Orlando Construction Site Accident Attorneys
Despite a seemingly endless number of state and federal rules and regulations aimed at keeping workers safe, accidents often occur on construction sites, leaving victims with severe, even fatal, injuries. Those physical injuries frequently cause lasting pain and emotional trauma, as well as long-term financial hardship for the victim and his or her family.
All too often, the physical and emotional injuries sustained in a construction site accident are the result of negligent or wrongful conduct by another party. When that is the case, the injured party may be entitled to file a personal injury claim and obtain compensation. At Bailey Fisher, we are dedicated to helping those who have been injured in a construction site accident by making sure the negligent party is held accountable and the injured victim is fully compensated for medical expenses, lost income, pain, and suffering.
Common Construction Accidents
The number of moving parts it takes to keep a typical construction site running smoothly is truly mind-boggling. At any given time, you might see powerful cranes, giant earth-movers, smaller forklifts, and lots of workers weaving their way through the chaos. When this loosely-choregraphed dance of people and machines runs smoothly, the end result can be fairly amazing. Unfortunately, however, the sheer number of machines and people found on a construction site means that accidents do happen.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are approximately 150,000 construction site accidents each year across the United States. The following “Fatal Four” are responsible for over half of all of these fatal construction accidents:
- Falls — Falls can occur from any height; however, falls from scaffolding are particularly dangerous. Scaffolding can collapse or a worker’s safety harness can malfunction, causing the worker to fall from a significant height. In 2017, falls caused 381 out of 971 (or 39.2 %) of all construction site fatalities.
- Struck by Object — At any given construction site, you will likely find an endless supply of handheld tools and materials, any of which can turn into a projectile weapon and strike someone. In 2017, 80 construction worker deaths were attributable to being struck by an object.
- Electrocution — People who are installing new electrical lines or repairing existing lines can be electrocuted under a variety of circumstances. Just over seven percent of fatal construction site accidents involved electrocution in 2017.
- Caught in-between — Causing 50 fatal accidents in 2017, this type of accident includes accidents involving a worker who is caught-in or compressed by equipment or objects, and struck, caught, or crushed in a collapsing structure, equipment, or material.
Other types of construction site accidents that may cause serious injuries include:
- Crane accidents. — Cranes are frequently used to lift material several floors up to the top of a construction site. An unbalanced load, improperly maintained cables, or operator error can cause the load to come crashing to the ground, injuring anyone in the vicinity.
- Hazardous gas, liquid, or environmental factors — A construction site may have gas lines that pose a risk of explosion as well as numerous other hazardous types of gas and liquids that could be inhaled or come into contact with a someone’s skin. Asbestos and mold also pose a significant risk to people on a construction site
- Defective machinery or equipment — Even a relatively small defect in a piece of construction machinery has the potential to cause severe harm if it results in the machinery malfunctioning.
- Falling objects — A common cause of construction site injuries is a falling object. Even a seemingly harmless object down on the ground can become a deadly projectile when dropped from several stories.
- Cave-ins — Trenches are often part of the construction process. When a trench caves in, people can be trapped underneath.
Compensation in a Construction Site Accident
Construction site accidents are treated somewhat differently than other injury accidents because of the existence of the workers’ compensation system. Workers’ compensation is intended to provide an efficient system for workers to receive compensation for job-related injuries without the need to prove fault on the part of an employer.
While the workers’ compensation system does typically result in a faster route to compensation for the victim of an accident, it is a limited remedy and applies only when the accident is attributable to the employer or fellow employees, and not to third parties who are not subject to the exclusive remedy provisions of the workers’ compensation law (also referred to as “workers’ compensation immunity”). Workers’ compensation only provides an injured worker with a percentage of his/her lost wages and does not offer any compensation for the pain and suffering an injured victim has experienced. Nevertheless, if a construction worker is covered by workers’ compensation, certain procedures must be followed after an accident to preserve the worker’s right to benefits.
If a worker’s injuries are serious or were fatal, and were caused by the negligence of parties who are not subject to the exclusive remedy provisions of the worker’s compensation act, it may be possible to pursue a civil claim above and beyond that provided by the workers’ compensation system. In such circumstances, filing a traditional personal injury lawsuit is often the only way for a victim to be fully compensated. We know how to evaluate construction site accidents and can advise you regarding your rights under Florida law.
Get Help from Experienced Orlando Construction Site Accident Attorneys
The construction site accident attorneys at Bailey Fisher have extensive experience in helping people injured on construction sites and other personal injury cases. We bring a strong sense of commitment to helping people who have suffered serious, often life-changing injuries due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a construction site accident, we want to help you hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence and make sure you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Call us at 407-628-2929 or submit our online form today for a free case evaluation. One of our experienced Orlando construction site accident attorneys will listen closely to what happened and advise you on your best course of action. 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.