Factory work and employment in the fishing industry likely rank at the top of most lists for jobs with inherently high risk for injuries. Several other jobs are often dangerous as well. Construction accidents, for instance, are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries in California and throughout the country.
Construction workers are often at risk for workplace injuries involving products or equipment. In many cases, a third party could be liable for injuries that a worker has suffered on the job. For instance, if a worker suffers injuries while using a piece of equipment without knowing that it was defective in its design, the product manufacturer may be deemed responsbile for damages.
There are three basic types of product liability:
- Insufficient warning labels: If there are known hazards in using a specific product, but the product lacks adequate labeling to warn of the hazards, the manufacturer may be liable for injuries that occur when using the product.
- Manufacturing defects: If a product is improperly assembled or damaged, it should never make it through the production line because defective products should not be sold to consumers.
- Defective designs: Equipment or products can also be defective by design, which places anyone else who uses such products at great risk for injury.
California construction workers are not responsible for making sure that construction equipment or products used on the job are properly designed, manufactured and labeled. That is the manufacturer’s responsibility. The employer is also obligated to provide proper training and equipment to help keep workers safe.
What if a third party is liable for your injuries?
Many California workers who have suffered on-the-job injuries due to third party liability have sought financial recovery for their losses by seeking restitution in a civil court. In such cases, a worker must provide evidence to the court or a jury to show that the defendant’s negligence was a direct cause of the injuries that occurred. This type of litigation can be complex and stressful, which is why it is helpful to seek legal support, ahead of time.