California Third-Party Workplace Injury Lawyer

If you were injured at work in California, your case may involve more than workers’ compensation. In many situations, a separate third-party injury claim may exist against a negligent driver, contractor, property owner, or equipment company.

These cases often arise in construction, road work, delivery work, warehouse settings, public works projects, and jobsite transportation incidents. They can also arise when a worker is struck by a vehicle while performing duties near traffic, injured by defective equipment, harmed by another contractor on the site, or hurt because a dangerous property condition was not properly addressed.

Kantzabedian Law Firm represents individuals injured on job sites and in workplace incidents throughout Los Angeles County and across California, with a focus on identifying all available claims — not just the workers' compensation claim. We speak English, Spanish, and Armenian.

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California third-party workplace injury cases are often more complex than standard injury claims because they may involve:

A workers’ compensation claim and a civil lawsuit at the same time
Reimbursement or subrogation issues
Public-entity claim deadlines
Construction-specific liability limitations
Multiple insurance policies and defendants

A proper case analysis starts by identifying who employed the injured worker, who controlled the area or activity that led to the injury, what equipment was involved, what contracts governed the work, and whether a non-employer third party caused or contributed to the harm. You can read more about how these claims work on our Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Lawsuits in California page.

When a Third-Party Workplace Injury Claim May Exist

A separate injury claim may exist when a California worker is injured because of:

A negligent driver while working
Another contractor’s negligence on a jobsite
Unsafe equipment supplied by an owner or general contractor
Defective tools, machinery, lifts, scaffolding, or rented equipment
A hidden property hazard that was not properly disclosed
A work zone, lane closure, or traffic-control failure
A dangerous condition involving public property
Negligence by a material supplier, delivery company, or site vehicle operator

For example, equipment-related cases are discussed in more detail on our defective tools, machinery, and work equipment injury claims page.

Work zone and roadway-related incidents are explained further on our work zone and traffic-control failure claims page.

Construction and Infrastructure Cases Require Careful Analysis

Not every serious construction-site injury creates a valid claim against the owner or general contractor. California law often limits those claims, which is why these cases need to be framed carefully from the start.

You can learn more about these limitations and when a claim may still exist on our page explaining when you can sue a general contractor or property owner in California:

That said, valid cases may still exist where the facts show retained control, unsafe equipment furnished by others, concealed hazards, another contractor’s negligence, or a true product or equipment defect.

These issues are addressed in more detail on the following pages:

Retained control claims against general contractors' page.

Hidden hazard and failure-to-warn construction claims page.

Construction-related injuries are among the most common types of workplace incidents in California. These cases often involve multiple contractors, jobsite safety issues, and equipment-related risks, and may allow for a third-party claim beyond workers’ compensation depending on the facts. You can learn more about these cases on our construction accident lawyer page.

Road Workers, Caltrans Workers, and Public Employees

Workers injured on or near California highways, freeways, work zones, lane closures, and public works corridors may have strong third-party cases when they are struck by traffic or injured because a non-employer party created a dangerous condition.

These cases may involve:

A negligent passing driver
The permissive owner of the vehicle
A commercial employer of the at-fault driver
Another contractor on the project
Traffic-control failures
Dangerous public property issues, depending on the facts and deadlines

These types of incidents are often part of broader work zone cases discussed on our work zone and traffic-control failure claims page

How These Cases Are Usually Investigated

A strong third-party workplace injury case often depends on early investigation, including:

Incident reports
Witness statements
Contracts between project entities
Safety responsibilities assigned by contract
Photographs and video
Equipment maintenance and rental records
Product identification and chain-of-distribution evidence
Roadway layout, lane closure, and traffic-control plans
Public-entity records where applicable

Common Injuries in Workplace Incidents

Workplace injuries are often serious due to the physical nature of many job environments, including:

Fractures and orthopedic injuries
Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Crush injuries and amputations
Burns and chemical exposure injuries
Nerve damage and chronic pain conditions
Wrongful death

These injuries often require long-term care and can permanently affect a worker's ability to earn a living.

Who May Be Responsible

Depending on the circumstances, liability in a workplace injury case may involve:

A general contractor or subcontractor on a job site
A property owner or premises manager
An equipment or machinery manufacturer
A supplier or distributor of defective products
A delivery or transportation company
A government entity in certain situations

California follows a comparative fault system, and responsibility may be shared among multiple parties.

Potential Compensation

In a third-party workplace injury claim, compensation may include:

Medical expenses and ongoing treatment
Full lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Out-of-pocket expenses
Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Time limits apply. Some claims involving government entities have shorter deadlines and additional notice requirements.

Serving Workplace Injury Clients Throughout California

The firm represents injured workers throughout California, including:

Los Angeles
Glendale
Burbank
San Fernando Valley
Bakersfield
Sacramento

What to Do After a Workplace Injury

After a workplace injury in California:

Seek medical attention immediately
Report the incident to your employer
Document the scene, equipment, and conditions if possible
Avoid giving detailed recorded statements to insurance companies early
Identify any third parties involved in the incident

Even if the injury occurred at work, the key question is whether someone other than your employer contributed to what happened.

California Workplace Injury & Third Party Claims Lawyer