Were you injured in a construction accident in Salinas, CA? Contact Mercado Kramer at (888) 311-4050 for a free consultation. Our experienced Salinas construction accident attorneys can help you take legal action, whether it involves a workers’ compensation claim and/or a personal injury lawsuit.
We have over 18 years of combined experience and have secured substantial recoveries for our clients in that time. If you hire us, we’ll work hard to look into all of your legal options and work toward maximum compensation for your case from there. During your free initial consultation, we’ll be able to provide you with some preliminary legal advice about your next steps.
Why Should I Choose Mercado Kramer to Help With My Construction Accident Claim in Salinas, CA?
Construction accident cases in Salinas, California, can be more complex than they appear on the surface. While you can likely file a workers’ compensation claim if you were involved in an accident on the job, you might also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit in some circumstances. Doing so can significantly increase your overall compensation, making it a worthwhile option to consider.
Mercado Kramer is qualified to help you throughout one or both of these legal processes. Clients turn to our Salinas personal injury lawyers because:
- We’ll make your case our priority from the start and won’t hand you off to an associate or case manager.
- Our attorneys have secured numerous multi-million-dollar settlements throughout their legal careers.
- We have been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40” and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
- Our legal team has won dozens of trials and won’t hesitate to take your case that far if necessary.
If you want to learn more or get started with your claim, contact our Salinas workers’ compensation lawyers today to schedule a free case review. We can also answer all your questions at that time.
How Much Is My Salinas Construction Accident Claim Worth?
At the end of the day, every construction accident claim in California is unique. The amount you can recover depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries and whether you’re only filing a workers’ compensation claim or also pursuing a third-party lawsuit.
Some of the most important factors that can influence the value of your claim include:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- Whether you can return to your previous job
- The strength of the evidence supporting your claim
- Whether another party’s negligence caused or contributed to your accident
- Insurance policy terms and limits
- The long-term impact on your earning ability and quality of life
We will carefully evaluate your situation, consult with financial and medical experts, and calculate the actual value of your case before entering any settlement negotiations.
Workers’ Compensation After a Construction Accident in California
Most employers in California are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage for their employees, including those in the construction industry.
Workers’ comp can provide you with certain kinds of benefits after you sustain a workplace injury or illness, such as:
- Temporary disability
- Permanent disability
- Medical care
- Supplemental job displacement
- Death benefits
Workers’ compensation is essentially a “no-fault” system, meaning you can still receive financial relief even if you contributed to the cause of your accident. However, there are rare exceptions, such as if you harmed yourself on purpose.
It’s also important to note that workers’ comp benefits likely won’t be able to fully compensate you for all of your losses, and they won’t compensate you at all for your non-economic damages (like pain and suffering). That’s why it’s almost always worth looking into the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit on top of your workers’ comp claim.
A Personal Injury Lawsuit Following a California Construction Accident
If you were hurt on a construction site as a passerby, your best course of action is likely to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party or parties. While workers’ compensation generally prohibits you from filing this kind of claim against your employer, you can still potentially utilize this option as a construction employee as well.
For example, you can file what is referred to as a third-party personal injury lawsuit if someone other than your employer contributed to your accident.
Scenarios where this may be possible include:
- You were involved in a car accident or truck accident during the course of your work.
- The construction site owner failed to address an unsafe condition on the premises.
- A subcontractor or contractor shares liability for your injuries.
Our construction accident attorneys in Salinas can help you evaluate all of your legal rights and options during your free consultation.
What Damages Are Available After a Construction Accident in Salinas?
If your construction accident claim allows you to pursue damages beyond workers’ compensation benefits, you may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages compensate for the measurable financial costs of your accident, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages/decreased earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages are meant to address the more personal and lasting impacts of your accident, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional distress
In rare cases, a court may also award punitive damages if the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless or intentional. These are meant to punish wrongdoing and discourage similar behavior in the future.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer in Salinas?
You don’t have to worry about the cost of hiring a construction accident lawyer at Mercado Kramer. Our firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay anything up front to hire us.
Instead, our legal fee is a set percentage of any compensation we recover for you. If we don’t win your case, you will owe us nothing in terms of attorney’s fees. This arrangement enables injured workers and their families to access skilled legal representation without incurring additional financial stress.
When you contact us for legal guidance, we’ll explain how the contingency fee structure works and provide all the details as well, so that there won’t be any surprises. Our goal is to make quality legal representation available to everyone who needs it.
What Are Common Causes of Construction Accidents?
Salinas construction workers face serious hazards every day, including exposure to heavy machinery and unstable structures.
Some of the most common causes of construction site accidents in the area include:
- Falls from ladders, scaffolding, and roofs
- Being struck by falling debris and equipment
- Electrical shocks
- Trench and building collapses
- Machinery malfunctions
- Slip and fall accidents caused by uneven surfaces
- Negligent supervision or failure to enforce safety regulations
- Exposure to toxic materials like asbestos
You may be able to take legal action regardless of how your accident occurred, so we encourage you to contact us for a free case evaluation under any circumstances.
How Long Do I Have to File a Construction Accident Lawsuit in California?
California law limits the amount of time you have to take legal action after a construction accident. The specific deadline depends on the type of claim you’re filing:
- Workers’ compensation claims: You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days, and you generally have one year from the date of injury to file a formal claim for benefits.
- Personal injury lawsuits: If you’re filing a third-party lawsuit for negligence, the standard statute of limitations in California is typically two years from the date of your accident.
Missing the applicable time limits can prevent you from recovering any compensation. That’s why it’s critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury takes place. We can help you ensure your claim(s) are filed on time and that they get off to the right start as well.
Contact Our Experienced Salinas Construction Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you were injured on a construction site in Salinas, CA, you may be entitled to significant compensation through workers’ compensation and/or a third-party claim. Our Salinas construction accident attorneys have 18 years of combined experience helping injured workers and their families move forward after serious incidents like these.
We will handle every step of the process, from investigating your claim and negotiating with the insurance companies and, if necessary, representing you in court.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Reach out to Mercado Kramer today to arrange your free consultation. We’ll review the facts and circumstances of your case and help you pursue the full amount of compensation you need and deserve.
