Among the most dangerous fields in which you can work is construction. One mistake or misstep can have disastrous consequences, causing serious injuries or even fatalities.
Construction companies, property managers, equipment manufacturers, and other workers in the immediate area have a responsibility to make sure the work site is as safe as possible, and each party must play their own part in that process. When one of these entities fails to meet its obligations and its negligence causes an accident, the injured party may have cause to pursue compensation for damages, which can be extensive.
Many injuries that occur on construction sites are handled by Florida workers’ compensation laws. Some of these injuries can be quite severe — even deadly. According to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), construction fatalities comprise around 20 percent of all workplace deaths. In Florida alone, 306 construction deaths occurred in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Workers can suffer a multitude of personal injuries on a construction site. Some examples include:
Most accidents that take place on construction sites in Florida fall into what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration calls “the fatal four,” which include: falls, electrocutions, workers struck by objects or caught in or between equipment, and collapsing structures or materials. The following are just some of the causes that can contribute to these types of accidents:
Inadequate protective equipment. Employers are supposed to provide employees with appropriate safety gear, including fall protection systems, respirators, hardhats, and other protective equipment that is necessary. In some cases, however, employers fail to provide such protections, sometimes in their attempt to reduce overhead costs on a particular project. By failing to comply with these standards, the employer may be in violation of OSHA policies, which can leave them liable for compensation if an employee or bystander is hurt on the construction site as a result.
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, you may be able to recover from damages. Personal injuries in a construction accident can run the gamut, from minor injuries to extremely serious ones. The first thing you should do is seek medical help—even if you believe your injuries are minor, you need to consult with a medical professional and obtain important documentation in the process.
If your Florida construction accident occurred on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. In Florida, you may receive medical and rehabilitative benefits, as well as income benefits to replace your income if you cannot work. You should report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days after it happens. Within seven days of receiving notice of your injuries, your employer must report them to their insurance company. You should also consider consulting with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Florida, who can help you navigate the complex process of recovery.
If you were injured on a construction site as a passerby or in another non-working role, you may have a claim for negligence against the construction company, the operator of the construction site, or even an involved third party. To prove negligence, you will need to focus on a breach of the duty of reasonable care, which directly caused your injuries. An Orlando construction law attorney can help ascertain important facts and connect them to the legal issues in your negligence case.
The causes of construction site accidents are many and varied. Identifying the circumstances that contributed to your accident, the various parties involved, and their responsibilities under the law typically take the expertise of a seasoned Orlando construction lawyer. Our attorneys who specialize in these cases can help you understand your rights and your likelihood of receiving compensation from various sources. Contact us if you would like to schedule a free consultation.
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