Construction jobs are often dangerous. They come with a number of hazards, including extreme heights, toxic chemicals and heavy tools. Injuries incurred from the construction industry are usually long term and in some cases, even fatal. Because of the many dangers that exist on construction sites, workplace accidents are unfortunately common.
Common Construction Accidents in Florida
With a large construction industry, Florida has the second-highest rate of construction worker fatalities in the United States. As such, construction injuries are a significant concern. The most common construction accidents are:
- Falls from high locations: An employee may be working on a high floor and then fall to the ground due to unprotected edges, weak support structures, or other hazards. According to the CDC, falls were the leading cause of all construction-related fatalities in 2017.
- Hit by an object: Construction workers tend to work on and around very high structures, so it’s not uncommon for various tools, heavy objects and even certain building materials to fall on them.
- Electrocution: Construction sites have electrical systems that are in various stages of progress. This includes exposed wires that can cause electrocution.
- Caught in between equipment: When an individual is trapped between objects, it often compresses and crushes the person. This happens when someone is trapped against a wall by a vehicle, or when machinery pulls in a body part.
- Slipping or tripping on cables: An employee can trip on cables or light working equipment and hit their head hard on the floor.
- Ground collapses: In a construction site, the ground is often unstable due to digging and other routine work. The ground can collapse and cause a worker to be buried in them.
- Overexertion/ heatstroke: Due to prolonged exposure to heat and humidity, workers may suffer heat stroke or other related injuries.
- Repetitive Stress Injury: As a result of repeating hard labor overtime, one may develop back issues or even hearing loss. These injuries are not as severe as the others but it may cause long term problems for the worker.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Disfigurement
Despite your best efforts, accidents can occur. If you get injured at work, you should inform your employer immediately. You can seek worker’s compensation and not sue your employer or you can take legal actions and not seek worker’s compensation.
Before you make any decisions, you should contact an experienced attorney to put you through everything. All construction businesses in the state of Florida must have Florida workers’ compensation insurance.
Read more: Compensation Options For Catastrophic Injury
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Construction Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a construction accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured because of construction accidents in Broward, Dade, Palm Beach Counties, and throughout Florida. Call 954-525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach and Plantation.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.