Orange County Construction Accident Lawyer
What an Orange County Construction Accident Lawyer Can Do When Another Company Caused Your Injury
Workers’ compensation may cover an injured construction worker’s medical treatment and part of lost wages, but it does not necessarily end the legal case.
When a general contractor, subcontractor, property owner, or another company created the dangerous condition that caused your injury, California law may allow you to pursue that company separately.
Easton & Easton is an Orange County construction accident lawyer team with experience handling the divided responsibility that makes these cases difficult.
Our attorneys hold lifetime memberships in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction reserved for lawyers who have secured a verdict or settlement of $2 million or more. We recently recovered $26 million for a day laborer injured while servicing a construction site elevator, the largest personal injury settlement in Los Angeles County that year. Across Southern California, our firm has recovered more than $500 million for injured clients.
We look beyond your employer to determine which companies controlled the worksite, who had responsibility for the dangerous condition, and what evidence can establish liability. If another party contributed to your injury, taking prompt legal action after a serious injury in Orange County can help secure compensation that workers’ comp does not cover.
Tell us what happened and who else was working on the site. We can review the circumstances, explain whether a third-party claim may exist, and give you a realistic assessment of your legal options.
Tell us what happened and who else was working on the site. We can review the circumstances, explain whether a third-party claim may exist, and give you a realistic assessment of your legal options.
| $500M+ Recovered | Best Lawyers 2025: All 5 Partners | A+ BBB Rating | Foro de abogados multimillonarios |
From Scaffolding Falls to Trench Collapses: Construction Accident Cases We Handle in Orange County
Construction sites bring multiple employers, contractors, subcontractors, equipment operators, and property owners together. When one of those parties creates an unsafe condition, determining who is legally responsible requires looking beyond the company that employs you.
As an Orange County construction accident lawyer team, we investigate the entire worksite to identify each company involved and the duties it owed. That matters because a serious lesión medular or other severe physical trauma can affect your ability to work, earn overtime, support your household, and continue in the trade.
We handle claims involving:
- Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and unprotected roof edges, particularly when another company assembled, maintained, or inspected the equipment
- Trench and excavation collapses, including cave-ins involving unshored trenches or improperly secured trench plates
- Elevator, hoist, and man-lift accidents involving equipment that was improperly maintained, inspected, or operated
- Struck-by injuries involving falling tools, construction materials, or heavy equipment operated by another crew
- Electrocution and exposed-wiring injuries caused by another contractor’s failure to identify, isolate, or de-energize a hazard
- Crane, forklift, and heavy-equipment accidents involving another contractor’s operator or defective or poorly maintained equipment
- Drywall, framing, and material-handling injuries, including falls while workers are carrying or installing heavy materials at elevation
- Falls through floor openings, skylights, and roof hatches that were not properly covered, guarded, or barricaded
- Third-party negligence claims involving general contractors, subcontractors, equipment companies, and property owners
If another party contributed to your construction injury, you may have a civil claim even if you are already receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
Why Workers’ Comp May Not Cover the Full Cost of a Construction Injury
Workers’ compensation provides important benefits after a workplace injury, but those benefits are limited. Workers’ comp can cover medical treatment and part of your lost wages, but it does not provide compensation for every loss caused by a serious construction accident.
Workers’ compensation does not pay damages for pain and suffering. It also does not necessarily replace your full earnings, including overtime, future wage increases, or other income you could have earned had the injury not occurred.
Most importantly for a third-party claim, workers’ comp does not prevent you from pursuing another company whose negligence caused your injury.
California Labor Code § 3852 preserves an injured worker’s right to bring a separate claim against a negligent third party. Your workers’ compensation claim can continue while a civil case proceeds against a general contractor, subcontractor, property owner, or another responsible party.
The question becomes who actually caused the dangerous condition.
A third-party insurance carrier may argue that you should have recognized the hazard, that your employer was responsible, or that another company bears the blame.
We investigate who controlled the relevant part of the worksite, who was responsible for safety, what the contracts required, and whether the responsible company knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
How We Build a Third-Party Construction Accident Claim
A construction injury claim can involve several companies and overlapping responsibilities. We approach the investigation with that complexity in mind.
- We separate the civil claim from your workers’ compensation case.
We evaluate the third-party claim without disrupting the workers’ compensation benefits you are pursuing.
- We identify every potentially responsible party.
That can include general contractors, subcontractors, equipment owners, rental companies, and property owners, depending on the facts.
- We investigate the worksite and the records behind it.
We examine OSHA citations, subcontracts, daily site logs, safety records, inspection documents, and other evidence that can show who controlled the conditions that caused your injury.
- We prepare the case for trial from the beginning.
Three of our partners are lifetime members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction based on securing a verdict or settlement of $2 million or more.
- We negotiate from a position of preparation.
When an insurer refuses to account for the full value of your medical treatment, lost income, and other damages, our experienced wrongful death lawyers and injury litigators are prepared to take the case to court.
Proven Construction Accident Case Results
Results depend on the specific facts and parties involved in each case. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in a future matter. Every construction accident claim is evaluated based on its own evidence.
| Resultado | Tipo de caso |
| $26,000,000 | Settlement for a day laborer severely injured while servicing a construction site elevator. The settlement was the #1 personal injury settlement in Los Angeles County in 2023. The case focused on establishing which company beyond the worker’s employer was responsible for the elevator’s condition. |
| $2,447,000 | Settlement for a construction worker seriously injured in a fall while hanging drywall on an Orange County job site. Site safety records and subcontractor agreements were central to establishing liability. |
| $2,000,000 | Settlement for a worker injured when a ladder failed while positioned on scaffolding at a commercial job site. The case established that a crew separate from the worker’s employer had assembled the scaffolding. |
| $526,000 | Settlement for a worker injured when an improperly secured metal trench plate shifted and gave way beneath him. The investigation traced responsibility to the subcontractor responsible for the trench cover. |
| $450,000 (2025) | Settlement for a worker injured when loose dirt collapsed above an unshored trench on an active construction site. The dangerous condition was created by a company other than the worker’s employer. |
Every construction accident case turns on its own evidence. The value of your claim can depend on the severity of your injuries, your lost income, the available records, and which companies can be held responsible for the conditions that caused the accident.
Where Orange County Construction Injury Claims Are Investigated and Filed
Two local resources can play an important role after a serious construction accident in Orange County.
Cal/OSHA’s Santa Ana District Office, located at 2 MacArthur Place, Suite 720, Santa Ana, CA 92707, investigates job-site conditions, issues citations, and creates records that may become relevant to a civil claim. We examine those citations and, when appropriate, request the underlying inspection records to determine what they establish about the accident and the parties involved.
Construction injury lawsuits filed in Orange County are handled through the Centro Central de Justicia, located at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana. The court handles unlimited civil matters, including serious construction injury lawsuits filed in the county.
El Condado de Orange continues to see major construction activity, including projects along the SR-55 and I-5 corridors through Irvine, Santa Ana, and Tustin. Large projects often involve multiple contractors and employers working on the same site, which can make responsibility difficult to determine when an accident occurs.
California Law Allows Certain Injured Workers to Sue Beyond Workers’ Comp
California Labor Code § 3852 allows an injured worker to pursue a separate claim against another person or company whose negligence caused the injury. Receiving workers’ compensation benefits does not automatically prevent that civil claim.
In practical terms, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance may provide medical and wage benefits while a separate lawsuit seeks damages from a third party that caused or contributed to the dangerous condition. Depending on the circumstances, that third party could be a general contractor, another subcontractor, a property owner, or another responsible entity.
The time limit for filing matters. Under California Código de Procedimiento Civil, artículo 335.1, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the accident.
You should not treat that two-year period as a reason to wait.
Construction sites change quickly. Scaffolding is dismantled, trenches are filled, equipment is moved, and workers leave the project. Daily logs and other records can also become harder to locate as time passes. Early investigation can preserve evidence before those changes make it more difficult to establish who was responsible.
The Evidence That Can Determine Who Was Responsible
Construction accident cases often depend on evidence that is created and maintained before anyone files a lawsuit. Some of that evidence can become difficult to obtain if an investigation does not begin promptly.
Daily site logs, safety meeting records, inspection reports, and subcontractor agreements can show which company was responsible for a particular condition. Those records may also establish who knew about a hazard and what steps, if any, were taken to correct it.
Photos and video from the accident scene can document conditions that may no longer exist after construction resumes. Statements from coworkers and other witnesses can also become important, particularly when workers move to another project or memories become less precise.
We investigate the physical site when appropriate and may work with investigators or engineers to understand how the accident occurred. We also request maintenance and inspection records for equipment involved in the accident, including elevators, hoists, ladders, trench boxes, and other machinery or safety equipment.
The goal is to connect the evidence to the legal responsibility for the hazard, rather than relying on assumptions about which company should be blamed.
Answers Orange County Construction Workers Ask Us Most
Can I sue if I was hurt on a construction site and am already receiving workers’ comp?
Yes, a third-party claim may be available when someone other than your employer caused or contributed to the injury. California Labor Code § 3852 allows an injured worker to pursue a negligent third party while the workers’ compensation claim continues.
Who besides my employer can be held responsible for a construction accident?
Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend to a general contractor, another subcontractor, property owner, equipment company, manufacturer, or rental company. The evidence must establish that the party’s conduct or responsibility contributed to the injury.
Will Cal/OSHA investigate my construction accident?
Cal/OSHA may investigate serious construction accidents and unsafe job-site conditions. Its inspection records and citations can become important evidence when determining whether another company violated safety requirements or contributed to the accident.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
California generally follows a comparative fault system. Sharing responsibility for an accident does not automatically prevent you from recovering damages, but your recovery can be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
Will filing a third-party lawsuit affect my workers’ comp benefits?
A third-party civil claim and a workers’ compensation claim are separate legal matters. Pursuing a civil claim against another responsible party does not automatically terminate your workers’ compensation benefits.
¿Cuánto vale mi caso de accidente de construcción?
There is no reliable value without reviewing the facts and evidence. The severity of your injuries, lost income, medical needs, evidence of liability, and number of responsible parties can all affect the potential value of a claim. Our past results, including a $26 million construction-related settlement, demonstrate what a claim can be worth when the evidence supports substantial damages, but past results do not predict a future outcome.
Do I need to hire a lawyer right after a construction accident?
You should consider getting legal advice as soon as reasonably possible. Construction sites change quickly, and important evidence can disappear before you realize it matters. An early investigation can help identify the companies involved and preserve evidence relevant to your claim.
What does it cost to hire Easton & Easton for a construction accident case?
We handle construction accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. You do not pay attorney fees upfront, and our fee comes from the recovery if we successfully resolve your case.
If your question is not addressed here, Contacto and tell us what happened on your job site.
Find Out What Your Orange County Construction Injury Claim May Be Worth
Receiving workers’ compensation does not necessarily end your legal options after a construction accident.
If another contractor, subcontractor, property owner, equipment company, or other third party contributed to the dangerous condition, you may have a separate civil claim for losses that workers’ compensation does not fully cover.
Comuníquese con Easton & Easton. to schedule a confidential consultation about your Orange County construction accident. We can review the circumstances of the accident, identify whether a third-party claim may exist, and explain the potential legal options before you decide how to proceed.
Orange County, CA Related Construction Accident Resources
- What is a High-Value Injury Claim in Orange County?
- Qué hacer tras sufrir una lesión grave en el condado de Orange
Orange County, CA Construction Accident Legal Resources
- Cal/OSHA Santa Ana District Office – Division of Occupational Safety and Health
- Tribunal Superior del Condado Orange – División Civil del Centro de Justicia Central
- California Labor Code § 3852 – Third Party Claims Provision
About Orange County, CA
Home to world-renowned cultural landmarks like South Coast Plaza and vibrant economic hubs, Orange County is a thriving region to live and work. However, rapid commercial development across the county has accompanied a persistent risk of construction accidents, with Cal/OSHA investigating dozens of serious job-site incidents annually in Southern California. Local authorities and regulatory agencies continue enforcing stringent workplace safety protocols to protect workers. Through continuous safety oversight and community resilience, Orange County remains dedicated to ensuring safer job sites for every trade worker.
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Easton & Easton ha sido reconocida por TopVerdict.com: Los 10 mejores acuerdos por accidentes de tráfico en Los Ángeles en 2025, por el caso «Ciclista contra conductor distraído»: es la quinta vez que el bufete aparece en una lista de TopVerdict en nueve años, un reconocimiento que llega en el año en que el bufete celebra su 35.º aniversario.
Easton & Easton cuenta con una calificación A+ otorgada por la Better Business Bureau — la calificación más alta posible. La confianza se gana. Nosotros nos la hemos ganado.
Easton & Easton tiene el honor de haber sido elegido de nuevo cada año desde 2014 por U.S. News & World Report y Best Lawyers como uno de los "Mejores bufetes de abogados" para el área metropolitana del sur de California.
Easton & Easton fue elegida como #1 en 2025 (Premio del Público). Este reconocimiento es lo más importante para nosotros, ya que proviene de la comunidad a la que servimos.
Doug, Brian y Matt Easton fueron seleccionados para el Los 100 mejores abogados litigantes del país — una organización a la que solo se puede ingresar por invitación y que reconoce a los mejores abogados litigantes del país. La selección se basa en los resultados de los casos, el liderazgo y la reputación. Cuando necesitas abogados preparados para la sala de audiencias, quieres un equipo que ya haya demostrado que ese es su lugar.
Los cinco socios de Easton & Easton —Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis y Gabe— fueron seleccionados para Best Lawyers in America® 2025. Esta es la publicación con revisión por pares más antigua y respetada en el ámbito jurídico. La selección se basa íntegramente en la revisión por pares, lo que representa la opinión consensuada entre los abogados más destacados de la comunidad. Cuando se les pregunta a otros abogados en quién confían, nos mencionan a nosotros.
Nuestro acuerdo de $4.5M en el caso «Operador de camión de carga contra Empresa de alquiler de equipos» ha sido reconocido como #1 en California para el año 2025 en dos categorías: • Acuerdo por paraplejia #1 en California — 2025 • Acuerdo #1 por accidente de vuelco en California — 2025
Nuestro acuerdo de $4.5M en el caso «Operador de camión de carga contra Empresa de alquiler de equipos» ha sido reconocido como #1 en California para el año 2025 en dos categorías: • Acuerdo por paraplejia #1 en California — 2025 • Acuerdo #1 por accidente de vuelco en California — 2025
Recientemente hemos sido galardonados por nuestros esfuerzos para conseguir un $32.000.000 liquidación para nuestro cliente, que fue seleccionado como #1 Acuerdo por accidente de bicicleta en California en 2024 por TopVerdict.es.
Easton & Easton fue nombrada una Bufete de nivel 1 en el sur de California según U.S. News & World Report — la máxima distinción que puede alcanzar un bufete de abogados. La selección se basa en los comentarios de los clientes, la reputación entre los colegas y la excelencia profesional. Cuando los evaluadores independientes clasifican a los mejores, nosotros estamos en la cima.
Gabe Mendoza, Alexandro Garza, John Oney, Billy Seidlitz y Aaron Sinfield fueron seleccionados para Super Lawyers Rising Stars — que reconoce a los mejores 2,51 TP4T de abogados de hasta 40 años en California. Tres abogados —John, Billy y Aaron— fueron seleccionados por primera vez en 2027. La próxima generación de Easton & Easton ya se encuentra entre las mejores del estado.
Easton & Easton fue elegido "Mejor bufete de abogados especializado en lesiones personales del condado de Orange" por los lectores del Los Angeles Times en 2018, 2019 y 2020. Tres años seguidos —elegido por las personas a las que servimos—
Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis y Saul fueron seleccionados para Súper abogados — una distinción que solo han obtenido 5% de los abogados de California. La selección se basa en nominaciones de colegas, investigaciones independientes y logros profesionales. Doug Easton ha sido seleccionado durante 19 años consecutivos. Matt Easton también fue incluido en la lista de los 50 mejores «Super Lawyers» del condado Orange para el año 2027. Cuando contratas a Easton & Easton, estás contratando a abogados que se encuentran entre los 5% mejores.
Easton & Easton ha sido galardonada recientemente por conseguir un $26.000.000 liquidación para nuestro cliente, que fue seleccionado como Los 10 mejores acuerdos por lesiones personales en California en 2023 por TopVerdict.es.
Easton & Easton recibió el "A la gente le encantamos en Yelp" premio en 2016 gracias a las excelentes reseñas de satisfacción de nuestros clientes. Nuestros clientes no solo nos contratan, sino que también nos recomiendan.
Easton & Easton ha sido galardonada recientemente por conseguir un $32.000.000 liquidación para nuestro cliente, que fue seleccionado como uno de los Las 20 mejores indemnizaciones por daños personales de Estados Unidos en 2024 por TopVerdict.es.
Brian, Matt y Travis Easton son miembros vitalicios de la Foro de abogados multimillonarios — una distinción que ostentan menos del 1% de los abogados de EE. UU. Para formar parte de este grupo, es necesario obtener un veredicto o un acuerdo por un monto de $2 millones o más. Cuando contratas a Easton & Easton, estás contratando resultados comprobados, porque los resultados importan.
Doug Easton ha ocupado el cargo de "Calificación "AV Preeminent» desde hace más de 30 años, y Matt Easton recibió esta prestigiosa distinción en 2015. La calificación «AV Preeminent» es la más alta que se puede obtener tanto en cuanto a capacidad jurídica como a estándares éticos, y se basa en el sistema de calificación por pares más antiguo de la profesión legal, que se remonta a 1887. Cuando tus colegas han confiado en tu capacidad e integridad durante más de tres décadas, eso lo dice todo.
Recientemente hemos sido galardonados por $26.000.000 liquidación para nuestro cliente, que fue seleccionado como #1 Acuerdo por lesiones personales en el condado de Los Ángeles en 2023 por TopVerdict.es.
Brian Easton fue seleccionado para el Junta Estadounidense de Abogados Litigantes (ABOTA) en 2015. ABOTA es una de las asociaciones más prestigiosas de abogados litigantes y jueces, y exige una trayectoria comprobada en juicios con jurado como abogado principal, así como la aprobación por mayoría de votos de la junta directiva de ABOTA. La membresía no se otorga, sino que se gana en la sala de audiencias.
Travis Easton, Gabe Mendoza y Brenda Kocaj fueron seleccionados para el National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 — un reconocimiento, al que solo se puede acceder por invitación, que distingue a los mejores abogados litigantes jóvenes del país. En Easton & Easton, la experiencia y la ambición van de la mano.
Easton & Easton fue galardonada por conseguir un $20.000.000 de liquidación para nuestro cliente, que fue seleccionado como uno de los Las 10 mejores indemnizaciones por daños personales de Estados Unidos en 2019 por TopVerdict.es.
Tanto Doug como Matt Easton han sido seleccionados como Los mejores abogados especializados en lesiones personales según Avvo con calificaciones de 10 sobre 10 — basadas en habilidades, experiencia, resultados, evaluaciones de colegas y reseñas de clientes. Una calificación perfecta. No hay nada mejor.
Easton & Easton tuvo el honor de ser elegido por el LA Times Reader's Choice Poll como "El mejor bufete de abogados de lesiones personales en el condado de Orange" para 2018-2020 (cada año de votación).
Recientemente fuimos galardonados por nuestros esfuerzos en la obtención de un veredicto de $1,850,000 para un cliente, que fue seleccionado como uno de los Los 50 mejores veredictos por lesiones personales en California en 2016 por TopVerdict.es.
Más de 20 premios y reconocimientos de prestigio. Sometidos al escrutinio más riguroso. Ganadores de los más altos honores. Reconocidos por todas las principales organizaciones legales, año tras año.
Los premios/reconocimientos mencionados proceden de organizaciones reconocidas por la profesión jurídica como fidedignas.
Para la selección no se requirió ninguna compra. Metodologías de selección disponibles previa solicitud.
*Los resultados anteriores no garantizan un resultado similar.
“Buscamos la historia humana detrás de cada lesión o muerte injusta. Preparamos nuestros casos para un juicio; dirigiéndonos al jurado con la evidencia más convincente posible para obtener el mejor veredicto posible. Las compañías de seguro lo saben y se preparan para negociar de buena fe. Llámenos para ver cómo podemos convertir su historia en una compensación justa”.
Socio W. Douglas Easton
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