Florida construction sites are host to a flurry of activity. Property owners, tenants, contractors, and numerous subcontractors, all working together in a limited amount of space, struggling to make tight deadlines – all too often this is a recipe for disaster. Working construction is a tough job under the best of circumstances. And it is also one of the most dangerous jobs in America.
Not only are Florida construction accidents shockingly common, but the resulting injuries have the potential to be more severe than other types of workplace accidents, and can easily leave victims with long-term or permanent disabilities, making them unable to provide for themselves and their families.
If you have been seriously injured while working in this field, our team of Orlando construction accident attorneys at Morgan & Morgan can help get you the compensation you need to carry on and ensure your rights are protected. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.
Why is Construction So Dangerous?
No one can deny that construction is a dangerous line of work, but the statistics are truly shocking. One in five workplace deaths in our country involved construction industry workers, according to 2014 data collected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Even for the most cautious professional construction workers in Florida, construction sites present an abundance of hazards that can bring about serious injury if any party involved shows anything less than the utmost caution:
- Defective or poorly designed construction equipment
- Faulty fall protection or other safety equipment
- Unguarded ledges
- Negligent operation of construction vehicles
- Violations of OSHA regulations
- Falling loads and debris
- Electrical accidents
Further, construction workers are not the only ones who can suffer serious injuries as the result of an Orlando construction accident. Non-construction workers working in close proximity to construction sites as well as members of the general public can also be at risk.
Why You Need Representation if You Have Been Injured in a Florida Construction Accident
Injuries stemming from construction accidents in Florida can be very difficult to investigate and ultimately litigate. This is because there are frequently numerous property owners, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, equipment manufactures and other parties involved, each of whom will attempt to blame one of the others for any injuries they cause.
Without aggressive representation from a seasoned Orlando construction site injury lawyer, the resulting smokescreen can make it all but impossible to hold the responsible parties to account.
While Florida workers’ compensation law provides valuable benefits to workers injured on the construction job site, the benefits available to injured workers are limited.
While a civil suit can generally provide more complete compensation for serious Florida construction site injuries, employers and general contractors are generally immune from suit for work-related injuries to employees.
But this does not mean that Orlando construction workers injured on the job are without recourse in court. Non-immune parties such as other subcontractors, suppliers or equipment manufacturers may have contributed to their injuries.
Furthermore, workers who think of themselves as employees may in fact be independent contractors not bound by the employer immunity provided under Florida law. An experienced Orlando construction accident attorney can examine all these possibilities to see if any apply.
Consult an Attorney at Morgan & Morgan to Protect Your Rights
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Florida construction site accident, you may not need to settle for workers compensation alone.
The attorneys of Morgan & Morgan understand the complexities of construction site litigation and have had great success cutting through the smokescreen that contractors, subcontractors and other involved parties all too frequently create.
Our legal team may be able to help. Call us today at 877.667.4265 or contact us online to have your case evaluated by an Orlando construction site accident attorney without cost or obligation.