Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld Serving Bakersfield, Fresno, Long Beach, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Visalia
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Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld
805-243-2179
Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld Relentlessly Protecting California Workers' Rights Since 1956

Construction Accident Attorney in Santa Maria

Protecting Santa Maria Construction Workers Since 1956

When a construction accident puts you out of work, you need attorneys who know how to pursue every benefit available under California law, not just the first form that gets filed. Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld has represented injured California workers since 1956, with a Santa Maria office and a team that works for employees, not employers or insurance companies. Our attorneys and staff bring over 65 years of combined experience helping injured workers secure the benefits they deserve.

If you were hurt on a construction job in Santa Maria, CA, call our office at (805) 243-2179 to schedule your free consultation. We handle these cases on a contingency basis, so there’s no fee unless you recover compensation.

Why Construction Accidents Happen in Santa Maria

Santa Maria’s economy spans petroleum production, aerospace, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and military operations. Each sector involves heavy industrial and construction work, which means serious workplace injuries are a real and ongoing risk. Falls from scaffolding or ladders, being struck by falling objects, electrocution from unguarded wiring, and being caught in or between machinery account for the majority of fatal and disabling construction accidents across the industry.

California job sites are governed by Cal/OSHA, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, under Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations. Cal/OSHA sets detailed standards for fall protection, guardrails, equipment guarding, and dozens of other hazard categories. When those standards aren’t followed and a worker is hurt, the legal consequences can extend well beyond a single workers’ compensation claim.

How a Construction Accident Claim Works in California

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You don’t need to prove your employer was negligent, only that your injury happened in the course of your job. California law requires you to notify your employer within 30 days of an injury. Your employer must then provide a DWC-1 claim form within one working day of learning about it. From there, you generally have one year from the date of injury to file a formal workers’ compensation claim with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Santa Maria-area claims are typically assigned to the San Luis Obispo District Office.

Construction sites are different from most workplaces because multiple employers often share the same site. That complexity can create a second avenue for recovery. If your injury resulted from the negligence of a general contractor, subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer who isn’t your direct employer, you may have grounds for a third-party liability claim separate from your workers’ compensation case. Third-party claims are filed in civil court and can recover damages that workers’ compensation doesn’t cover, including full lost wages and pain and suffering. Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, most personal injury claims against a third party must be filed within two years of the date of injury. When both avenues are available, pursuing them together may lead to additional recovery beyond either one alone.

TESTIMONIALS

Hear what Our Clients Have to Say
    "I can actually say I am looking forward to working with them."
    Her patience in explaining my situation with my case was comforting. No one really explained it in a way I could ever understand. She gave me a sense of hope that I may actually get the help needed under her watch.
    - Nakia D.
    "They restored my dignity."
    This law firm accepted my bogged down nine-year-old Worker's Compensation case from another law office. In less than 12 months, I was awarded a just compensation package. Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld not only fought and won my case, but they restored my dignity.
    - Former Client
    "They are amazing."
    I love Ghitterman Ghitterman & Feld. They are amazing, and the case workers are amazing. They understand and hear me in every aspect of my situation, thank you so much.
    - Maria G.
    "I honestly could not have done it without them."
    This is the second time I have used Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld for different types of cases. This is the second time I have received a settlement. I am very grateful for the team. Everyone involved is kind and amazing. I honestly could not have done it without them. I highly recommend!
    - Former Client
    "When I needed an attorney, I chose Ghitterman Ghitterman & Feld."
    I am a (former) Workers' Compensation Claims Adjuster, so I know when an attorney is representing their client well. Being injured on the job has given me a keen appreciation of having a smart, compassionate, and proactive attorney in my corner.
    - Samuel L.
    "You made me feel comfortable, welcomed, cared for, and accepted in an uncertain time."
    ou are what I was waiting for. With you, I feel like we are a team. We will win this case together, and I’m certain about it because of you.
    - Nestor S.
    "Made me feel like I mattered."
    Candi made me feel like I mattered. She was very nice and helpful. She made everything so easy, which took away the stress of the issue.
    - Carl N.
    "They were very dedicated to my case."
    Ghitterman Ghitterman & Feld law office was professional and amazing. They were very dedicated to my case, and through their persistence, they won my case for disability. I highly recommend them as your advocates and lawyers.
    - Scott S.

    Why Santa Maria Construction Workers Choose Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld

    Our team includes attorneys who are Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation, a credential held by fewer than 5 percent of attorneys licensed in California. That distinction matters because construction accident claims are rarely straightforward. Third-party liability, pre-existing conditions, and disputed injury dates all require a level of precision that general representation may miss.

    Our approach to every construction accident case:

    • Full benefit review: We assess eligibility for workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability benefits, and the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund in each case
    • Third-party investigation: We examine whether a general contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner shares liability for the accident
    • Bilingual service: Our bilingual attorneys and staff serve clients in both English and Spanish
    • Contingency fee structure: You pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you

    Over the firm’s history, we’ve won 95 percent of our cases. That record reflects decades of diligent investigation and careful case-building, not a promise of any particular outcome in your case. We work carefully so no detail is overlooked.

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