Last month provided several examples of the serious personal safety issues that can arise with construction site work.
Construction Worker Falls from Crane on Dolphin Expressway
First, a construction worker fell from a crane on the Dolphin Expressway one morning, near the Northwest 37th Avenue overpass. A Miami fire department official stated that the man fell a total of 30 feet from a crane that was attached to a flatbed truck. The worker was using the crane’s controls on the side of the truck when it suddenly fell over, throwing him off of the overpass. As he fell, thankfully he did not fall into the flow of traffic below. The man was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his critical condition.
The area where the accident occurred is currently under construction, as Miami-Dade Transit is working to add an additional lane in both directions on the Dolphin Expressway.
Construction Worker Falls 10 Stores from Hotel under Construction
Just 10 or so days later, another terrible accident happened when a different construction worker reportedly fell some 10 stories from the Versailles Hotel in Miami Beach. The man, who may have been working on the redevelopment of the 16 story hotel property into condominiums, died as a result of the fall.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will reportedly investigate the accident, in order to determine what may have led to the terrible accident.
On the same day, in an unrelated incident, a third construction worker fell off of a scaffold at a high rise construction side in Sunny Isles Beach. Fortunately, he was able to avoid injury thanks to a safety harness.
Increased Construction Leads to Increased Risk of Accidents
When an employee suffers an injury at the workplace, they generally have the ability to seek compensation for their injuries through the means of a worker’s compensation program. However, worker’s compensation benefits are often limited, and many times do not fully compensate individuals fully. Additionally, Florida law requires that employers provide worker’s compensation insurance for their employees. Thus, for those individuals working for a contractor or subcontractor that are not employees, worker’s compensation benefits may not even be an option. Furthermore, even when these benefits are available, they do not cover injuries that are the result of the negligent acts of third parties.
Depending on the facts of the case, if an individual suffers a construction site related injury due to someone else’s negligence, that injured party may be able to pursue compensation from whomever was responsible for the accident. Potentially responsible negligent third parties could include general contractors, property owners, construction managers, developers, engineers or architects.
Additionally, if injury occurs due to an equipment malfunction, a claim could potentially be brought against the manufacturer of the tool in question. These devices may include safety harnesses or other safety equipment, scaffolds, nail guns, ladders, lifts and other heavy equipment.
If you’ve been injured working on a construction site in Miami or its surrounding areas, it is important to seek a Florida construction accident attorney promptly. An attorney can assist you in identifying and pursuing all potential sources of compensation for your personal injuries and any other related damages. The construction accidents lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz, P.A. offer a complimentary initial consultation to learn about your case and discuss potential legal strategies. Contact us today in order to learn what your options are.
Read More:
Florida Court of Appeals Calls for New Trial in Motorcycle Accident Case, Miami Injury Lawyer Blog, published October 31, 2017
String of Crime on Miami Beach Prompts Early Closure, Miami Injury Lawyer Blog, published October 30, 2017