Miami Construction Site Accident Attorneys
Each year, millions of workers are injured at work in the United States, many as a result of preventable accidents. In 2020 alone, 4,764 workers were fatally injured on the job, with workers in transportation, material moving, extraction and construction occupations accounting for nearly half of all fatal occupational injuries, according to figures released by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Construction work sites are especially dangerous for workers but also for visitors and pedestrians walking near construction sites. In fact, in Florida, the construction industry has the highest number of fatal work injuries per year of any industry, with approximately 80 deaths occurring annually. Nationally, the construction industry also has five of the ten most frequently cited OSHA standard violations, including fall protection, ladders, scaffolding, fall protection training and eye and face protection.
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a construction site accident, you may be facing many difficulties. The Miami construction site accident attorneys at Boyers Law Group understand the devastating impact a construction accident can have on you and your family and want to help. We will protect your rights and help you navigate the complex maze of government regulations and laws to successfully pursue justice and obtain the financial compensation you deserve.
Instead of trying to go it alone after a construction site accident, contact the experienced and committed Miami construction site accident attorneys at Boyers Law Group for help. Please call us at 305-512-7600 or submit the “Tell Us What Happened” form on our website to get expert advice from an experienced Miami construction site accident attorney.
What Are Common Construction Site Accident Injuries in Florida?
Unfortunately for workers in the construction industry, the risk of being injured in a workplace accident is significantly higher than for workers in most other industries. Statistics compiled by OSHA indicate that 976 people died in a construction site accident in one recent year.
Construction site accidents can happen in many ways. However, the following type of accidents, referred to as the “fatal four” by OSHA because collectively they make up the bulk of all construction site accidents, are the most common types of accident injuries:
- “Struck by an object” injuries. An estimated one in ten construction site accident fatalities is caused by a swinging, falling or misplaced object. These preventable injuries occur because of things such as improperly stacked materials, failing to properly rig harnesses and equipment and vehicle strikes and malfunctions.
- Caught in/between injuries. Causing 2.5 percent of all construction site deaths, these injuries occur when a worker is caught in or between tools, machines, materials or equipment, causing a worker to be trapped and injured.
- Electrocution injuries. Almost 9 percent of all construction site fatal accidents involve electrocution. Exposed wiring, generators, electrical equipment and unfinished outlets can all pose a risk of electrocution to workers when proper safety precautions are not taken.
- Fall injuries. Causing more than one in three construction site accident deaths, fall injuries are the most common of the fatal four injuries. Preventable fall injuries are often the result of failing to use proper fall protection, causing a worker to fall off scaffolding, roofs and exposed beams or fall through an incomplete floor.
Whether from a fall, electrocution or another construction site hazard, most construction site accident injuries are very serious, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Electrical and chemical burns
- Broken and fractured bones
- Damage to internal organs
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Respiratory problems from exposure to toxic chemicals
- Cuts and lacerations
- Loss of limbs or digits
- Death
These serious injuries can be life-altering. The non-fatal injuries may require months of therapy and treatment, and some may result in permanent disfigurement and/or disability. In cases such as these, the experienced construction accident attorneys of Boyers Law Group can help you and your family secure the financial compensation you need now and in the future. If you lost a loved one because of a Florida construction site accident injury, we can advise you on your best path to justice and help you file a wrongful death claim.
Is a Miami Construction Site Accident Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Worker’s compensation is a no-fault system intended to compensate a worker injured on the job without the need to prove fault on the part of the employer. Florida employers in the construction industry with one or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance to pay injured employees’ claims.
While injuries sustained in a construction site accident should be covered by workers’ compensation, you might experience problems in trying to obtain the compensation to which you are entitled. You might also be able to pursue additional compensation. Before moving forward with any claim, it is, therefore, wise to consult an experienced Miami construction site accident attorney about your legal rights and options.
Can an Employer Be Held Legally Responsible for a Construction Site Accident Injury or Death?
When a construction site accident causes injury or death, the law typically restricts you to the compensation and benefits available under workers’ compensation. However, in certain instances, you may be able to pursue a traditional personal injury lawsuit. These instances include:
- The employer’s intentionally wrong conduct caused or contributed to the worker’s injuries. Personal injury lawsuits are allowed only when an employer deliberately injures an employee.
- A third party’s negligent or wrongful conduct caused or contributed to the accident. If a third party caused an employee’s work-related injury, the employee may sue the third party outside the Florida workers’ compensation system. Examples of potential third parties include:
- Owner of the property
- General contractor
- Subcontractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- Equipment maintenance providers
- Equipment leasing companies
Getting expert legal advice and experienced help before filing a claim can be very important when it comes to obtaining the financial compensation you deserve and need for the future. To protect your rights and get legal advice and help you can trust, call Boyers Law Group at 305-512-7600 or submit the “Tell Us What Happened” form on our website.
What Compensation Am I Entitled to in a Miami Construction Site Accident Lawsuit?
If your construction site injury is handled through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer, the amount of compensation you receive will be determined using existing workers’ compensation formulas. If, however, you pursue a personal injury lawsuit, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages (compensation) for things such as:
- Pain, suffering, mental anguish, and other subjective injuries.
- Lost wages, including past and future lost income.
- Medical expenses, including doctor, hospital, and specialist expenses.
- Rehabilitation and therapy, if needed.
- Psychological counseling and therapy for the trauma you experienced.
- Your family’s loss of your companionship, guidance and assistance.
- Other damages recoverable under Florida law.
If you lost a parent or child in a Miami construction site accident, you may also be entitled to compensation as a claimant in a Florida wrongful death lawsuit.
Why You Need an Experienced Miami Construction Site Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a preventable construction site accident, or a family member was killed in one, the party (or parties) responsible for your injuries or loss should be held accountable. Furthermore, you deserve to be compensated fully for all your injuries or for the loss you have suffered.
The best way to ensure that the at-fault party is identified and that you are compensated fairly is to work closely with an experienced Miami construction accident attorney. The Miami construction site accident attorneys at Boyers Law Group have more than twenty-five years of successful experience helping clients achieve the results they want, as well as the resources and dedication necessary to help you obtain the full, fair compensation you deserve for all your injuries.
We feel a deep sense of responsibility to each client because we know that if you come to us for help, you have been seriously injured or suffered an unimaginable loss. You deserve answers to your questions as well as the maximum compensation allowable under the law. We are committed to putting all of our experience, skill and resources to work for you.
Please call us at 305-512-7600 or submit the “Tell Us What Happened” form on our website to get started on your Miami construction site accident case.