Construction accident victims may be able to claim several types of damages, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and compensation for long-term disabilities. In some cases, families may also recover damages after a fatal accident. The exact amount depends on the severity of the injuries, who was responsible, and how the accident affects the victim’s life.
Long Beach’s status as one of California’s busiest port cities means construction never really slows down. New commercial buildings, residential developments, infrastructure upgrades — it’s constant. That’s good for the local economy, but it also means that falls, equipment malfunctions, electrical hazards, and other job-site dangers are real and ongoing risks for the people doing the work.
If you’ve been injured on or near a job site, your legal options matter just as much as your medical treatment. Talking with a Long Beach construction accident lawyer early on can help you figure out what you’re actually owed.
Below, we break down the types of compensation available after a construction accident, what each category includes, and why solid documentation can make or break your claim.
The Two Main Categories of Damages
Nearly every construction accident claim falls under one of two umbrellas:
- Economic damages — the losses you can put a number on: medical bills, missed paychecks, rehab costs, and future medical care.
- Non-economic damages — the losses that don’t come with a receipt, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of things that used to make life enjoyable.
What you’re able to recover depends on the specifics: how the accident happened, how badly you were hurt, and whether you’re dealing with workers’ compensation, a third-party lawsuit, or both. California law gives injured workers more than one path to compensation, and the right one (or combination) depends on your circumstances.
Economic Damages
Medical Expenses
This is usually the biggest chunk of any claim. It can include emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, medical equipment, and ongoing care you’ll need down the road.
Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity
Missed a few weeks of work? You can typically claim that lost pay. But if your injury means you can’t go back to your old job or can’t earn what you used to, you may also be able to recover for that long-term hit to your earning potential.
Other Out-Of-Pocket Costs
These claims often cover smaller but very real expenses too, such as:
- Mileage or travel costs for medical appointments
- Modifications to your home or vehicle
- In-home care or assistance
- Other reasonable expenses tied directly to your injury
Under California Labor Code § 3600, most employees who are hurt on the job qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. But if a third party contributed to the accident, you may have grounds for a separate personal injury claim that covers losses workers’ comp doesn’t touch.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and Suffering
Some losses just don’t fit into a spreadsheet. If your case involves a third-party claim, you may be able to recover for the physical pain and everyday struggles your injury has caused.
Emotional and Personal Losses
Depending on your situation, this can also include:
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
- Disfigurement
California Civil Code § 1714 generally allows people who are injured through someone else’s negligence to pursue compensation for these harder-to-quantify losses.
Key Takeaways
- Damages fall into two categories: economic (medical bills, lost wages) and non-economic (pain and suffering, emotional distress).
- Medical expenses are usually the largest recoverable cost, covering everything from ER visits to future care.
- Lost income isn’t just about missed paychecks. If you can’t return to your old job, reduced earning capacity is also recoverable.
- Workers’ comp isn’t always the full picture. A third-party claim can recover damages workers’ comp doesn’t touch, like pain and suffering.
- Non-economic losses count too, including permanent disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Claim value hinges on evidence. The severity of your injuries and how well they’re documented directly affect what you can recover.
