Across Fresno, construction crews work highway and road projects, utility trenching and line replacements, new housing, commercial and industrial facilities, and upgrades at schools, hospitals, parks, and public works. Construction, with its mix of power tools, moving equipment and vehicles, heights, and physicality, poses high injury risk for workers, especially when safeguards lapse or equipment fails. In 2023, U.S. private construction recorded about 173,000 nonfatal injuries, roughly 2.3 cases per 100 workers.
An injury on a Fresno construction site can leave you with medical bills, lost work, and rehab. You need clear answers on how costs will be covered, how evidence of your injury will be preserved, and how your case will move forward.
If you or a loved one was hurt on a Fresno construction site, call Fresno Construction Site Accident Lawyer Tim Mazzela at (559) 297-1118 for a fast case evaluation and next steps.
Choosing the Right Lawyer
Choose a lawyer who handles Fresno construction cases on a regular basis and knows how workers’ comp can run alongside a third-party case. Early evidence work sets the table for higher value. Look for fast action on:
- Site inspection and preservation letters
- Subcontractor logs and daily reports
- Equipment data, maintenance records, and rental files
- Cal/OSHA records and any citations
Expect real resources, not promises. The right team brings focused experts and clear communication from intake through resolution:
- Experts: construction safety, engineering, human factors, economics
- Results in construction cases with readiness for trial when needed
- Reachable counsel with plain updates on timelines and next steps
- Contingency fee with no upfront costs, if that applies
- A simple plan you can act on after the first call
Tim Mazzela moves fast to secure the site and records, brings the right experts on, and keeps you informed at each step.
Protecting Your Case After the Accident
Job sites can change quickly after an injury. Crews clean, equipment gets pulled for repair, and camera systems overwrite footage. Quick action protects proof and keeps your case on track.
- Get medical care and document every visit: records timestamp injuries and connect them to the event.
- Report the event in writing; keep a copy: a dated report ties the incident to the job and reduces disputes about notice.
- Photograph the scene, equipment, and injuries; save names for witnesses: photos show conditions before cleanup or repair, and witnesses anchor what happened.
- Decline recorded statements and blanket medical releases from insurers: early statements and broad releases can be used to limit recovery.
- Call for a case review before evidence disappears: helps us get notices out to save photos, logs, video, and equipment records so they aren’t lost.
Tim Mazzela can help with each step, including preservation letters, insurer contact, and record gathering, so you do not have to handle this alone.
Workers’ Comp vs. Lawsuits
Workers’ comp is your employer’s insurance for work injuries. It pays medical bills and part of lost wages regardless of fault. Lawsuits against the employer are generally off the table in that system.
A third-party case is different. You may sue another company on the site when its conduct caused the hazard. Some examples of when this might apply:
- A subcontractor sets a ladder on unstable ground and you fall;
- a staffing-agency driver hits you with a forklift in a loading area;
- a rental company skips required service and an aerial lift fails.
All point to a case against the subcontractor, staffing company, or rental company. Workers’ comp can still pay benefits at the same time.
Unlike many other states that bar you from getting compensation if you are more than 50% at fault, California uses a pure comparative fault system where your share of fault reduces what you can collect, even if you are 99% at fault (you’d still be eligible to collect 1%). Example: if damages are $100,000 and you are 20% at fault, you would collect $80,000.
Can I Sue My Own Employer?
Generally no. Limited exceptions allow a lawsuit against the employer:
- No workers’ comp insurance in place
- An owner, supervisor, or manager commits or approves a physical assault
- A “power press” causes injury because a required guard was removed or never installed
- The employer hides that work caused the injury and the delay makes the harm worse
Tim Mazzela will help sort out whether workers’ comp, a third-party case, or both fit your situation.
Who May Be Responsible on a Fresno Site
Multiple companies may share fault for a job site injury. Clear records can point to who caused the hazard.
- General contractor or controlling employer: sets schedule and safety coordination; fault may follow when they ignore hazards or push unsafe sequencing.
- Subcontractors and staffing companies: answer for their crews’ setups, training, and supervision, including ladder footing, rigging, and vehicle operation.
- Property owner or developer: at fault when a property defect or a known hazard remains on the premises.
- Equipment or tool manufacturers: at fault for defective design, missing or unclear warnings, or faulty components that cause failure.
- Rental or maintenance companies: at fault when skipped service or poor repair puts unsafe equipment back in use.
- Engineers or architects: at fault when plans or site directions create unsafe methods or clearances.
- Utilities or public entities: at fault for trench, roadway, or work-zone setups that expose crews to traffic, energized lines, or unstable ground.
Tim Mazzela determines responsibility by reviewing contracts, daily logs, maintenance and rental records, photos, and Cal/OSHA files. He sends preservation notices, contacts the right companies, and lines up experts so you do not have to manage this alone.
Evidence in Construction Accident Cases
Proof on a job site comes from records, photos, and data. The items below help show what happened and who controlled the risk.
- Injury reports, daily logs, subcontractor rosters: tie the event to a date, a location, and the crews on site.
- Safety plans, toolbox talks, training records: show the rules in place and who had notice of the hazard.
- Contracts, subcontracts, change orders, RFIs: define duties, control, and who made decisions.
- Equipment maintenance logs, telematics, rental records: document care, use, and failures tied to machines and lifts.
- Photos, video, 911 audio, site surveillance: freeze conditions and the sequence before cleanup or repair.
- Cal/OSHA files and any citations: provide standards, interviews, and findings; a request can pull the file.
- Medical records, wage records, job assignments: link the injury to the event and support lost income and treatment needs.
Tim Mazzela tracks these details down, sends preservation notices, and organizes the file so proof does not get lost.
Compensation and How Liens Affect Take-Home
Compensation covers your losses. Liens from insurers can reduce the amount you receive, so they need attention.
- Medical bills and future care: hospital visits, therapy, medications, and surgeries or devices you may need later.
- Lost wages and future earning capacity: missed shifts now and limits on earnings going forward.
- Pain and suffering: physical pain and how the injury changes daily life.
- Liens and reimbursement: workers’ comp, health insurance, Medicare or Medi-Cal may ask for payback from the settlement. These amounts can be negotiated.
Simple Example:
Settlement is $100,000. A medical lien claims $25,000. If reduced to $15,000, you keep $10,000 more.
Tim Mazzela identifies every lien, challenges amounts that do not match the records, and negotiates reductions so you keep more of the settlement.
Deadlines in California Construction Accident Cases
California sets firm filing windows. A missed deadline can end a case.
- Personal injury: two-year deadline starting on the day you were hurt.
- Wrongful death: two-year deadline starting on the date of death.
- Public entity involvement: road or utility work tied to a city, county, or state agency requires a government claim within six months; lawsuit timing follows the response or rejection.
Construction accident attorney Tim Mazzela tracks all filing dates and files government claims within the required windows so the case stays on track.
How Tim Mazzela, APC Builds Leverage on Construction Cases
Results come from early facts and timely pressure. Tim and his team secure proof, line up experts, and present a clear case for payment.
- Site inspection and preservation letters: secure the scene, equipment, logs, and video before changes erase proof.
- Cal/OSHA and public records requests: pull interviews, citations, permits, and plans to show what went wrong and who controlled the risk.
- Expert workups: construction safety, engineering, human factors, and economics explain failures and connect them to losses.
- Damages proof: medical records, bills, and wage documentation show the full impact in dollars.
- Demand, mediation, and trial posture: present fault and damages, test settlement, and keep a trial plan ready if talks stall.
Locked-down proof and clear analysis raise case value, cut disputes, and push insurers to resolve on strong terms.
Questions You May Have After a Construction Site Accident
Can I pursue both workers’ comp and a lawsuit?
Yes. Workers’ comp pays medical care and part of wages. A separate lawsuit may exist against another company on the site that caused the hazard. The lawsuit can seek items workers’ comp does not cover, including pain and suffering and full wage loss.
What if I share some fault?
California reduces compensation by your percentage of fault. Example: if damages are $100,000 and your share is 20%, the payout becomes $80,000.
What if a staffing agency supplied the worker who caused my injury?
Liability can reach the staffing agency and the company directing the work. Contracts, supervision, and training records help sort out who must pay.
Can I recover if I’m undocumented?
Yes. California allows injury cases regardless of immigration status. Wage-loss proof may require extra documentation, and a lawyer can help organize that.
How long do Fresno construction cases take?
Timing varies. Cases move faster after medical treatment is stable and key records are collected. Multi-company disputes, public entity issues, or heavy court calendars add time.
What happens if Cal/OSHA already investigated?
That file helps but does not decide the case. A lawyer can request the file, review interviews and citations, and still run an independent investigation.
What if my insurer asks for a recorded statement?
You do not have to speak on the record to another company’s insurer. Workers’ comp adjusters may request information, yet you should speak with a lawyer before any recorded statement.
Talk With a Fresno Construction Site Accident Lawyer
Start with a free consultation. You’ll speak with an attorney, get straight answers, and leave with a short plan.
What to have ready, if you have it:
- Photo ID, job-site report copy, and names for witnesses
- Photos or video from the scene
- Medical visit notes and receipts
- Recent pay stubs or proof of hours
Next steps move quickly. We send preservation notices, request records, and line up any needed experts. You get one point of contact, clear timelines, and regular updates on progress.
Call Fresno Construction Site Accident Lawyer Tim Mazzela at (559) 297-1118 or use our contact form. Fees run on contingency with no upfront costs. Let’s help you move your case forward so you can focus on recovery.
Choosing the Right Lawyer
- Handles construction site cases regularly in Fresno.
- Knows how workers’ comp and a third-party case can run together.
- Moves fast on evidence: site inspection, preservation letters, subcontractor logs, equipment data, Cal/OSHA records.
- Brings the right experts: construction safety, engineering, human factors, economics.
- Has results in construction cases and stands ready to try the case if needed.
- Stays reachable and clear on updates, timelines, and next steps.
- Works on contingency with no upfront costs (if true).
- Shares a simple plan after the first call.
- CTA with the phrase “Fresno construction accident lawyer, Tim Mazzela…”
Protecting Your Case After the Accident
- Get medical care and document every visit.
- Report the event in writing; keep a copy.
- Photograph the scene, equipment, and injuries; save names for witnesses.
- Decline recorded statements and blanket medical releases from insurers.
- Call for a case review before evidence disappears.
Do I Have a Case or Only Workers’ Comp?
- Briefly explain workers’ comp vs. third-party case in plain terms.
- Clarify when a lawsuit may exist against a subcontractor, property owner, or manufacturer.
- Note how partial fault works under California comparative negligence.
Quick Examples (be sure these are the best examples to cite)
- Ladder fall where a subcontractor set unsafe footing.
- Forklift strike by a temp worker from a staffing agency.
- Aerial lift failure tied to skipped maintenance.
Who May Be Responsible on a Fresno Site
- General contractor or controlling employer.
- Subcontractors and staffing companies.
- Property owner or developer.
- Equipment or tool manufacturers.
- Engineers or architects tied to design or supervision.
- Utilities or public entities tied to road work hazards.
Evidence in Construction Accident Cases
- Incident reports, daily logs, subcontractor rosters.
- Safety plans, toolbox talks, training records.
- Contracts, subcontracts, change orders, RFIs.
- Equipment maintenance logs, telematics, rental records.
- Photos, video, 911 audio, site surveillance.
- Cal/OSHA files and citations; how to request them.
- Medical records, wage records, job assignments.
Compensation and How Liens Affect Take-Home
- Medical bills and future care.
- Lost wages and future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Workers’ comp, health insurance, Medicare/Medi-Cal liens and reimbursement.
- Simple example showing how lien resolution impacts the final check.
Deadlines in California Construction Cases
- Personal injury and wrongful death filing windows.
- Government claim rules when a public entity is involved in road or utility work.
- Immediate evidence preservation to avoid spoliation fights.
How the Firm Builds Leverage on Construction Cases
- Site inspection and preservation letters.
- Cal/OSHA and public records pulls.
- Expert workups: construction safety, engineering, human factors, economics.
- Demand package, mediation strategy, trial posture when needed.
Fresno Details That Help
- Fresno County venues and practical expectations.
- Cal/OSHA regional office access and record timing.
- Local medical and rehab resources (neutral listing).
Questions People Ask
- Can I pursue both workers’ comp and a lawsuit?
- What if I share some fault?
- What if a staffing agency supplied the worker who hit me?
- Can I recover if I’m undocumented?
- How long do Fresno construction cases take?
- What happens if Cal/OSHA already investigated?
- Do I have to give a recorded statement to an insurer?
What Happens After You Call
- Free consult (if true).
- Simple intake checklist to bring.
- Clear next step after the call and how communication works.
Talk With a Fresno Construction Site Accident Lawyer
- Direct phone number and short form.
- Plain statement on contingency fees (if true).
- Invitation for families handling severe or fatal harm to reach out for guidance.
