Construction Accident Attorney in California
Nearly 30 Years Fighting for California Construction Injury Victims
Construction accidents rarely have one responsible party. A single incident can involve a general contractor, multiple subcontractors, a property owner, and an equipment manufacturer, all operating on the same site the same day. At Carpenter & Zuckerman, we build cases around that reality, identifying every party whose negligence contributed to the injury rather than stopping at the most obvious defendant.
Founded in 1995 by trial attorneys John C. Carpenter and Paul S. Zuckerman, our firm has spent nearly 30 years representing California injury victims. We’ve handled more than 20,000 cases across our offices in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, and we prepare every case as though it will go to trial. That approach can give our clients real leverage in negotiations and in the courtroom.
Contact us or call (888) 484-2033 to schedule a free consultation with our construction accident attorney in California. We’re available 24/7.
Common Construction Accident Types & Injuries
The construction industry recognizes four leading causes of worker fatalities, known as the “Fatal Four”:
- Falls from height
- Being struck by an object
- Electrocution
- Being caught in or between equipment
Together, these four account for the majority of construction deaths nationwide each year.
Serious injuries also arise from crane operations, scaffolding collapses, trench and excavation failures, and the coordination failures that come with multiple contractors working in close proximity. The resulting injuries are often catastrophic: traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, severe burns, and, in the worst cases, wrongful death.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a California Construction Accident
Under California’s Privette doctrine, a general contractor who hires a subcontractor typically delegates responsibility for job site safety to that subcontractor. But that protection isn’t absolute. If a general contractor retained control over how the work was performed and that control contributed to the injury, or if it knew about a hidden hazard and failed to warn the subcontractor, it can still be held liable even when the injured worker was employed by someone else on site.
Liability can extend well beyond the general contractor. Depending on who controlled the hazard and how the accident occurred, responsible parties may include subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and design or engineering firms. Identifying all of them is the first step toward pursuing full recovery.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims in California
California workers’ compensation covers employees for medical treatment, lost wages, and disability benefits, but it doesn’t compensate for pain and suffering. It also only applies to the injured worker’s employer. When a non-employer party, such as a general contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, shares responsibility for the accident, a separate third-party liability claim can open the door to the full range of damages.
A worker can pursue both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party civil claim at the same time. For people who aren’t employees on the site at all, including pedestrians, visitors, or motorists injured by construction site negligence, workers’ compensation isn’t in the picture. Their path is a standard personal injury claim against the parties responsible for the hazard.
A Few Of Our Big Wins
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$131M Car Accident -
$74.53M Birth Injury
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$45M Drunk Driver
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$31.7M Brain Injury
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$29.25M Brain Injury
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$21.65M Motorcycle Accident
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$17M Brain Injury
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$16.4M Medical Malpractice
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$14.6M Commercial Vehicle
Why California Construction Accident Victims Choose Carpenter & Zuckerman
Multi-party construction cases demand investigative depth that a small firm can’t always provide. With more than 40 attorneys and the resources to pursue every potentially liable party, our California construction accident lawyers don't stop once they have identified one responsible party. We look for all of them.
Our attorneys develop tailored strategies for cases with multiple defendants and overlapping liability theories. Insurance companies across California know we’re prepared to take cases to trial, and that reputation can support stronger settlement negotiations for our clients. Carpenter & Zuckerman was named Personal Injury Firm of the Year in California by the ACQ5 Global Awards in 2017, a recognition that reflects the work we do for clients.
Throughout your case, we keep you informed at every stage. You’re not a file number here. Our team takes the time to understand what happened and what you need going forward.
our locations Where We Can Help
Hear What Our Clients Are Saying
“This was my first time doing any of this and they helped me through step by step.”
Carpenter & Zuckerman team was very helpful and informative. Especially Edward Cherkezian and Disha Bhagwat. This was my first time doing any of this and they helped me through step by step. Would recommend!
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California Filing Deadlines for Construction Accident Claims
California generally requires personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits to be filed within two years of the injury or death under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Missing that window typically bars the claim entirely, so acting early matters.
When a government entity is involved, such as a public agency overseeing a public works project, the deadline is shorter. The Government Claims Act generally requires an administrative claim to be filed within six months of the incident before a lawsuit can proceed. If there’s any chance public property or a government contractor is involved in your case, don’t wait.
Talk to a Construction Accident Lawyer in California Today
Construction accident cases move fast. Evidence gets removed, witnesses move on, and deadlines don’t wait. The sooner we can review what happened, the better positioned we are to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Contact Carpenter & Zuckerman now at (888) 484-2033 for a free case review with a California construction accident attorney.
We know when to take cases to trial to secure maximum compensation for our clients.