Burbank is a working entertainment town. Studio lots, sound stages, post-production facilities, and back-lot construction shops employ thousands of people, from actors and stunt performers to grips, electricians, drivers, carpenters, and set builders. Production schedules are tight, sets are often temporary, and many companies share the same workspace.
That mix can be dangerous. Heavy equipment, rigging, cables, scaffolding, vehicles, special effects, and long overnight shifts all raise the risk of injury. If you were hurt on a Burbank set or lot, a Burbank personal injury lawyer can help you understand which claims may be available and protect your rights.
Workers' Compensation Comes First, But It Is Not Always the Whole Story
Most California employers must carry workers' compensation insurance. It generally provides no-fault benefits, which may include medical treatment, temporary disability payments, and, in some cases, permanent disability benefits. In exchange, injured employees usually cannot sue their employer for a workplace injury. This is often called the exclusive remedy rule.
Workers' compensation does not pay for pain and suffering, and its benefits are limited. When someone other than your employer contributed to your injury, you may have a separate third-party claim that can provide broader compensation.
Why Studio and Production Work Creates Third-Party Claims
Entertainment productions often involve many separate companies working together on the same site. That structure can create liability beyond your direct employer. Potential third parties include:
- A production company or studio that controlled the set or lot but was not your employer
- A general contractor or construction company building or dismantling sets
- An equipment rental or rigging company whose gear failed or was improperly set up
- A vehicle or camera car operator, including drivers in action or stunt sequences
- A special effects, pyrotechnics, or stunt coordination company
- A property owner or landlord responsible for unsafe conditions on the premises
- A manufacturer of defective equipment, lighting, lifts, or safety gear
- A negligent driver, such as in a crash on the way between locations while working
- A maintenance or inspection contractor that failed to identify a hazard
Who counts as your employer, and who counts as a third party, can be complicated in this industry. Loan-out companies, payroll companies, staffing arrangements, union agreements, and independent contractor labels can all affect the answer. An attorney can look at the actual working relationships.
Common Causes of Injuries on Sets and Lots
- Falls from scaffolding, catwalks, ladders, lifts, and elevated platforms
- Struck-by incidents involving falling equipment, set pieces, or vehicles
- Rigging and lighting failures
- Stunt and special effects accidents, including fire and pyrotechnics
- Vehicle accidents, including camera cars, golf carts, trucks, and studio lot traffic
- Electrical hazards from cables, generators, and temporary power setups
- Tripping hazards, such as cords, uneven floors, and cluttered walkways
- Forklift and equipment accidents
- Fatigue-related incidents after very long or overnight shifts
- Toxic exposure to fumes, dust, paints, or chemicals used in set construction
Cal/OSHA and Safety Standards
California workplace safety is regulated by Cal/OSHA. Employers have safety obligations, including training, hazard identification, and reporting certain serious injuries. After a serious incident, Cal/OSHA may investigate, and its records, citations, and findings can be valuable evidence.
A Cal/OSHA violation is not the same as a civil finding of liability, and it does not automatically decide your claim. But safety rules, industry safety bulletins, and internal production safety policies can help show what a reasonable company should have done.
Stunt Performers and Specialized Roles
Stunt work carries risks that differ from most jobs. Performers may face injuries from falls, vehicle work, fire, or combat choreography. Questions that can matter include:
- Whether safety planning and rehearsals were adequate
- Whether qualified coordinators and safety personnel were present
- Whether equipment was inspected and properly rated
- Whether performers were pressured to proceed despite safety concerns
- What union agreements and insurance arrangements apply
Because entertainment employment is layered, an attorney should review contracts, call sheets, and safety documents to determine which claims and coverages apply.
Common Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs
- Broken bones and joint injuries
- Burns
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Hearing and eye injuries
- Electrical injuries
- Emotional trauma, including PTSD
Some injuries do not show up right away. Report every injury, even if it seems minor, and seek medical care promptly.
What to Do After an Injury on Set or on a Studio Lot
- Get medical attention right away. Your health comes first.
- Report the injury to your supervisor or employer promptly, and ask that an incident report be created. Request a copy.
- Ask about workers' compensation. There are reporting and filing deadlines, so do not wait.
- Document everything. Photograph the location, equipment, and your injuries if you safely can.
- Write down what happened and who was present, including which companies were involved.
- Get witness names and contact information from crew members and others on site.
- Preserve records, such as call sheets, schedules, contracts, pay records, texts, and emails about safety concerns.
- Do not sign releases or give recorded statements to an insurer without legal advice.
- Be careful about social media.
- Speak with an attorney early, before equipment is repaired or removed and before the set is struck.
Evidence in Set and Lot Injury Cases
Productions move on quickly, sets are dismantled, and equipment returns to rental houses. Important evidence may include:
- Incident reports and internal safety reports
- Cal/OSHA reports and citations
- Call sheets, production schedules, and safety meeting records
- Contracts showing which company controlled the site and the work
- Equipment maintenance, inspection, and rental records
- The equipment or set piece involved, which should be preserved
- Photos and video, including footage shot by the production itself
- Witness statements from crew, performers, and supervisors
- Training and certification records
- Medical records and pay records showing lost income
An attorney can send preservation letters to the companies involved, demanding that equipment and records not be altered or destroyed.
Shared Fault Under California Law
In a third-party civil claim, California follows pure comparative negligence. If you are found partly at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but not eliminated. For example, if you are found 20% at fault for a $300,000 loss, you could still recover $240,000. Workers' compensation benefits, by contrast, are generally available without regard to fault.
Defendants may argue that a worker ignored instructions or took a known risk. Evidence about production pressure, staffing, and safety practices can help show what actually happened.
Compensation in a Third-Party Claim
Depending on the facts, a third-party claim may include:
Economic damages
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and long-term care
- Property damage
Non-economic damages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
In rare cases involving especially reckless or malicious conduct, punitive damages may be available.
Workers' Compensation Liens and Reimbursement
If you receive workers' compensation benefits and also recover money from a third party, the workers' compensation insurer may have a right to be reimbursed from part of the third-party recovery. How that works can affect how much you keep, so it should be considered before you settle. An attorney can explain and, in some cases, negotiate these issues.
Deadlines to Keep in Mind
- Workers' compensation: strict deadlines apply for reporting your injury to your employer and for filing a claim, so act promptly
- Third-party personal injury lawsuits: generally two years from the date of injury
- Claims against government entities: generally six months for the initial claim
- Wrongful death claims: generally two years from the date of death
Exceptions may apply, but do not rely on them.
Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Claim
- Assuming workers' compensation is your only option
- Not reporting the injury promptly
- Letting equipment or the set be removed before it is documented
- Signing paperwork or releases without legal review
- Giving a recorded statement without advice
- Failing to identify every company involved in the production
- Accepting a quick settlement before knowing the full extent of your injuries
- Waiting too long to consult an attorney
How a Burbank Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
An experienced attorney can:
- Identify third parties who may be legally responsible
- Sort through employer, loan-out, and contractor relationships
- Preserve equipment, records, and production evidence
- Work with safety, engineering, and medical experts
- Coordinate a civil claim with workers' compensation benefits
- Address liens and reimbursement rights
- Handle insurers and negotiate for a fair settlement
- File suit and take your case to trial if necessary
Many personal injury firms work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you typically pay no attorney fees unless you recover compensation. Confirm the terms during your consultation.
Hurt on a Burbank Set? Understand All of Your Options
The entertainment industry runs on deadlines, but your health and your claim should not be rushed. If you were injured on a studio lot, sound stage, or production site in Burbank or elsewhere in the San Fernando Valley, contact a Burbank personal injury lawyer to talk through what happened and learn what options may be available.