Construction sites are among the most dangerous environments in California. When a negligent third party — a general contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner — causes your injuries, you have the right to file a personal injury claim beyond workers' compensation. Attorney Anand Desai fights to hold those responsible parties accountable.
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Construction accidents produce some of the most catastrophic injuries in personal injury law — traumatic brain injuries from falling objects, spinal cord damage from scaffolding collapses, crushed limbs from heavy equipment, and severe burns from electrical contact. When these injuries are caused by the negligence of a third party on the job site, the injured person has the right to pursue a personal injury claim against that negligent party, separate from and in addition to any workers' compensation benefits.
It is important to understand what our firm handles: we represent construction accident victims in third-party negligence claims. This means we sue the negligent parties who caused the accident — such as a general contractor who failed to maintain safe conditions, a subcontractor whose carelessness created a hazard, an equipment manufacturer whose defective product malfunctioned, or a property owner who knew about dangerous conditions and did nothing. We do not handle workers' compensation claims.
• Deep Local Knowledge — Los Angeles and Glendale are in the midst of a massive construction boom. From the high-rise developments in downtown LA to the residential and commercial projects along Brand Boulevard and San Fernando Road in Glendale, construction sites are everywhere. We understand the local construction landscape, the contractors operating in this market, and the safety violations that recur on Southern California job sites.
• Multilingual Support — Construction workers in Los Angeles come from every corner of the world. Our firm communicates in 11 languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Thai, Tagalog, Russian, Armenian, Farsi, and Korean. We ensure that every injured worker and their family can communicate with us clearly and comfortably, without language barriers affecting the quality of legal representation.
• 24/7 Availability — Construction accidents are emergencies. Call us from the hospital, from the job site, or the moment you are able. We respond immediately and begin investigating the accident while evidence is still fresh — before the general contractor has a chance to alter the scene or destroy records.
• No Win, No Fee — Every construction accident case is handled on a 100% contingency basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We advance all investigation costs, expert fees, and litigation expenses.
Call us or fill out the form. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and answer all your questions — at no cost.
We gather evidence, work with experts, handle the insurance companies, and build your claim for maximum compensation.
We don’t get paid unless you win. 100% contingency fee — no upfront costs, no hidden charges, no risk to you.
When a construction worker is injured on the job, workers' compensation provides a baseline of benefits — medical treatment and a portion of lost wages. However, workers' compensation is a limited remedy. It does not compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, or the full measure of lost earning capacity. It also does not punish the party responsible for creating the dangerous condition.
This is where third-party negligence claims come in. When someone other than your direct employer causes or contributes to your construction accident, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against that third party. This claim is completely separate from workers' compensation and allows you to recover the full range of damages available under California law — including pain and suffering, which is the largest category of damages in most serious injury cases.
Common third parties in construction accident cases include general contractors who failed to maintain safe site conditions, subcontractors whose negligence created hazards for workers from other trades, equipment manufacturers who produced defective tools or machinery, property owners who knew about dangerous conditions and failed to warn or correct them, architects and engineers whose defective plans contributed to structural failures, and equipment rental companies that provided poorly maintained machinery.
Our firm focuses exclusively on these third-party negligence claims. We do not handle workers' compensation cases. Instead, we work alongside your workers' compensation attorney (if you have one) to ensure you recover the maximum total compensation available from all sources. A successful third-party claim can result in recovery that is many times larger than workers' compensation benefits alone.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes safety standards for construction sites throughout the United States. When a third party on a construction site violates OSHA regulations and that violation causes injury, the violation serves as powerful evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.
OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926) cover virtually every hazard on a job site: fall protection requirements for work at heights above six feet, scaffolding construction and inspection standards, excavation and trenching safety protocols, electrical safety requirements, crane operation and inspection standards, personal protective equipment mandates, and hazard communication rules for toxic substances.
When we investigate a construction accident, one of our first steps is to determine whether any OSHA standards were violated. We obtain OSHA inspection reports and citation history for the job site and for the contractors involved. OSHA violations are particularly valuable in third-party claims because they establish an objective standard of care that the defendant failed to meet. A general contractor cited for failing to provide fall protection, for example, has a very difficult time arguing that they exercised reasonable care.
California also has its own occupational safety agency — Cal/OSHA (Division of Occupational Safety and Health) — which enforces standards under California Labor Code Section 6300 et seq. Cal/OSHA standards are often more stringent than federal OSHA standards. When a third party violates Cal/OSHA regulations and causes a construction worker's injury, the violation can constitute negligence per se under California Evidence Code Section 669, creating a presumption that the defendant was negligent.
Falls are the leading cause of death and serious injury in the construction industry, and scaffolding and ladder accidents account for a significant percentage of those falls. OSHA estimates that scaffolding-related accidents cause dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries annually in the United States.
Scaffolding accidents on California construction sites typically result from improper assembly, inadequate inspection, overloading, failure to install guardrails or toe boards, use of damaged components, or failure to provide proper access (such as ladder access points). When a subcontractor erects scaffolding improperly and a worker from a different trade falls and is injured, the subcontractor who built the scaffolding — not the injured worker's employer — is the liable third party.
Ladder accidents are equally common and equally preventable. Defective ladders, improperly secured ladders, ladders placed on unstable surfaces, and the use of the wrong type of ladder for the task are all recurring causes of construction falls. When a defective ladder causes a fall, the manufacturer or supplier of the ladder may be liable as a third party.
In Los Angeles and Glendale, where construction projects range from single-story residential renovations to multi-story commercial buildings, fall accidents occur with alarming regularity. Our firm investigates every scaffolding and ladder fall to identify the responsible third party — whether it is the subcontractor who built the scaffolding, the general contractor who failed to inspect it, the equipment supplier who provided defective components, or the property owner who imposed unreasonable schedule pressures that led to shortcuts in safety.
Construction sites rely on an enormous range of equipment — cranes, forklifts, concrete pumps, power tools, nail guns, saws, welding equipment, generators, compressors, and hundreds of other tools and machines. When a piece of equipment malfunctions due to a design defect, manufacturing defect, or inadequate safety warnings, the manufacturer can be held strictly liable under California law for injuries caused by the defective product.
California's strict product liability doctrine, established in cases like Greenman v. Yuba Power Products (1963), holds manufacturers liable for injuries caused by defective products regardless of whether the manufacturer was negligent. The injured worker does not need to prove that the manufacturer knew about the defect or failed to exercise reasonable care — only that the product was defective and that the defect caused the injury.
Defective equipment claims are a powerful tool in construction accident cases because they provide a separate basis for recovery from a deep-pocketed defendant (the manufacturer) and they do not require proof of negligence. Common equipment defects in construction include hydraulic system failures in cranes and lifts, electrical malfunctions in power tools, structural failures in scaffolding components, brake failures in construction vehicles, and missing or inadequate safety guards on cutting and grinding equipment.
Our firm works with mechanical and electrical engineers to inspect the equipment involved in every construction accident. We preserve the defective equipment as evidence, retain experts to examine it for design and manufacturing defects, and pursue product liability claims against the manufacturer, distributor, and any party in the chain of distribution.
Modern construction projects involve complex webs of general contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, and independent contractors. When an accident occurs, determining which entity bears responsibility requires careful investigation of the contractual relationships, the allocation of safety responsibilities, and the specific actions or omissions that caused the injury.
Under California law, a general contractor who retains control over safety conditions on a job site owes a duty of care to all workers on that site — not just its own employees. This principle, established in Privette v. Superior Court (1993) and refined in subsequent cases like Hooker v. Department of Transportation (2002), means that a general contractor who actively directed the manner of work, retained control over safety, or was aware of dangerous conditions can be held liable as a third party when a subcontractor's employee is injured.
Subcontractors can also be liable third parties when their negligence creates hazards for workers from other trades. For example, if an electrical subcontractor leaves exposed wiring that injures a plumber, the electrical subcontractor is a liable third party. If a demolition subcontractor fails to shore up an adjacent structure and it collapses onto workers from another trade, the demolition subcontractor bears third-party liability.
In the Los Angeles and Glendale construction market, where dozens of subcontractors may work simultaneously on a single project, these third-party relationships are the key to recovering full compensation for injured workers. Our firm traces every contractual relationship, reviews every safety plan, and identifies every entity whose negligence contributed to the accident.
The primary advantage of a third-party construction accident claim over workers' compensation is the availability of full compensatory damages. While workers' compensation provides only medical treatment and a portion of lost wages (typically two-thirds of the average weekly wage, subject to a cap), a third-party claim allows recovery of the complete range of damages under California law.
Economic damages in construction accident cases include the full amount of past and future medical expenses — not just what workers' compensation covers, but the complete cost of treatment including specialists, rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, home modifications, and long-term care. Full lost wages and lost earning capacity are recoverable without the weekly caps imposed by workers' compensation. For construction workers who suffer permanent disability that prevents them from returning to their trade, the lost earning capacity over a full career can amount to millions of dollars.
Non-economic damages — which are completely unavailable through workers' compensation — include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and mental anguish. For construction accident victims who suffer permanent disability, chronic pain, or disfiguring injuries, non-economic damages are often the largest component of the total recovery.
In cases involving egregious third-party conduct — such as a general contractor who knowingly ignored repeated safety violations, or a manufacturer who concealed known defects in construction equipment — punitive damages under California Civil Code Section 3294 may also be available. Our firm evaluates every construction accident case for the full range of available damages. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
A third-party construction accident claim is a personal injury lawsuit filed against someone other than your direct employer who caused or contributed to your injury on a construction site. Common third parties include general contractors, subcontractors from other trades, equipment manufacturers, property owners, architects, and equipment rental companies. This claim is separate from workers' compensation and allows you to recover full damages — including pain and suffering, which workers' compensation does not cover. You can pursue a third-party claim at the same time you receive workers' compensation benefits. Our firm focuses exclusively on these third-party negligence claims, not workers' compensation.
Yes, if the general contractor retained control over safety conditions on the job site and their negligence contributed to your injury. Under California law, a general contractor who exercises control over the manner of work or safety practices owes a duty of care to all workers on the site — including employees of subcontractors. If the general contractor failed to maintain safe conditions, failed to enforce safety protocols, knew about hazards and did nothing, or actively directed unsafe work practices, they can be held liable as a third party. Our firm investigates the general contractor's role in every construction accident to determine whether they bear legal responsibility.
OSHA violations serve as powerful evidence of negligence in a third-party construction accident claim. When a third party — such as a general contractor or subcontractor — violates OSHA safety standards and that violation causes your injury, the violation establishes an objective standard of care that the defendant failed to meet. Under California Evidence Code Section 669, a statutory violation can create a presumption of negligence (negligence per se). Cal/OSHA violations carry the same evidentiary weight. Our firm obtains OSHA and Cal/OSHA inspection reports, citation histories, and violation records for every construction accident we investigate.
Absolutely. A third-party negligence claim is completely separate from workers' compensation. You can receive workers' compensation benefits from your employer's insurance while simultaneously pursuing a third-party lawsuit against the negligent party who caused your injury. In fact, this is one of the main advantages of third-party claims — they allow you to recover full damages (including pain and suffering) on top of your workers' compensation benefits. Note that your workers' compensation carrier may assert a lien against your third-party recovery to recoup benefits it has already paid. Our firm handles lien negotiations to maximize your net recovery.
When defective equipment causes a construction accident, the manufacturer of that equipment can be held strictly liable under California product liability law. You do not need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent — only that the product was defective (due to a design defect, manufacturing defect, or inadequate warnings) and that the defect caused your injury. Equipment distributors, rental companies, and any entity in the chain of distribution may also be liable. Our firm works with mechanical and electrical engineers to inspect the equipment, identify the defect, and build a product liability case against the responsible manufacturer.
Yes, if the property owner knew about a dangerous condition on the property and failed to warn or correct it, or if the property owner exercised control over the construction work in a way that contributed to your injury. Property owners have a duty under California Civil Code Section 1714 to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. If the owner knew about unstable soil, concealed underground utilities, structural defects, or other hazards and failed to disclose them to the contractors working on the site, the owner can be held liable as a third party. Our firm investigates property owner liability in every construction accident case.
A third-party claim allows you to recover the full range of damages under California law, including damages that are not available through workers' compensation. This includes complete past and future medical expenses (without the workers' comp fee schedule limitations), full lost wages and lost earning capacity (without the two-thirds cap), pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available under Civil Code Section 3294. California does not cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in California is two years from the date of the accident, under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. If you are pursuing a product liability claim against an equipment manufacturer, the same two-year limitation applies. If a government entity is involved — for example, if the accident occurred on a public works project — you must file a government tort claim within six months under the Government Claims Act (Government Code §910). These deadlines are strict, and missing them can permanently bar your claim. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
We handle third-party negligence claims arising from all types of construction accidents, including scaffolding and ladder falls, crane and heavy equipment malfunctions, falling object injuries, electrocution and electrical burns, trench and excavation collapses, defective tool and equipment injuries, construction vehicle accidents, toxic substance exposure, structural collapses, and injuries caused by subcontractor negligence. We represent injured workers on residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects throughout Glendale, Los Angeles, and all of Southern California. We focus on the third-party negligence claim — holding the responsible parties accountable beyond workers' compensation.
Often, yes. Workers' compensation claims and third-party personal injury claims involve different areas of law, different procedures, and different forums. Workers' compensation claims are handled through the California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, while third-party claims are filed in civil court. Our firm handles the third-party negligence claim — the personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party who caused your accident. If you need a workers' compensation attorney, we can provide referrals to trusted practitioners. We coordinate closely with your workers' comp attorney to ensure both claims proceed efficiently and your total recovery is maximized.
Anand Desai is a dedicated personal injury attorney serving Glendale and the greater Los Angeles area. A graduate of Loyola Law School with an undergraduate degree from USC, Anand has been a member of the California State Bar (#249768) since 2007, bringing 20+ years of legal experience to every case he handles.
Anand specializes in personal injury law, with particular expertise in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and catastrophic injury cases. His deep understanding of California personal injury law, combined with his tenacious negotiation skills, has helped him secure millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients.
What truly sets Anand apart is his commitment to his community. His firm is one of the only law offices in Glendale that offers services in 11 languages, including Spanish, Armenian, Hindi, Gujarati, Korean, Tagalog, Farsi, Mandarin, Japanese, Vietnamese, and English — reflecting the rich diversity of the communities he serves.
“I fight for every client like they’re family. When you hire me, you’re not just getting a lawyer — you’re getting someone who genuinely cares about your recovery and your future.”
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