Construction work results in more worker fatalities than any other industry in the United States, with over 1,000 workers dying annually and thousands more suffering life-altering injuries. At Smith Feddeler & Smith, P.A., our decades of representing injured construction workers show that many of these tragedies are preventable when employers follow proper safety protocols.
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, contact Smith Feddeler & Smith, P.A., your trusted construction accident lawyer, at (863) 688-7766 for a free consultation.
Falls: The Leading Killer in Construction
Falls account for nearly 40 percent of all construction fatalities, making them the deadliest hazard facing construction workers. These accidents are preventable when employers provide proper fall protection equipment and follow OSHA safety standards.
Types of Construction Falls:
- Falls from Heights: Scaffolding collapses, ladder accidents, and roof incidents
- Same-Level Falls: Slip and fall accidents on cluttered work sites and wet surfaces
- Falls Through Openings: Workers falling through holes when protective barriers aren’t installed
- Falls from Equipment: Accidents involving cranes, forklifts, and heavy machinery
OSHA requires fall protection when workers are six feet or higher above lower levels. Our workers’ compensation lawyers have a proven track record of success, including securing $539,750 for a worker who fell off a ladder and $456,697 for a mechanic who fell from scaffolding after an electrical burst.
Struck-By Incidents: When Objects Become Weapons
Struck-by accidents are the second leading cause of construction deaths, occurring when workers are hit by falling objects, moving equipment, or vehicles.
Common Struck-By Accidents:
- Falling Objects: Tools, materials, and debris falling from heights
- Moving Vehicles: Workers struck by dump trucks and construction equipment
- Heavy Equipment: Cranes, excavators, and machinery striking workers
- Flying Debris: Particles from power tools and demolition work
Our workers’ compensation attorneys have secured significant recoveries for workers in struck-by cases, including a $275,000 settlement for a welder hit by falling iron and an $835,000 recovery for a worker injured in a septic tank collapse.
Electrocution: A Deadly Construction Hazard
Electrical accidents cause approximately 8 percent of construction deaths, often resulting from contact with overhead power lines, defective equipment, or inadequate lockout/tagout procedures.
Common Electrical Hazards:
- Power Line Contact: Cranes, scaffolding, and ladders contacting overhead lines
- Defective Equipment: Damaged cords and missing ground fault circuit interrupters
- Wet Conditions: Electrical work in damp environments without protection
- Inadequate Lockout/Tagout: Failure to properly shut off electrical systems
OSHA requires specific electrical safety measures, including ground fault protection and proper grounding. Electrocution accidents result in severe burns, cardiac damage, and neurological injuries. Our firm secured $456,697 for a mechanic who suffered electrical burns and fall injuries.
Caught-In Accidents: Excavation and Equipment Dangers
Caught-in accidents occur when workers become trapped in or between equipment, structures, or materials.
Types of Caught-In Accidents:
- Excavation Cave-Ins: Trench collapses when employers ignore OSHA protective requirements
- Equipment Entanglement: Workers caught in moving machinery without proper safeguards
- Crushing Incidents: Being trapped between equipment and structures
- Material Storage Failures: Workers buried under improperly stored materials
Our experience is diverse when it comes to equipment dangers and include securing $625,000 for an accident that happened at a construction site. However, all accidents are unique to the individual involved and require time and effort evaluating and determining how best to serve the injured worker’s needs.
Chemical Exposure and Heat-Related Illnesses
Construction workers face daily exposure to dangerous substances, including asbestos, silica dust, lead paint, and chemical solvents. These exposures cause immediate injury and long-term health problems like mesothelioma and respiratory disease.
Florida’s extreme temperatures create additional risks, with heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and kidney problems threatening workers when heat indices exceed 100 degrees. Your initial heat stroke or heat exhaustion may require more than just an initial hospital visit or one-time trip to Urgent Care. Treatments can vary in length and your return-to-work status will also vary depending on the severity of your condition.
Compensation Available After Construction Workplace Injuries
Construction accidents are rarely simple “accidents.” Most result from preventable safety violations, inadequate training, or corporate decisions that prioritize profits over worker safety.
Multiple Compensation Options:
- Workers’ Compensation: Provides medical care and partial wage replacement regardless of fault
- Personal Injury Claims: Available when third parties like general contractors or equipment manufacturers contribute to accidents
- OSHA Violations: Safety violations provide strong evidence of negligence in personal injury cases
Florida law requires you to report workplace injuries within 30 days and file workers’ compensation claims within two years. Personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident (changed from four years in March 2023). Missing these deadlines can forfeit your rights to compensation.
Contact Our Construction Accident Lawyers Today
At Smith Feddeler & Smith, P.A., we’re passionate, not quick to settle, because we’re in it for the long haul. Insurance companies know we’ll take cases all the way to trial, giving us unmatched negotiating power. With decades of experience and a long-standing history of helping injured workers throughout Florida, our experienced construction accident attorneys fight for maximum compensation.
Call (863) 688-7766 or contact us online for a free consultation with trusted construction accident attorneys.
