San Jose Industrial Accidents Attorneys

Work with Our Accomplished Lawyers

If you or someone you care about was seriously hurt or killed at work, you should call Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP as soon as possible. Industrial accident law is complex, and the statute of limitations may be quite short, depending on the circumstances.

Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP can protect your rights, help evaluate your case, and work to win you the best possible financial outcome. We have won millions of dollars for Northern California clients injured in industrial accidents and other types of accidents. And we always offer free consultations for potential clients, because we know injured people are often financially strained.

Federal and California Laws Protecting Workers

Despite federal and state laws designed to prevent accidents at work, industrial accidents are still disturbingly common. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were more than 5,190 deaths at work in 2016; the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health reports 376 occupational deaths in California that year.

Thousands more were seriously injured at work; the BLS reports 2.9 injuries for every full-time private worker in 2016. The majority, but by no means all, of industrial accidents occur in industries involving the use of heavy equipment or automobiles such as construction, agriculture and natural resources extraction, manufacturing, and transportation professions.

Common types of workplace accidents include:

• Falls
• Accidents with heavy machinery
• Electrocution
• Being hit by an object
• Automobile accidents
• Violent crimes

Regulations Set Forth for Your Safety

Both the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and similar state laws require employers to adhere to a strict set of safety standards, including requirements to provide safety equipment, follow safety procedures, and train employees in how to do their jobs without undue exposure to risk of death or serious injury.

Unfortunately, these safety laws aren't always followed. Some employers simply overlook safety; others actively put profits ahead of the well-being of their workers.

But regardless of the cause, when a worker is hurt on the job, his or her employer is legally liable for the accident and the serious injuries that result, which could include:

• Amputations
• Broken / crushed bones
• Brain damage
• Spinal damage
• Burns
• Asphyxiation

Not only are these injuries are catastrophic, life-changing, and painful, but they're also quite expensive - they often require years of medical care, physical therapy, and other ongoing care. If you've been hurt due to the negligence of your employer, you have the right to hold the employer responsible in court.

Helping Workers Who Have Been Injured on the Job

Many injured workers can and should collect workers' compensation payments, which can help them pay medical bills and maintain their families' income while they cannot work.

Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP does not handle workers' compensation law, but even if you are collecting workers' compensation, we may still be able to help you. Very often, a workplace accident may involve a third party or a subcontractor who is not your primary employer. You are legally allowed to sue such a party even while collecting workers' compensation.