You do not need to suffer in silence because of the reckless or thoughtless actions of others. If you were injured in a construction accident, you might be eligible to file a claim for compensation for your injuries.
The outstanding team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will fight on your behalf to get compensation for construction accident injuries. Our attorneys understand Florida’s state laws concerning personal injury and have fought many cases related to construction accidents.
A Fort Myers construction accident lawyer helps people who were harmed in these types of accidents build their cases to recover damages. Begin the process of seeking compensation for your injuries today. Contact our office for a free consultation.
Construction Worker Injuries Can Be Serious and Even Fatal
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces workplace safety guidelines, regulations, and training programs for a variety of industries, including the construction industry, to keep workers and those in the vicinity of worksites safe. Florida Statutes Chapter 553 establishes codes and compliance regulations for the construction industry. That means all employers, employees, vendors, manufacturers, and other parties have a duty to provide a safe work environment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,764 fatal work injuries occurred in the United States in 2020, and 275 of those injuries occurred in Florida. While the national number is down 11% since 2019, construction occupations still had the most workplace fatalities. The statistics tell us that some of the leading causes of accidents in the workplace include:
- Transportation accidents: This includes construction workers hit by construction vehicles and other traffic and vehicle collisions. When transportation accidents occur, injuries may be extensive and range from head to back injuries.
- Falls, trips, or slips: All reported fatal accidents in this category occurred from a construction worker falling from a higher level, which can cause severe injuries. Recoverable injuries include broken bones, deep cuts, and skin wounds.
- Exposure to a harmful substance: Some substances used in construction may be dangerous, leading to potential burns, electrocution, illnesses, or other similar injuries.
- Contact with an object or equipment: This could be a result of a malfunctioning piece of equipment or from being struck or crushed by collapsing or falling structures, equipment, and materials. Injuries that may occur range from a concussion to a severed hand or crushed leg.
Types of Construction Accident Claims
Here are some of the most common construction accident claims:
- Bridge or structure collapse
- Electrical shock and electrocution
- Equipment failure
- Forklift accident
- Crane accident
- Power tool accident
- Welding accident
- Fires and explosions
- Falls from structures, equipment, or scaffolding
- Construction vehicle accident
- Workers’ Compensation claim failure
If you have been involved in one of these or another construction site accident or you have lost your loved one to one of these accidents, contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to find out how we can help you recover the compensation you need.
Who Pays for My Fort Myers Construction Accident?
Under Florida Statute 440.11, construction workers cannot sue their employer for workplace injury compensation and should file a Workers’ Compensation claim to receive compensation that covers the following:
- Medical expenses, which include the cost of emergency care, physician and specialist visits, testing, surgery, medication, prosthetics and other assistive devices, physical and occupational therapy, psychotherapy, and more.
- Lost wages, which applies when you are out of work for more than seven (7) days. Depending on the type and severity of your injuries, you could receive two-thirds to 80% of your regular income for up to six (6) months in addition to short- and long-term disability benefits.
- Death benefits to the family, which provides up to $7,500 for funeral expenses and $150,000 in lost wages when a construction worker dies of a work-related injury or illness.
There are a few scenarios in which this statute doesn’t imply, including if your employer intended to inure you on the job or if your employer fails to secure Workers’ Compensation per your claim.
You can also pursue a negligence claim against a third party to try to recover more compensation to better protect yourself and your family from financial hardship. Some third parties you may seek compensation from include:
- Construction site/property owners: If the owner violates any OSHA guidelines or rules per Florida Statutes Chapter 533, they may be held responsible for any accidents caused by certain hazards or a lack of information about site hazards.
- General contractors and sub-contractors: These parties may be negligent if they fail to follow industry standards for safety, construction practices, use of tools, equipment operation, and more if their actions or lack of action cause your accident.
- Construction team supervisors: Supervisors who do not accurately and swiftly communicate instructions, notify teams of how to handle hazards, or enforce safety guidelines may be found negligent for a construction accident.
- Construction engineers and architects: Flaws in the design of a structure can cause an accident, which can make these parties negligent and liable for the damages.
- Equipment manufacturers: If equipment malfunctions and causes an accident, the manufacturer can be held responsible for product liability.
- Motorists: A construction worker can be injured on the job when another motorist collides with the construction vehicle they’re operating or hits them while on the site near traffic.
You May Pursue Recoverable Damages From a Construction Accident
A Fort Myers construction accident lawyer may collect additional evidence to help you recover the damages you have incurred. Whether your case involves a construction accident injury or a wrongful death, your lawyer may be able to take appropriate measures to build your case on your behalf.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine may gather information about your case from various sources, such as medical facilities, police departments, and witnesses. They may also collect information about your lost earnings. Finally, you may be able to get monetary compensation for mental anguish and suffering.
To begin discussing the details of your case, feel free to reach out by completing our online contact form today. A member of our team can tell you more about your potential legal options and how a lawyer may help your case.
Seek Help from a Fort Myers Construction Accident Lawyer
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, our team of attorneys is ready to get on your case and fight for you today. Our Fort Myers construction accident lawyers will work hard so that you may recover your damages. Get started today by contacting our office for a free consultation.
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