Construction Accidents

Construction workers keep America growing and moving. They repair our highways, build our homes and offices, and create and maintain our recreational areas. But they also put themselves at risk of a variety of serious injuries, and even death, every time they are on the job.

Construction is, by its nature, a dangerous profession. The negligent acts of workers, foremen, manufacturers and others can make this job far riskier than it needs to be. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident at a construction site, you probably wonder if the accident could have been prevented, or if anyone else could be responsible for your injuries. Contacting an experienced personal injury attorney is the first step you should take towards answering these questions.

Fort Lauderdale Construction Accident Attorneys

The attorneys at Levine & Glassman, P.A., can help you answer your most difficult questions. They can help you assess whether your accident was the result of another person’s negligence and whether you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our attorneys will give your case the utmost in attention and care.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, call us today at (954) 332-6100 or fill out our online case evaluation form to schedule your free consultation.

Construction Accident Information Center

• Who might be responsible for accidents that occur at a construction site?
• What kind of injuries might result from a construction accident?
• What kinds of construction accidents are most common?
• What is OSHA?
• What is Worker’s Compensation?
• Where can I find more information on construction accidents?
• How can Levine & Glassman, P.A., help me?

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Possible Liable Parties

Most construction projects involve lots of different agencies and people working together. The presence of all of these different parties can make it difficult to determine who is at fault for an accident. Your Florida Personal Injury Attorney will want to investigate all of the different people and agencies involved to determine who might be responsible for your injury.

In most cases, the construction project is undertaken by a general contractor, who then hires many subcontractors to work on various phases of the project. Usually, the general contractor and the subcontractors are both responsible for providing workers with a safe workplace and warning workers of any potential hazards. The general contractor will be responsible for making sure that work is being performed safely on the entire worksite, for the entire duration of the project. The subcontractors will be responsible for ensuring safety during their phase(s) of the project, but the general contractor has overall responsibility for the entire project.

Other people or entities that are involved in the process – and might have some responsibility for insuring worker safety – include the owner of the construction site, architects and engineers, the construction managers or foremen, other construction workers, the injured worker, and the manufacturers of the equipment used by the workers.

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Injuries from Construction Accidents

Some common worksite accidents and injuries include:

• Falls, which can lead to internal injuries, broken bones, and paralysis
• Electrocution
• Burns, scalding, or chemical burns
• Trauma (for example, having your hand hit by a hammer or having a heavy object dropped on you)
• Exposure to asbestos or toxic chemicals
• Damage to the ears, including deafness, due to loud noises
• Head injuries
• Death

The injuries from construction accidents can be very severe. In many cases victims are unable to work, at least temporarily. In some cases victims are permanently disabled. You should talk to your attorney about the injuries you have suffered, what kind of pain you experienced, and what kind of expenses or financial strain your family has been subjected to as a result of your injury.

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Types of Construction Accidents

Given the wide range of conditions construction workers deal with, there are a number of different ways things can go wrong on site. Every construction accident is potentially dangerous, especially that extremely heavy machinery is being used to move extremely heavy objects, electrical and gas systems haven't been fully equipped and protected, and workers are often focused on their task at hand. Know how things may go wrong could help you avoid an accident before it happens.

Some of the most common types of construction accident include:

• Fires and explosions
• Electrocution from exposed wires or overhead power line contact
• Falls from ladders or scaffolding
• Defective scaffolding
• Falls down an elevator shaft
• Improperly marked / neglected holes in flooring
• Run over by machinery
• Struck by motorist
• Welding accidents / arc burn accidents
• Defective construction equipment
• Structure failure / building collapse
• Supervisor negligence
• Forklift accidents
• Crane accidents
• Air compressor malfunction / explosion

Any one of these incidents could seriously injure a construction worker, which is why standards for health and safety on the job were implemented were implemented through the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

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OSHA

OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is in charge of enforcing this federal law. Most states have also adopted safety regulations of their own. Some general and subcontractors have also adopted their own safety regulations for their worksites. All of these different regulations are in place to assure that workers are provided with a safe workplace and equipment.

You should tell you attorney about all of the specifics of your worksite and accident. Your attorney can use this information to assess whether any of the federal, state or company regulations were being violated, and whether this contributed to your accident.

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Workers' Compensation Laws

Workers' compensation laws are in place to provide workers with compensation if they are injured on-the-job, while protecting their employers from court actions. If a worker is injured, he will receive pay on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Meanwhile, he will not be able to sue his employer for his injuries, and the employer will never have a finding of fault levied against him in court.

Whether you are an injured worker or an employer, our attorneys can help you decide if workers' compensation laws apply to your situation. Our attorneys can help you assess all of your options to receiving the compensation you need to protect yourself and your family.

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Construction Accident Resources

Florida Department of Financial Services - Workers' compensation information for employers and employees.

OSHA - The Occupation Safety and Health Administration’s Website

Safety Works - Tips on creating a safer workplace, which are applicable to any state

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How We Can Help

If you have been injured on a construction site, you should contact the attorneys at Levine & Glassman, P.A., immediately for a free consultation. Our attorneys will assess whether your injuries were the result of another person’s actions, whether Workers' compensation or federal laws apply to your situation, and what kind of compensation you deserve. Our attorneys will take the time to answer your questions. We will give your case the attention it deserves and fight to get you every dollar you are entitled to.

Levine & Glassman, P.A., represents clients in Southeast Florida, including Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties and the surrounding areas. If you have been injured, call us at (954) 332-6100 or fill out our online case evaluation form. Your time to file your claim is limited, so contact our attorneys today.