Even in the construction profession, no one expects to suffer a severe injury at work.
If you or someone you love recently suffered a construction accident in Melbourne, Florida we encourage you to call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine.
Our team prides itself on serving the local, working-class citizens of Melbourne to the best of our abilities. Our legal team offers free consultations. Call us today at 1-800-747-3733 to get started with a construction accident lawyer in Melbourne.
Injuries and Causes of Melbourne Construction Site Accidents
If you have injuries due to a construction accident, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine may be able to help you fight for compensation. Common construction site injuries that might be compensable include:
- Severe cuts and lacerations
- Back injuries
- Paralysis
- Death
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation
- Severe burn injuries
Knowing the cause of your construction site accident informs how you can collect damages to cover your losses. The following is a list of the leading causes of construction site accidents:
- Slip and falls
- Defective equipment
- Falling objects
- Exposure to dangerous or toxic substances
- Mechanical malfunctions
- Fires or explosions
- Electrical accidents or failures
- Welding accidents
There are also a wide variety of parties whom could be held responsible for your Melbourne construction accident. No matter who is ultimately responsible for your accident, understanding how to approach a personal injury claim, or even wrongful death lawsuit, is vital to receiving compensation.
Worker’s Compensation Claims
Most construction site accidents would fall under Florida’s Worker’s Compensation laws. Florida requires most businesses to carry Worker’s Compensation insurance, including construction sites.
Benefits of Worker’s Compensation
Worker’s Compensation comes with a few protections but also has a few limitations. Before you collect Worker’s Compensation for your construction accident, you must determine if you are eligible for Worker’s Compensation.
You are eligible for Worker’s Compensation if you meet the following:
- Your injury was work-related and occurred on-site
- Your injury forces you to miss seven days or more of work
- You are not an independent contractor working on the site
Once you have determined if you are eligible for Worker’s Compensation after your accident, you can reap its benefits. Workers injured in Melbourne construction accidents are eligible for medical and wage benefits.
Medical Benefits
Florida’s Worker’s Compensation laws should cover your medical bills. That includes everything from ambulance trips, emergency room stays, therapy and doctor’s visits. In fact, these bills should not be made out to you. They should be made out to your construction company’s insurance company.
Wage Benefits
After medical care, recovering lost wages will be your primary concern following a construction accident. You must miss at least seven days of work to be eligible for Worker’s Compensation. Your payments begin on the eighth day for injuries requiring you to miss up to 22 days of employment. However, if your injuries keep you out more than 22 days, you can begin collecting Worker’s Compensation benefits from day one. As of January 1, 2018, the maximum an employee may receive in Worker’s Compensation benefits is $917 per week.
Limitations of Worker’s Compensation
You usually cannot sue the company in addition to receiving Worker’s Compensation. There are instances when the money you receive from Worker’s Compensation will not cover all your needs. For example, if your injuries force you to stop working.
Your personal injury lawsuit could also include lost earning potential. Also, Worker’s Compensation does not cover contractors. You could potentially sue after your accident, but you do not get the guaranteed coverages that Worker’s Compensation provides.
Call a Melbourne Construction Accident Attorney
Construction accidents happen far too often. And while only so much can be done to prevent them, you can do your due diligence in the aftermath. Part of that due diligence is determining the value of your case. And determining if any form of foul play or negligence contributed to your accident.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine has represented victims in a wide variety of personal injury cases. Our dedicated team takes time to guide each of these victims through the details surrounding Florida’s complicated Worker’s Compensation laws and informed them what they could expect. Our consultations are free, call us at 1-800-747-3733 to schedule your appointment today.
We Can Help.
