Construction sites are supposed to follow strict safety regulations, yet accidents still happen far too often because of negligence, unsafe practices, or failing equipment. The aftermath of San Bernardino fatal construction accidents can be devastating.
If you have lost a loved one in a construction accident, a personal injury lawyer could provide support. By investigating what happened, identifying who is liable, and handling claims against employers, contractors, or manufacturers, an experienced construction accident attorney could help you and your family get the compensation you are entitled to.
Common Causes of Fatal Construction Accidents
Fatal construction accidents in San Bernardino often result from a combination of unsafe practices, inadequate training, and hazardous work environments. Falls are the leading cause of death, frequently occurring from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or unprotected ledges. Struck-by incidents, such as being hit by falling tools, equipment, or vehicles, are also common.
Electrocutions occur when workers contact live wires or fail to follow proper lockout/tagout procedures. Caught-in or caught-between hazards involving machinery, trenches, or collapsing structures pose significant risks. Other contributing factors include insufficient safety equipment, lack of proper supervision, fatigue, and human error.
Many of these fatalities are preventable through strict adherence to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, thorough training, and comprehensive safety protocols that protect construction workers.
How an Attorney Can Help After a Fatal Construction Accident
When a construction site death occurs, an experienced San Bernardino attorney could provide critical support to the family of the deceased and any injured parties. By gathering evidence such as safety records, witness statements, and expert reports, they could identify whether negligence, unsafe practices, or violations of OSHA regulations contributed to the fatality.
Lawyers may also oversee complicated legal processes, including workers’ compensation claims, wrongful death lawsuits, and third-party liability claims, ensuring the case meets all deadlines and requirements. Additionally, they negotiate with insurance companies and construction companies to secure fair compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering. An injury lawyer helps families focus on grieving while pursuing justice and accountability.
Legal Challenges With Fatal Construction Accident Claims
Fatal construction accidents often involve complex legal challenges due to the potential for multiple parties to be liable, including employers, contractors, subcontractors, or equipment manufacturers. Determining negligence requires a thorough investigation of safety protocols, OSHA violations, and adherence to industry standards.
You may face challenges in filing a workers’ compensation claim, pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit, or proving third-party liability. Insurance companies often dispute claims, and there are procedural deadlines to follow. Additionally, proving causation and quantifying damages can be complicated.
An experienced wrongful death attorney could help you overcome these challenges, hold responsible parties accountable, and secure fair compensation.
What Compensation Can My Family Seek?
The exact nature and amount of compensation that your San Bernardino family could receive depends on who was responsible for the fatal construction accident. It is possible to receive a workers’ compensation death benefit if the fatality was job-related. You would file a workers’ compensation claim if you cannot prove that there was a negligent party or if the employer was to blame for the fatal injury.
If a third party was responsible for the loss of your loved one, you could file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you can prove negligence, your family is entitled to full compensation for both your economic and non-economic losses. Compensation could include the lost wages that your loved one could have earned, the monetary loss associated with the loss of the relationship, and your family’s grief and trauma.
Contact a San Bernardino Construction Accident Lawyer
If your loved one lost their life while working on a construction site, contact us at the Law Offices of Anthony E. Gluck, PC to speak to an attorney experienced in San Bernardino fatal construction accidents. We could investigate your case and fight to get your family the compensation you deserve.
(909) 885-1620