Workers Compensation for Construction Workers

A 2023 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), study confirmed that across all types of workplace injuries, construction ranks as one of the most hazardous industries in the US, with a high rate of both non-fatal and fatal injuries and illnesses.

National Statistics on Construction Workplace Injuries

According to a 2023 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction and extraction occupations have the second highest rate of occupational deaths, behind only transportation and warehousing.  Per that report, the fatal injury rate for construction workers in 2021 was 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, up from 3.4 in 2020 and 3.5 pre-pandemic.

Falls, slips, and trips were the leading cause of fatal construction accidents in 2021, accounting for 348 deaths. Transportation incidents and contact with objects or equipment were also significant contributors according to the BLS report. And the true number of accidents and injuries may be higher due to employer underreporting.

California Statistics on Construction Workplace Injuries

In California, construction had the highest number of fatalities in 2021 with 79, down from 92 in the previous year. The fatal injury rate for construction workers in California in 2021 was 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, which is slightly lower than the national average. Sadly, Hispanic or Latino workers accounted for 51% of those who died from construction-related workplace injuries in California in 2021 – even though only 40.3% of the population in California identifies as Hispanic or Latino, according to the United States Census Bureau’s QuickFacts data.

This recent accident highlights the potential danger to construction workers – and the importance of workers compensation benefits for any individual working on a construction site.

Two Types of Construction Workers’ Compensation

In California, there are actually two separate and distinct types of workers compensation that covers. Some employers belong to a program called the Carpenters / Contractor’s Workers’ Compensation Trust for Southern California.  Other construction companies do not.

Identifying which type of workers’ compensation you are entitled to in a construction injury is very important.

1. Carved Out Workers Compensation for Construction Workers

The Carpenters / Contractor’s Workers’ Compensation Trust for Southern California is a special type of workers’ compensation that is set up under a collective bargaining agreement. Because workers’ injury claims covered by this program are separate from the California state workers’ comp system, this is called a “carve-out” program.

The goals of the Carpenters/Contractor’s Workers’ Compensation Trust is to streamline the process by taking injured carpenters and construction workers out of the cumbersome state workers comp system, and more easily providing injured employees with all benefits for which they qualify. In most cases this program is much quicker system than regular workers’ compensation – eliminating legal hurdles for both the employee and the employer.

If you were injured on the job and your employer participates in the Carpenters / Contractor’s Workers’ Compensation Trust, they will report your injury to their insurance company. From there you will be instructed to consult with an official “Ombudsman” to handle, process, prove & negotiate your case for you.

The Law Firm of Cantrell Green is an officially appointed SoCal Carpenters / Contractor’s Workers’ Compensation Trust Ombudsman in the Long Beach, Orange County and Los Angeles area.

We help workers injured in a construction accident quickly obtain the maximum benefits to which they are entitled. Our attorneys will find a doctor who has been pre-approved by the insurance company, and help an injured carpenter or contractor collect their benefits quickly, making the process as fast and easy as possible.

2. Non-Trust Carpenter, Contractor & Construction Workers’ Comp

Many employers opt NOT to obtain coverage through an insurance company that participates in the Carpenters / Contractor’s Workers’ Compensation Trust agreement.

In that case, an injured worker will be forced to go through the traditional California state workers’ comp system. In many instances, this can mean even more paperwork, hearings, denials and delays. Additionally, there are time limits for filing a workers’ compensation claim.

For these reasons it is wise to contact an experienced California workers’ compensation attorney immediately regarding your construction accident. Our workers comp attorneys have experience helping hundreds of injured employees in the carpentry and construction industry.

Experienced Long Beach Workers Comp Carve Out Attorneys for
Construction, Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers & Painters

Our experienced workers comp attorneys understand the challenges you face as an injured worker. Our attorneys and will fight aggressively to obtain the workers’ comp benefits to which you are entitled. If your construction accident caused an injury that prevents you from returning to your previous occupation, our attorneys will work untiringly to ensure that you and your family are taken care of financially.

If you have been injured at work, and your union & employer have collectively bargained for a “Carve Out” workers compensation program, call us today. We are one of the few Workers Compensation law firms in the Los Angeles area specialized in this unique type of Workers Comp case. Our attorneys are happy to answer your questions and help you understand the benefits for which you may qualify.

Construction Workers Compensation Attorneys: 562-622-4800

Our Long Beach Workers Compensation Attorneys have obtained millions of dollars in benefits for ill and injured workers across Southern California, Los Angeles & Orange County, including: Anaheim, Arcadia, Avalon, Bel Air, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Carson, Castaic, Century City, Cerritos, Chatsworth, City of Industry, Commerce, Compton, Costa Mesa, Culver City, Downey, East Los Angeles, El Monte, El Segundo, Encino, Gardena, Garden Grove, Glendale, Hawthorne, Hemet, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Huntington Beach, Inland Empire, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, La Puente, Laguna Hills, Lakewood, Lancaster, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, Lynwood, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Maywood, Melrose, Fairfax, Mission Hills, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Montrose, Newhall, North Hollywood, Northridge, Orange County, Palmdale, Palos Verdes, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Porter Ranch, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redondo Beach, Rosemead, San Diego, San Gabriel, San Marino, San Pedro, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, South El Monte, South Gate, Studio City, Sylmar, Temple City, Toluca Lake, Topanga, Torrance,  West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Westminster, Westwood, Whittier and more.