Falls remain one of the most dangerous hazards on Los Angeles construction sites, often causing catastrophic injuries and lost livelihoods. Artemis Law Group represents workers injured in scaffolding, ladder, and rooftop falls across LA. We are licensed to handle construction site fall injury claims throughout California with strategic, aggressive advocacy.
Fall Injuries on Construction Sites
Los Angeles
What are Fall Injuries on Construction Sites?
Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls account for 20.7% of all workplace fatalities in the United States, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 300 construction workers die and tens of thousands are seriously injured from falls each year.
Fall injuries on construction sites occur when workers fall from heights such as scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or unfinished structures, or slip at ground level due to unsafe conditions. These often result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, fractures, or permanent disability. In Los Angeles, strict workplace safety laws require property owners, contractors, and employers to maintain safe job sites. When they fail to comply with California and local safety regulations, injured workers may have the right to pursue compensation beyond workers’ compensation through a construction site injury claim.
Common Reasons for Fall Injuries on Construction Sites in Los Angeles:
- Lack of proper fall protection systems
- Defective or improperly assembled scaffolding
- Unsafe or unstable ladders
- Missing guardrails on elevated work areas
- Poorly maintained walkways and surfaces
- Inadequate safety training or supervision
- Failure to follow OSHA safety standards
- Unmarked floor openings or roof edges
- Slippery surfaces from debris, water, or oil
- Improper use of personal protective equipment
- Crane-related hazards, including falls from crane platforms or loads
Types of Fall Injuries on Construction Sites
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or elevated platforms result in serious head trauma, even when a worker is wearing protective gear. Traumatic brain injuries range from concussions to severe, permanent brain damage affecting memory, cognition, and motor function.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
A fall from height can compress, twist, or fracture the spine, leading to herniated discs, nerve damage, or paralysis. Spinal injuries are among the most life-altering construction site injuries, often causing pain, limited mobility, and permanent disability that affects work.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Falls commonly cause fractures to the arms, wrists, legs, ankles, hips, and ribs as workers attempt to brace for impact. While some fractures heal with time, others require surgery, therapy, and extended time away from work, resulting in significant financial strain.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage
High-impact falls can cause internal bleeding or damage to vital organs such as the lungs, liver, or kidneys. These may not be immediately visible but can be life-threatening without treatment, often leading to emergency surgeries and prolonged hospitalization.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprains, strains, torn ligaments, and muscle damage are common in fall accidents, particularly when a worker slips or falls from a lower height. Though sometimes dismissed as minor, soft tissue injuries can cause lasting pain, reduced strength, and limited range of motion.
Fatal Fall Injuries
Some construction site falls result in wrongful death, leaving families emotionally devastated and with financial uncertainty. Fatal falls often occur due to missing fall protection, unsafe scaffolding, or unguarded edges, and may result from safety violations.
How Artemis Law Group Can Help
At Artemis Law Group, we start by listening. We review the facts of your fall, secure job site evidence, examine safety records, and identify all responsible parties, including contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and third parties. Our team works with medical professionals and construction experts to document injuries, assess long-term impact, and build a clear claim.
We then pursue every available path to compensation. That may include workers’ compensation benefits, third-party liability claims, or litigation involving negligence or safety violations. From negotiation to trial, we handle all deadlines, filings, and insurer pressure so you can focus on recovery. Throughout the process, you’ll have direct access to experienced attorneys, clear updates, and a strategy tailored to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
Liability for Fall Injuries on Construction Sites
Determining liability after a construction site fall requires a detailed investigation into how the accident happened, which safety rules applied, and who failed to follow them. At Artemis Law Group, we carefully analyze job sites, contracts, safety plans, inspection records, and applicable California regulations. We also review OSHA standards, interview witnesses, and consult construction and safety experts to uncover negligence, safety violations, or defective conditions. Liability in construction accidents is rarely limited to a single party.
Depending on the facts, liability for fall injuries on construction sites may rest with:
- General contractors responsible for overall site safety
- Subcontractors controlling specific work areas
- Property owners who failed to maintain safe premises
- Developers overseeing construction projects
- Equipment or scaffold manufacturers for defective products
- Safety consultants or site managers with oversight duties
- Third-party vendors creating hazardous conditions
Compensation Available to Victims of Fall Injuries on Construction Sites
Fall injuries on construction sites often leave workers facing serious medical needs, lost income, and long-term uncertainty about their ability to work. In LA, injured construction workers may be entitled to compensation through multiple avenues, depending on how the fall occurred and who was responsible. An experienced construction injury attorney in LA can evaluate your case to determine which claims apply and how to pursue the full compensation available.
Workers' Compensation
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides benefits to employees injured on the job, regardless of who caused the accident. In California, most construction workers are covered and can receive benefits even if the fall was due to their own mistake. However, workers’ comp does not cover all losses and does not allow pain and suffering damages. Through a workers’ comp, injured workers may recover compensation for:
- Medical treatment related to the fall injury
- Temporary or permanent disability benefits
- Partial replacement of lost wages
- Vocational rehabilitation or retraining
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Third-Party Liability Claims
Third-party liability claims apply when someone other than the employer contributed to the fall, such as a subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer. Unlike workers’ comp, these claims require proof of negligence but allow broader recovery. When a third party is responsible, a fall injury claim may include compensation for:
- Full lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Long-term medical care and rehabilitation
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
Schedule Your Consultation
Artemis Law Group is a Los Angeles law firm devoted exclusively to construction and real estate law. Our attorneys bring focused, hands-on experience to job-site injury and liability matters. We stay accessible, responsive, and directly involved at every stage of your case. If you or a loved one suffered fall injuries on a construction site in Los Angeles, schedule a free case review today to protect your rights and determine the next steps.
Contact Us for a Case Evaluation