California Industrial Accident & Wrongful Death Attorney

Protecting California Workers Since 1956, Across Every Industry That Puts Them at Risk

When a serious industrial accident upends your life or takes someone you love, the claims process doesn’t wait for you to recover. Employers and their insurers move quickly to limit their exposure, and the window to preserve evidence and file claims is narrow. Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld has represented injured California workers since 1956, and our eight offices spanning the Central Valley, the Central Coast, and Southern California put us within reach of the industries where these accidents happen most.

We handle industrial accident cases for workers in agriculture, oil, trucking, and manufacturing, and we pursue every available compensation path: workers’ compensation, personal injury, the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF), and Social Security Disability benefits. We work on contingency, so you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Free consultations are available by phone, online, or video conference.

Call our industrial accident lawyers at (805) 243-2179 or reach out here online today.

Common Injuries in California Industrial Accidents

Industrial accidents routinely produce catastrophic harm. The injuries below frequently result in permanent disability, extended time away from work, and medical costs that continue for years. We handle all industrial injury types, including the most complex and severe.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) occur when a sudden jolt or blow to the head leads to brain dysfunction. In industrial settings, TBIs result from falls, struck-by incidents, or hazardous substance exposure, and severity ranges from concussion to permanent brain damage.
• Severe Burn Injuries from fires, explosions, or contact with hot substances often require surgery, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation.
• Spinal Cord Injuries from falls, struck-by incidents, or machinery accidents can result in partial or complete paralysis and require significant ongoing medical intervention.
• Amputations are a devastating consequence of equipment malfunctions or direct contact with heavy machinery.
• Traumatic Eye Injuries from flying debris, chemical exposure, or tool accidents can cause partial or complete vision loss.
• Occupational Hearing Loss is a recognized industrial injury under California law, caused by prolonged exposure to high-decibel machinery and equipment on the job.
• Cumulative Trauma Injuries including chronic back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and repetitive stress conditions develop gradually over time and are covered under California workers’ compensation law.

Common Causes of Industrial Accidents & Wrongful Death

Industrial accidents rarely happen without a preventable failure somewhere in the chain. Identifying the responsible party, whether that’s an employer, a manufacturer, a contractor, or a site operator, determines which legal claims are available and what compensation may be available.

• Defective Machinery or Equipment: Faulty equipment is a leading cause of industrial accidents. Machines malfunction due to poor maintenance, manufacturer defects, or improper use. Liability can extend beyond the employer to manufacturers, distributors, and maintenance contractors, and Cal/OSHA safety violations often establish the standard of care that was breached.
• Falls from Heights: Workers on scaffolding, ladders, and elevated platforms face serious fall risks when employers fail to provide proper fall protection gear, stable working platforms, and enforced safety protocols. When a fall is fatal, those failures can support a wrongful death claim.
• Explosions and Fires: Chemical plants, refineries, and factories are especially vulnerable when safety procedures are inadequate, flammable materials are improperly stored, or fire suppression systems are absent. The parties responsible for maintaining those safeguards may be held accountable when an explosion or fire causes injury or death.
• Toxic Exposure: Prolonged exposure to asbestos, lead, and other hazardous chemicals can cause occupational disease, including cancer. Employers are required to provide protective equipment and ensure safe material handling. When those requirements go unmet, liability may arise for resulting illness or wrongful death.
• Electrocution: Industrial workplaces involve complex electrical systems, and the risk of electrocution rises sharply during construction and repair work when training and protective equipment are inadequate. Contractors and supervisors who fail to maintain a safe work environment may be held responsible.
• Vehicle Accidents: Forklifts, cranes, and heavy trucks operate in close proximity to workers throughout California’s industrial sites. Accidents involving these vehicles frequently trace back to inadequate operator training or unenforced site safety protocols, and the employer or site contractor may bear liability.