Suppose you’ve suffered work-related injuries in a construction accident, whether someone else’s negligence caused it or not. In that case, you deserve to be compensated financially for your injuries and other damages. Don’t let the fact that you work in construction or that the accident at work deter you from getting legal help to recover.
A construction accident lawyer will not only help you recover your financial losses but he or she will also ensure that you are protected in the future by preventing similar accidents from happening on the job site. But before you contact a Florida construction accident attorney, you must know some common construction site injuries, how they’ll impact your case, and what your attorney needs from you.
What Is a Construction Accident?
Construction accidents can be devastating and can be fairly common on the job. The “Fatal Four” are common construction site accidents that often result in serious injuries or even death. As a construction worker, it’s important to be aware of these major occupational safety hazards.
Falling
Falling is the most common construction accident. According to OSHA, falls account for more than one-third of all fatalities on construction sites. It’s also the leading cause of nonfatal injury, accounting for nearly half of all reported nonfatal work injuries among construction workers. Injuries from falls often lead to permanent disability, long-term medical care, mental anguish, and economic loss of income from being unable to work. Spinal cord injuries and other severe injuries are very common in construction accidents. These losses can leave a family struggling to make ends meet after a fall injury.
Machinery Accidents
Getting caught or stuck in machinery is another common construction accident. As an employee, you may be required to do jobs that involve dangerous machineries and heavy equipment like forklifts, backhoes, bulldozers, diggers, and cranes.
Even if you’re not using this equipment yourself, it’s important to take extra caution while using them around you. A sudden power outage could put you at risk and standing too close when large equipment like generators starts up or shuts down. Construction site owners should ensure there is no defective equipment and that everything is up to safety regulations.
Electrocution
Many construction jobs involve power sources and power lines. Power tools such as drills, saws, and nail guns have high voltage and may cause electrocution. Injuries due to electrocution often include burns, amputation, paralysis, brain damage, heart problems, respiratory failure, and much more. Contact a construction accident lawyer if you are injured at work due to a power tool malfunction or a faulty design.
Being Hit By an Object
Construction workers run the risk of being struck by objects on the job. Tools like hammers, hatchets, and other sharp objects may fly off shelves or out of boxes when you least expect them to. In more serious instances, being struck by an object at a construction site can result in serious neck injuries or traumatic brain injuries.
Never assume the worst won’t happen just because it never has before! Always remain vigilant, so you don’t suffer a life-changing injury due to something as simple as carelessness.
What to Do After an Accident on the Job
If you’ve been injured on the job, you may be wondering what your next steps should be.
First, you should seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine, you may have serious injuries that aren’t evident right away. You should do this immediately.
Once you’ve received medical treatment, you should report the incident to your manager. OSHA requires all construction accidents to be reported to managers or supervisors. If necessary, they may launch an investigation into the safety of the construction site.
How To Move Forward With Your Claim
If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident, you may be wondering how to begin your claim. First, you need to contact an experienced construction accident lawyer who can evaluate your case and help you get the fair compensation benefits you deserve as an injured worker.
Choose a Personal Injury Attorney
Once you’re on the road to recovery, you may want to consider talking to a construction accident attorney. A construction accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve for your job injuries. They will also help you navigate the workers’ compensation system and make sure that your rights are protected.
If you’re unsure of where to begin, here are a few tips for finding a good construction accident lawyer in Tampa or Saint Petersburg. First, look for reviews online. Review sites like Yelp or Google can give you an idea of how well-regarded the construction attorneys are in the area.
Second, ask people close to you if they know any experienced attorneys. Word-of-mouth recommendations are often the best way to find out about reputable businesses like construction accident attorneys.
Third, if you don’t have any luck with reviews or word-of-mouth referrals, call up some law firms directly. At Denmon Pearlman, we offer free case evaluations, so you can see if we’re the right fit for you. We proudly serve clients throughout Florida, including Tampa and Saint Petersburg.
What Your Lawyer Needs From You
After a construction accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. You may be wondering how to pay medical bills or support your family while you’re out of work. A construction accident lawyer will guide you to getting the compensation you deserve.
When an accident is caused by someone else’s negligence, that person is liable for damages to compensate for your injury. For example, if a contractor didn’t use safety precautions like safety harnesses when it was required, he or she would be liable for any construction injuries that result from his or her negligence. The same is true if a negligent driver was texting at the time of an accident with a worker on site.
Bring plenty of photos, all of the relevant information about the parties involved and your construction company, and any other documentation that may be helpful. Construction accident victims should also provide any witness information and medical records.
How Much Compensation Can I Get?
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, you may be wondering how much compensation you can get. The answer depends on various factors, including the severity of your injuries, whether you were partially at fault for the accident, and whether you have medical insurance. However, an experienced construction accident attorney will be able to help you get the compensation you deserve.
For example, if you’re missing work due to your injury or because of time off to recover from surgery, the employer may be liable for missed wages. If you’re unable to continue working in construction after your injury due to disability or illness, that employer could owe money as well. At Denmon Pearlman, we evaluate economic and non-economic damages, like the quality of life after a workplace accident injury, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment.
Your lawyer might also negotiate settlement terms with the contractor’s insurer that would require them to provide lifetime medical benefits in exchange for not seeking damages through litigation.
Get a Free Consultation at Denmon Pearlman
You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident. The experienced construction accident lawyers at Denmon Pearlman can help you get the money you deserve. We’ll be able to determine if you’re eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit, and we offer free consultations, so call us today to schedule yours. We serve clients in Tampa, Saint Petersburg, and throughout Florida. Your legal team will strive to earn injured construction workers the maximum compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About My Construction Injury Case
Should I hire a construction accident attorney?
If you have been hurt on a construction site, you are probably suffering from physical injuries. But do not overlook your legal rights to compensation for your injuries. Workers’ compensation may not cover all of your medical expenses or lost wages if you don’t have an attorney. When it comes to accident claims, insurance companies often rely on faulty data, making it difficult to understand how much they should pay out for your case.
How long do you have to contact a lawyer after a construction accident in Florida?
Under Florida law, you have one year to contact an experienced lawyer, or your right to file a claim will be lost. The clock begins ticking on the same day as your accident. If you were hurt on site, keep track of what happened during and after your injury by writing down names, dates, places, times, etc. Also, document everything you did following your injury — from getting medical treatment to contacting co-workers about missing work.
How long after an accident can you sue for personal injury in Florida?
Under Florida law, you have three years to sue for your accident injury. If your workplace injuries were severe, it might be worthwhile to file a claim early. A skilled attorney can advise you on how to proceed with a construction accident case.
What about workers’ compensation insurance?
Workers’ compensation insurance is a state-mandated insurance program that provides benefits to employees who suffer injuries or illnesses as a result of their job. If you are injured on the job, you should notify your employer as soon as possible and file a workers’ compensation claim with the insurance company. In most cases, you will be able to receive benefits regardless of who the liable party was for the construction site accident. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
If you are injured on the job in Florida, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expenses, income replacement, and death benefits after suffering construction accident injuries. To get these benefits, you must first file a claim with your employer. If your employer denies your claim, you can appeal to the Florida Workers’ Compensation Commission. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer will help you navigate the claims process and get the benefits you deserve.
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