“Eman at Yazdchi Law was extremely professional, responsive, and supportive at all times. He and his staff exceeded all of my expectations.”
Andrea Dalessandro
✦ Board-Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law — State Bar of California ✦
Construction is California’s most dangerous industry. When you’re injured, experience matters.
By Eman Yazdchi, Esq. · Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law
Construction is the engine that drives Newhall's economy. Crews tear into century-old bungalows and frame new commercial buildings along the corridors that stretch from Main Street toward the broader Santa Clarita Valley. The work is dangerous in any context, but Newhall construction carries particular risks tied to the town's age and character. Older structures conceal hazards that newer builds do not: asbestos behind plaster walls, knob-and-tube wiring in attic spaces, deteriorated foundations that give way without warning. When a construction worker gets hurt on a Newhall job site, the claim demands a lawyer who understands both the industry and the workers' comp system.
The construction work happening in Newhall falls into several categories, each with distinct hazards. Residential renovation is the largest segment. Newhall's housing stock includes homes built from the 1920s through the 1960s, and bringing these properties up to modern standards requires demolition, structural reinforcement, re-wiring, re-plumbing, and re-roofing. Workers on these projects face:
Falls remain the leading cause of construction fatalities and serious injuries in California. A roofer working a steep pitch on a Newhall bungalow, a framer on scaffolding, or an HVAC installer on a ladder are all one misstep from a catastrophic injury. Falls account for the majority of construction spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and multiple fracture cases that come through the workers' comp system.
Electrocution is a persistent hazard on renovation sites where existing wiring is outdated or improperly documented. An electrician who contacts a live circuit in a panel box that was never properly labeled, or a drywaller who drives a screw into a concealed wire, can suffer electrical burns, cardiac arrest, or nerve damage that causes permanent disability.
Struck-by and caught-between injuries occur when materials fall from height, when equipment malfunctions, or when structural elements collapse during demolition. A concrete block that breaks loose during a foundation pour, a load that swings free from a crane, or a wall that collapses during demo work can cause crush injuries, amputations, and fatalities.
Toxic exposures are especially prevalent on Newhall renovation sites. Asbestos was used extensively in insulation, floor tiles, and joint compound in homes built before 1980. Lead paint is present in virtually every pre-1978 structure. Workers who disturb these materials without proper containment and respiratory protection face mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lead poisoning, conditions that may not manifest for years or decades after the exposure.
Construction injuries in Newhall involve multiple layers of legal complexity. The general contractor, subcontractors, and property owner may all bear responsibility for worksite safety. Under Labor Code Section 3700, each employer on the site must carry workers' comp insurance, and the general contractor is jointly liable for the coverage obligations of its subcontractors under Labor Code Section 1700.
This layered structure means that identifying the correct insurer and liable parties requires legal analysis. A framing subcontractor's employee who is injured by the negligence of the electrical subcontractor may have claims against multiple insurers. If the general contractor failed to verify that its subcontractors carried insurance, the general contractor's policy may be responsible. These multi-party claims are common on Newhall job sites and require an attorney who can navigate the overlapping obligations.
Temporary disability benefits for construction workers are calculated based on your average weekly wage, including overtime and any premium pay. Under Labor Code Section 4653, temporary total disability pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a statutory maximum. For skilled tradespeople working prevailing wage or union scale, these payments can be substantial, but only if the wage calculation is done correctly. Insurance companies frequently understate construction workers' earnings by excluding overtime that was regularly worked.
Construction workers in Newhall face systemic barriers to getting their full benefits. Many work for small subcontractors who pressure them not to report injuries. Some are classified as independent contractors despite working under the direct supervision of a general contractor, using the contractor's tools, and following the contractor's schedule. Others work for employers who carry workers' comp insurance but dispute every claim aggressively to keep their experience modification rate low.
The physical nature of construction work also means that permanent disability ratings are typically higher than in other occupations. A laborer with a 25% whole-person impairment to his back cannot return to heavy construction. His permanent disability award must reflect the loss of future earning capacity in a field where physical ability is the primary qualification. A construction injury lawyer ensures that the medical evaluations and disability calculations in your case accurately reflect what you have lost.
Yazdchi Law P.C. represents Newhall construction workers at the Van Nuys WCAB, handling everything from initial claim filing to trial. Our Palmdale office is 28 miles north on the 14 Freeway, and we are available to meet with injured workers by appointment.
Injured at work in Newhall? Call (661) 273-1780
Tap to call →Construction injury claims are among the most complex in workers' compensation. Multiple employers, disputed coverage, toxic exposures, and high-value permanent disability awards all require an attorney with deep expertise. Eman Yazdchi is a Board-Certified Workers' Compensation Specialist, one of fewer than 1% of California attorneys to hold this credential. That level of specialization matters when the insurer's defense team is looking for any angle to reduce your benefits.
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