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Orlando Construction Accident Attorneys

Construction sites are inherently hazardous environments given the presence of heavy machinery, power tools, bulky materials, and other dangerous implements. Not surprisingly, construction accidents are a common occurrence. While many construction accidents cause only minor injuries, others result in permanent disabilities and even death. If you were injured in an Orlando construction accident, or if you lost a loved one in a construction accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your physical injuries, emotional trauma, or loss.

A construction accident frequently leaves the victim facing financial hardship on top of struggling with physical and psychological injuries. Arranging medical care should be the priority; however, construction accident victims are often faced with the need to focus first on the legal aspects of the accident to determine who is responsible for covering the cost of that care. The Orlando construction accident attorneys at Bailey Fisher can help. We are committed to helping injured victims and surviving loved ones navigate the legal system to ensure that the party (or parties) responsible for the accident are held legally accountable. Moreover, we aggressively pursue all potential avenues of compensation on behalf of injured construction accident victims and loved ones of those who were fatally injured.

Common Orlando Construction Site Accident Causes

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workers in construction and extraction occupations experience the second highest number of fatal work site accidents each year, exceeded only by workers in transportation and material moving. On average, a worker is killed every hour and a half while on the job in the United States resulting in 5,486 fatalities in 2022. When a construction site accident causes a fatality, OSHA’s “Final Four” are the most common causes, including:

  • Fall Accidents: There are numerous opportunities for fall accidents on a construction site, including falls from ladders, falls from scaffolding, and falls into ditches. Causing one out of every three construction site deaths, fall accidents represent the largest number of “Fatal Four” fatalities each year. All too often, fall injuries are due to a failure to abide by legally mandated safety protocols.
  • “Struck by an Object” Accidents: Injuries caused by objects impacting a victim, often by swinging, exploding, or falling, are categorized as “struck by an object” accidents by OSHA. Failing to employ proper safety precautions, such as properly securing bulky materials or failing to prevent fire-related hazards can lead to “struck by an object” accidents.
  • Caught In/Between Accidents: Number three in OSHA’s “Fatal Four” are the “caught in/between” accidents. There are plenty of opportunities for a construction worker to be caught in or caught between things such as materials, tools, equipment, or dirt on a construction site, resulting in serious injuries and even death.
  • Electrocution Accidents: Electricity is typically found all around a construction site in the form of generators, extension cords, existing electrical wiring and outlets, or electrical wires being installed. Electrocution fatalities can occur when a worker comes into contact with exposed electrical wires or when electrical wires become overloaded.

Does Worker’s Compensation Cover Orlando Construction Site Accidents?

Workers’ compensation insurance covers employees who are injured while in the course of employment without regard to how or why the accident occurred. The goal of the no-fault workers’ compensation system is to provide a way for injured workers to receive medical treatment and wage replacement without having to prove that the employer’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident. State law governs which employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. In the State of Florida, the law requires construction industry employers that have one or more employees, including the owner of the business who are corporate officers or Limited Liability Company (LLC) members to have workers’ compensation coverage. In practice, this means that all construction workers who are classified as employers should be covered under an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy.

The benefit to being covered by workers’ compensation insurance is that you do not need to prove negligence or wrongdoing on the part of your employer to be entitled to benefits; however, workers’ compensation benefits will only cover 80 percent of covered medical bills and 60 percent of lost wages. Moreover, workers’ compensation benefits do not provide any compensation for the non-economic damages you may have experienced as a result of your injuries, such as pain and suffering, mental distress, or disfigurement.

Can I Pursue a Traditional Personal Injury Lawsuit for an Orlando Construction Site Accident?

Knowing that you may be entitled to some benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance is comforting, but those benefits may fall woefully short of fully compensating you for the physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship you suffered because of an Orlando construction site accident. Florida law limits workers to the benefits provided by the workers’ compensation system unless:

  • The employer’s intentionally wrongful conduct caused or contributed to the worker’s injuries.
  • A third party’s negligent or wrongful conduct caused or contributed to the accident.

As a construction worker, you likely understand the dynamic and complex nature of a construction site. There are frequently numerous sub-contractors operating on the site at the same time along with a general contractor, material suppliers, equipment suppliers, and supervisors/managers on the property. If any of these parties caused or contributed to the accident that resulted in your injuries, you could be entitled to pursue compensation from that party (or parties) in a traditional personal injury lawsuit. The complicated nature of many construction site accidents and the potential applicability of “workers’ compensation immunity” under Florida Statutes Chapter 440 make it all the more important that you consult with an Orlando construction site accident attorney to discuss your legal options if you were injured in an accident.

Get Help from Experienced Orlando Construction Site Accident Attorneys

A construction site accident can leave the victim suffering financially as well as physically. If you were injured in an Orlando construction site accident, or you lost a loved one to a fatal accident, you could be entitled to more than worker’s compensation benefits. You may be eligible to pursue a third party for compensation if that party’s negligence contributed to the accident that caused your injuries or resulted in the death of your loved one. The Orlando construction accident attorneys at Bailey Fisher have the experience, resources, and dedication to seek justice on your behalf and make sure that you receive the maximum compensation available.

Call us at 407-628-2929 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Orlando construction accident attorneys will evaluate your case for free. For viable personal injury cases, we will follow up with the necessary legal action to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence and recover the financial compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and losses.

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