Construction workers have the most dangerous job in the country, which is evident from the number of occupational fatalities in the construction industry. Construction sites involve the use of dangerous tools and heavy machinery, not to mention that construction workers are often required to work from great heights on scaffolding and ladders. In addition, workers have to work long hours in extreme heat and inclement weather.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry accounts for about 20% of all occupational fatalities in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of construction workers suffer serious injuries annually.
Being injured on a construction site can be a devastating and nerve-wracking experience for any construction worker. At Iscoe Law Firm, we understand that a construction site injury can affect your ability to provide for your family. That is why our construction accident lawyers are dedicated to helping injured victims and their families pursue the compensation they are entitled to.
If you or your loved one has been injured on a construction site – or worse, you lost your loved one in a construction accident – do not hesitate to contact our Fort Lauderdale construction accident attorneys at Iscoe Law Firm to discuss your options for compensation. Call 800-800-6500 to receive a free consultation.
Nearly all construction accidents are entirely preventable when property owners and construction site managers take all the precautions to avoid accidents and follow all the regulations imposed by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
Unfortunately, construction accidents are bound to happen when property owners and construction companies fail to take proper safety precautions. As a result, construction workers can sustain devastating injuries, leaving them without the means to support themselves and their families.
Let’s review some of the most common causes of accidents that occur on construction sites:
There are many other causes of construction accidents. While some of these accidents may not be entirely preventable, the vast majority of them are. When a construction accident occurs as a result of failure to take proper safety precautions, lack of supervision, insufficient training, or other forms of negligent or reckless conduct, injured construction workers can pursue compensation for their resulting injuries and losses.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that makes sure that property owners and construction companies comply with all safety regulations to prevent construction accidents. When property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, construction site managers, or workers neglect OSHA regulations, construction accidents are likely to occur.
Falls from heights are the leading cause of injuries (48%) and deaths (30%) on construction sites. One of the regulations OSHA covers is protecting construction workers from falls. Under 29 CFR § 1926.501(b)(1), construction companies are required to install fall protection when a worker is working on a horizontal or vertical working surface with an unprotected side/edge that is at least 6 feet above the lower level.
There are many OSHA regulations that construction companies and property owners must comply with to prevent accidents on construction sites. That is why it is vital to discuss your particular case with an experienced construction accident lawyer to evaluate the facts of your accident and determine if any OSHA regulations were violated.
While workers may sustain serious injuries in any industry, construction workers are much more likely to get injured on the job due to their exposure to hazardous conditions. While any type of construction accident injury can require extensive and costly medical treatment, some of the most common types of injuries suffered by construction workers include:
Because constriction workers are exposed to toxic substances and chemicals, they are likely to develop chronic diseases, including:
Work-related traumatic injuries and occupational diseases can dramatically impact construction workers and their families. An injured worker may need to take extended time off work and spend thousands of dollars on medical expenses.
For this reason, it is important to contact a knowledgeable construction accident attorney to seek compensation for all your injuries and losses.
Under Florida’s workers’ compensation law, employers are generally immune from negligence-based injury lawsuits filed by their injured employees as long as they carry workers’ comp insurance.
That is why suing your employer may not be an option if you have been injured in a construction accident and your employer has workers’ compensation coverage. However, you may be able to pursue a third-party injury claim against other liable parties, including:
Consult with a skilled construction accident attorney to determine what caused your injury and determine liable parties in your particular case. Our Fort Lauderdale construction accident lawyers at Iscoe Law Firm offer free consultations to prospective clients. Get your free case review by calling 800-800-6500 right now.
When a construction worker is injured on the job, they have several options available to obtain compensation for their injuries and losses, including:
It is advisable to consult with a construction accident attorney to determine what compensation option is best in your particular situation.
Every construction accident case is different, which is why the exact compensation the injured party can seek depends on many factors, including the severity of their injuries.
Generally, injured construction workers can recover the following types of damages:
Unlike all other types of damages, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for their particularly egregious conduct. All other damages are compensatory and intended to make the victim whole or return the victim as closely as possible to where they were before the accident.
Fla. Stat. § 768.72 provides that punitive damages may be awarded to an injured party when they can prove that the defendant engaged in gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Families of construction workers who were killed on the job can seek compensation for the wrongful death. In addition to the above-mentioned damages, surviving family members may also be entitled to:
Contact a skilled construction accident attorney if your loved one died on a construction site in Florida. Our knowledgeable lawyers at Iscoe Law Firm are committed to representing construction accident victims and their families throughout the state. We have our offices in Miami, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.
People injured as a result of someone else’s negligent or reckless conduct have a limited amount of time to take legal action against the negligent parties. The time limit is known as the statute of limitations.
Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11, injured construction workers – or any other injured persons – have four years from the date of the accident to sue the negligent party. If a construction worker died on the job, their surviving family members have only two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida.
While four or even two years might seem like a significant amount of time, it is best to start working on your legal case as soon as possible to achieve a favorable outcome in your case.
Our knowledgeable and dedicated construction accident lawyers at Iscoe Law Firm are prepared to stand up for your rights if you were injured on a construction site or lost your loved one in a construction accident.
We understand what you are going through. We know that this is a difficult time for you and your family. That is why our construction accident attorneys are committed to helping you obtain the compensation you need to get back on your feet and provide for your family.
Our lawyers will handle the legal aspects of your construction accident claim while you focus on what matters most: your medical treatment. We proudly serve clients across the State of Florida, including in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.
Schedule a free case review with our attorneys to determine liability in your particular case and discuss your compensation options. You can take comfort in the fact that we do not charge our clients for initial consultations. Feel free to contact our law offices by calling 800-800-6500 or fill out this contact form.