San Francisco Industrial Accident Lawyer

Serious Help After A Life-Changing Industrial Accident

Industrial work keeps the Bay Area running. It also exposes workers to heavy machinery, powerful electrical systems, chemicals, and other hazards that can cause sudden, life-changing injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an industrial setting in San Francisco, you may be facing a future that looks very different from what you planned.

At Bostwick & Associates, we focus our practice on catastrophic injury cases. For more than 40 years, our team has helped injured people throughout California rebuild after devastating events. We listen closely to your story, investigate what happened, and work to hold all responsible parties accountable so you can pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

Our firm has recovered more than $1 billion for clients in complex, high-stakes cases. Founding attorney James S. Bostwick is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, which is limited to the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in the country. 

Contact us for a free consultation and speak with a team that has spent decades standing up to powerful companies and insurers after serious industrial accidents.

Common Types of Industrial Sites

San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area are home to a wide range of industrial operations. Each type of site presents unique risks and safety challenges. Common industrial sites include:

• Manufacturing plants producing machinery, electronics, food products, and industrial materials
• Warehouses and distribution centers handling shipping, storage, and logistics
• Port and dock facilities along the San Francisco waterfront
• Energy and utility facilities, including power stations and substations
• Construction and heavy infrastructure sites, such as bridge projects and transit expansions
• Chemical processing and laboratory facilities
• Recycling and waste management plants

These environments often involve heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and complex workflows—making strict safety compliance essential.

Common Types of Industrial Accidents

Despite safety regulations, industrial accidents occur far too often. Some of the most common industrial accidents our San Francisco industrial accident lawyers see include:

• Machinery accidents, including caught-in or crushed-by incidents
• Forklift and heavy equipment collisions
• Falls from heights, such as scaffolding or elevated platforms
• Electrocution and electrical burns
• Chemical spills, toxic exposure, and explosions
• Fires and flash burns
• Confined space accidents, including suffocation or gas exposure
• Structural collapses or falling objects

Many of these accidents are preventable and occur due to poor maintenance, inadequate training, or violations of workplace safety standards.

Common Types of Injuries at Industrial Sites

Industrial accidents often result in severe, life-altering injuries. Victims may require extensive medical treatment, surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Crush injuries and internal organ damage
• Amputations or loss of limbs
• Severe burns and scarring
• Broken bones and complex fractures
• Repetitive stress and overexertion injuries
• Occupational illnesses caused by toxic exposure

In the most tragic cases, industrial accidents can be fatal, leading families to pursue wrongful death claims.

Recovering Compensation from an Industrial Accident

After an industrial accident, injured workers often wonder what compensation is available. In California, recovery may involve workers’ compensation benefits, third-party claims, or both.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Most industrial workers in San Francisco are covered by California’s workers’ compensation system. These benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident and may include:

• Coverage for medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Temporary or permanent disability benefits
• Partial wage replacement
• Vocational retraining benefits

However, workers’ compensation does not provide damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or full wage loss.

Third-Party Claims

In many industrial accident cases, someone other than the employer is responsible for the injury. When this happens, a third-party personal injury claim may be available. Third parties may include:

• Equipment or machinery manufacturers
• Maintenance contractors
• Property owners or site managers
• Subcontractors or outside vendors

A successful third-party claim can allow injured workers to recover compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Full lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Emotional distress
• Future medical care

Our San Francisco industrial accident lawyer at Bostwick & Associates can evaluate your case to determine whether a third-party claim is possible and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Industrial Accident FAQs

What should I do after an industrial accident in San Francisco?

Report the injury immediately, seek medical attention, document the scene if possible, and consult an industrial accident lawyer before speaking with insurance companies.

Can I sue my employer for an industrial accident?

In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against an employer. However, exceptions may apply in cases of extreme misconduct. Third-party claims are often the best path to additional compensation.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Workers’ compensation claims must be reported promptly, and third-party personal injury claims generally have a two-year statute of limitations in California.

What if my workers’ compensation claim is denied?

You have the right to appeal a denied claim. An attorney can help challenge denials and fight for the benefits you deserve.

How much is my industrial accident case worth?

The value depends on the severity of your injuries, available insurance coverage, and whether third-party liability exists.

Why Injured Workers Choose Our Firm

After an industrial accident, you may feel pressured to trust what an employer, insurance adjuster, or workers’ compensation representative tells you. At the same time, you know that your injuries, your ability to work, and your family’s stability are on the line. You need a firm that takes your case seriously, not a practice that treats your claim like a routine file.

Our practice is built around catastrophic injury and complex litigation. Since 1978, when Attorney Bostwick obtained what was then the largest medical malpractice verdict in United States history, we have continued to secure record-setting verdicts and settlements in California and four other states. These include breaking the California record for largest medical malpractice settlement twice since 2018 and achieving one of the largest non-punitive verdicts for a single individual in the state.

Attorney Bostwick has been included in The Best Lawyers in America since 1983 and has served as President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is a Board Certified Medical Malpractice Specialist by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, a rare credential that reflects deep familiarity with serious injury medicine and complex litigation. This background helps our team understand the long-term impact of industrial injuries on your health and earning capacity.

We deliberately limit the number of cases we accept. That choice allows us to give each client personal attention, analyze every detail, and craft strategies that fit the particular industrial setting and injuries involved. We work on a contingency fee basis and cover the costs of litigating your case, so you do not pay attorney fees unless we obtain a recovery.

Call (888) 831-8448 to request your free consultation today.