Palm Beach Gardens Construction Accident Lawyer
Anyone can become injured while they are at work but for construction workers, the risk is much higher. Construction workers often perform employment duties at great heights, they must work with dangerous equipment, and they encounter many other hazards every day. When an accident occurs, it usually results in catastrophic and even life-threatening injuries. Workers often cannot return to the job site and sometimes, they may never be able to return to the same line of work again.
If you or someone you love has been hurt, it is important to know that you have legal options. Below, our Palm Beach Gardens construction accident lawyer outlines what those are.
What Causes Construction Accidents?
Safety violations are a common cause of construction accidents, regardless of the fact that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines very clear guidelines and safety protocols. Common safety violations include lack of training, failure to maintain a safe job site, and improper use of safety equipment. However, safety violations are not the only cause of construction accidents. Others include:
- Collapsed structures
- Defective equipment
- Electrocutions
- Falls
- Fires
- Crane accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Falling objects
- Explosions
- Heavy machinery accidents
Any of the above injuries can result in the most serious types of injuries and even wrongful death.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims After a Construction Accident
It is possible to obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and sometimes other losses after a construction accident. In most cases, it is workers’ compensation that provides these benefits.
As in all states, the workers’ compensation system in Florida is no-fault. This means that if you have been hurt, you can file a claim. You do not need to prove that someone else was at fault, and it does not matter if you caused or contributed to the accident. Workers’ compensation will cover 100 percent of your reasonable medical expenses and two-thirds of your average weekly wages. You can file a workers’ compensation claim if you were injured while performing duties within the scope of your employment.
If someone else caused your accident and they are not connected to your employer, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against them. For example, if you were injured by a piece of defective equipment, you can file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer.
Obtaining compensation through a personal injury claim is sometimes more challenging because you must prove someone else was at fault, which requires an investigation and collection of evidence. However, if you are successful with your claim, you can obtain more in compensation than what is available through workers’ comp. For example, you can pursue damages for pain and suffering and other losses that are not available through workers’ compensation.
Our Construction Accident Lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens Can Provide Sound Legal Advice
Our Palm Beach Gardens construction accident lawyer at Smith, Ball, Baez & Prather knows the serious injuries that result from construction accidents. We can advise on which type of claim you should file and give you the best chance of success with whatever legal path is right for you. Call or text us now at 561-500-HELP to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.
