Workplace injuries can happen in almost any job, from construction sites and warehouses to offices and delivery routes. A serious on-the-job injury can leave workers facing extensive medical treatment, lost income, and uncertainty about what comes next.
Most injured employees are eligible to pursue benefits through California’s workers’ compensation system. In some cases, however, someone other than the employer may have contributed to the injury. A negligent driver, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or contractor, for example, could create grounds for a separate personal injury claim, often referred to as a third-party claim, in addition to workers’ compensation benefits.
Coopers LLP represents individuals and families in serious workplace injury and wrongful death cases throughout California. Our attorneys handle claims involving dangerous conditions, defective equipment, and other forms of negligence, working to identify all potentially responsible parties and pursue the compensation available under the law.
What Do Workplace Injury Lawyers Do?
Workplace injury lawyers investigate how an on-the-job injury occurred and work to determine whether a party other than the employer, such as a contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or another company, may be legally responsible. Their role is generally to gather evidence, assess liability, communicate with insurance companies, and, when appropriate, pursue compensation on behalf of injured workers.
When to Hire a Workplace Injury Lawyer
While every situation is different, you may want to consider contacting a California workplace injury lawyer if:
- You suffered serious injuries that required emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, or ongoing treatment
- A dangerous condition, defective piece of equipment, or unsafe worksite contributed to the injury
- A company or party other than your employer may have contributed to the accident
- An insurance company requests a recorded statement or offers a settlement shortly after the incident
- A family member died as a result of injuries sustained on the job
- You are unsure who may be responsible for the conditions or equipment involved in the accident
California law places deadlines on personal injury claims, including those arising from workplace accidents. In many situations, injured individuals have two years from the date of the injury to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit, though exceptions may apply depending on the facts of the case. Certain claims involving government entities can have significantly shorter notice requirements.
Speaking with a workplace injury lawyer from Coopers LLP does not obligate you to pursue a claim. It simply provides an opportunity to learn about your legal options, understand applicable deadlines, and determine what steps may be appropriate based on your circumstances.
Common Types of Workplace Injury Cases Coopers LLP Handles
Coopers LLP often handles workplace injury claims involving:
- Construction Site Accidents: Injuries caused by falls from heights, falling debris, exposed electrical systems, unsecured openings, trench collapses, or other dangerous conditions on a job site, including harm caused by contractors or companies other than the worker’s direct employer.
- Defective Equipment and Machinery: Injuries involving malfunctioning tools, unguarded machinery, defective safety equipment, or industrial machines that may have been improperly designed, manufactured, or maintained.
- Vehicle and Transportation Incidents: Injuries suffered by workers involved in collisions while driving for work, including delivery drivers, rideshare drivers, and workers struck by vehicles on or near a job site.
- Falls, Structural Failures, and Hazardous Conditions: Injuries involving unsafe scaffolding, collapsing structures, falling objects, inadequate lighting, or other hazardous property conditions that may implicate a property owner or third party.
Determining liability in a workplace injury case often requires a detailed investigation into how the injury occurred, what equipment was involved, and which parties controlled the worksite or conditions.
Our Workplace Injury Claims Process and Contingency Fees
Every workplace injury case is different, but most third-party claims follow a similar process. Coopers LLP investigates the circumstances of the accident, identifies potentially responsible parties, and pursues compensation through insurance claims, settlement negotiations, or litigation when appropriate.
Our workplace injury claims process typically includes:
- Free Case Evaluation: We begin with a 100% free consultation to learn about the accident, injuries, and circumstances surrounding the incident.
- Investigation and Evidence Collection: Our team strives to gather available evidence, which may include photographs, equipment records, incident reports, witness statements, safety documentation, and other materials relevant to the claim.
- Medical and Damages Review: We often review medical records, treatment information, lost income documentation, and other evidence to understand how the injury has affected the client’s life.
- Insurance Claim and Negotiations: We may communicate with insurance companies, submit supporting evidence, and engage in settlement discussions when appropriate.
- Litigation if Necessary: If a fair resolution cannot be reached through negotiations, we may file a lawsuit and continue pursuing the claim through the court process.
Contact Coopers LLP for a Free Workplace Injury Consultation
A serious injury on the job in California can leave you with medical expenses, time away from work, and difficult questions about what comes next. If you were injured at work because of a dangerous condition, defective equipment, or another party’s negligence, you may have legal options worth exploring.
Coopers LLP represents individuals and families in serious injury and wrongful death workplace cases throughout California. Coopers LLP represents workplace injury victims in California on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is typically a percentage of the recovery. In some cases, clients may be responsible for prevailing-party costs as determined by law.
Contact Coopers LLP today for a free consultation. Our team can review your situation, answer your questions, and help you understand what options may be available.