Fort Lauderdale Construction Accident Lawyer
A career in construction is more dangerous than some other careers. Although the workers know that their positions are hazardous, they also have a right to a level of safety. The employers should take precautions to keep workers safe from the dangers on a job site.
Unfortunately, many construction workers experience on-the-job injuries. Their injuries could leave them unable to work and in significant pain. A construction accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can fight for your financial security. With Friedland and Associates by your side, you can work towards a better future.
What Are the Main Causes of Construction Accidents?
Anyone who has ever been on a construction site knows that it can be a dangerous place. To keep workers and visitors safe, there are safety regulations. Yet, accidents still happen. All of the following are common causes of construction accidents:
Lack of Supervision
Some construction jobs require supervision. The supervisor can prevent workers from acting unsafely and also provide immediate care in the event of an accident. But there are construction companies that don’t want to pay for a supervisor or manager. As a result, they could be liable for your injuries.
Improper Training
If you work construction, you probably went through some type of training. That training should have been thorough and included important information about safety.
To save money, some employers skimp on training. They send workers on sites before they are prepared for the job. All too often, this causes accidents.
Lack of Safety Protocols or Enforcement of Protocols
Without safety precautions, workers at a construction site are at a high risk of injury. It’s up to the employer to have strict safety protocols. For instance, they might require workers on a tall scaffolding to wear a safety harness. Without a harness, a worker could fall.
It’s not the worker’s responsibility to develop safety regulations. If an employer does not work towards making the workplace safe, they could be responsible for an accident.
Injuries Often Experienced by Construction Workers
Construction site accidents cause a higher rate of severe and catastrophic personal injuries than other types of workplace accidents. The injuries sustained in construction accidents can be life-changing and commonly include:
Broken Bones
If a construction worker falls or trips, they can suffer from broken bones. The injury is very painful and may require surgery. For weeks or months, the worker could be unable to use a broken limb. After the bone recovers, the victim could need physical therapy.
Burns
If there’s a fire in the workplace, a worker can experience a burn injury. The severity of the injury varies. For instance, a third-degree burn could require a skin graft. It can also leave an unsightly scar.
Burns can also happen from hot equipment or even from chemicals. No matter how your burn was caused, the pain and disfigurement could dramatically affect your life.
Brain Injuries
Construction workers have equipment to protect their head from falling objects. However, they don’t always have helmets. In some cases, the protective equipment could fall off during an accident.
Without any protection, a worker can suffer from a brain injury. Minor injuries can still be serious, potentially causing short-term memory loss and other issues. Other accidents can have more disastrous effects and can result in a loss of motor skills and permanent disability.
Back Injuries
Most of your movements involve your back. For that reason, a back injury could be debilitating. You may be unable to work for months. In some cases, you could develop chronic back pain. Certain accidents, such as a fall or being crushed by a machine, could result in paralysis.
Worker’s Compensation and Construction Accidents
In Florida, employers in the construction industry need to have worker’s compensation insurance. But the insurance company doesn’t always act in the victim’s best interest. They can fight your claim to recover medical bills and lost wages.
By working with an attorney, you can take on the insurance company. You also may be able to file a personal injury claim against a negligent individual or entity. If there’s evidence of their negligence, you could receive money for damages.
When Can You File a Personal Injury Claim?
Not all construction accidents are the fault of the employer. However, many of them are. It’s important to understand liability laws for construction accidents.
If you received safety training but ignored the lessons, you may be to blame for your accident. The same is true of someone who fails to use the required safety equipment. You can try to go through worker’s compensation, but you cannot file a personal injury claim.
For instance, it might be a workplace policy to wear steel-toed boots. You don’t wear them and an object falls on your foot. Despite suffering from a broken foot, your injury is your own fault. Therefore, you cannot hold your employer liable for your injuries.
On the other hand, an employer could share part or all of the responsibility for your accident. It’s a construction company’s duty to make the workplace as safe as possible. If they fail to do that, then they could be liable for your accident.
One common example of employer liability is a lack of safety training. Their lack of training could be the reason for your injuries.
Other Responsible Parties
At times, a different party is liable for your accident. For instance, an equipment manufacturer may have produced an unsafe tool. If that tool malfunctioned and caused you harm, you could hold the manufacturer accountable.
A negligent co-worker or sub-contractor could also be responsible. By ignoring safety practices or acting recklessly, they put other workers at risk.
Determining liability in a construction accident can be challenging. If you’re unsure where the blame lies, you can speak with a work injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale who has knowledge of construction law in Florida.
Work with a Construction Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale
In a period of two days, three workers were injured on Fort Lauderdale construction sites. Every year, thousands of accidents occur on construction sites across the United States.
If you’re one of the many victims, you deserve help. By working with a construction accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, you can have someone handle your case. Contact Friedland and Associates to get the aggressive legal representation you deserve.
