San Jose Construction Accident Wrongful Death Lawyers
Construction Accident Wrongful Death
If you lost a loved one at a construction site in Northern California, you are likely reeling from the emotional trauma. However, you are probably also aware that California imposes something called a statute of limitations on wrongful death actions. This means that you have two years from the date of the construction accident to make a claim against potential liable parties, including the general contractor, subcontractor, manager of defective machinery, architectural firm responsible for the site, and owner of the property.
A Northern California construction accident wrongful death action allows family members and dependents of the decedent (person who died) to collect money for a variety of purposes: compensation for loss and support of services, compensation for past and future wages lost, compensation for loss of love, consortium, companionship, counsel, and funeral and burial expenses.
Here are some examples of potentially actionable construction accident wrongful death cases.
1. Scaffolding Accident
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) statistics, approximately 10,000 scaffolding injuries occur every year, including 80 fatalities. If your husband fell off a scaffold while applying lacquer to a skyscraper, for instance, you may make a wrongful death claim against the owner of that skyscraper, the manufacturer or designer of the scaffold, and subcontractors or the general contractor.
2. Exposure to Toxic Particulates, Aerosols or Other Chemicals
Site workers may have to handle and manage potentially lethal compounds, including fuels, solvents, paints, mixtures, pesticides, dioxins, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. Exposure to these compounds can cause both acute and chronic damage that can lead to death.
3. Electrocution, explosion, and other "acute" dangers
Live wires, flammable chemicals, mobile hazards, heavy machines, and an ever changing landscape at the site creates conditions that can cause fatal accidents. For instance, a power cord may accidentally drop into a bucket of tar, igniting a fire that causes third degree burns to a worker and ultimately leads to the worker's death.
4. "Chronic" construction injuries that ultimately prove fatal.
Not all construction accident deaths can be traced to an acute and vivid event. As discussed above, chronic exposure to toxins and particulates can cause fatal damage to internal organs or brain damage. Miners, for instance, often inhale massive amounts of particulate dust, silica, hydrocarbons, and other toxins over the course of their careers and many ultimately die young from work-related afflictions, such as emphysema and stroke.
Proving your Case
A Northern California construction accident attorney can help your family build a sophisticated, thorough, and compelling case to get you compensated for your loss and damages. Obviously, no sum will ever make up for the loss that you suffered or the pain that you feel. But savvy legal action can provide you with the financial support and closure you need to pick up the pieces and take care of the vulnerable dependents who have survived the decedent.
For a confidential and respectful case evaluation, connect with the Northern California attorneys of Van Der Walde & Associates through their website www.vanderwalde.com, or through their toll free number, 877-862-6288.
