but because we fought relentlessly for justice. We brought in medical experts, safety inspectors, and psychologists to build an ironclad case. And we treated the client like family because we know injury recovery isn't just legal, it's deeply personal.
If you or someone you love has been hurt on a construction site, don't navigate the process alone. Talk to a proven Construction Injury Attorney who knows how to protect your rights and maximize your recovery. Your consultation is free. There are no upfront costs. And your case could be worth far more than you think.
Contact Howell LLP today. We're ready to fight for you because you deserve more than just compensation. You deserve justice.
