Melbourne
Construction Accident Attorney

Consistently ranking among the top five fastest-growing states in the U.S., Florida’s local construction industry continues to expand. Complex machinery, heavy equipment, and dangerous heights are among the numerous factors that contribute to the level of danger on a construction worksite. With more projects and jobs available to workers in construction, the potential for construction site injuries also increases. Improper safety procedures and human error can make a construction job site even more perilous for those who work on them. If you’ve been hurt at the site and believe someone else’s negligence is to blame, call a Melbourne construction accident lawyer immediately to see if you have a case.

How negligence can be proven

Construction workers who are injured on the job in Brevard County due to someone else’s negligence may be entitled to receive compensation for their medical bills and lost wages. After an attorney files a lawsuit on their behalf, the injured party or parties may present evidence that the other party, identified as the defendant, behaved in a negligent manner that ultimately caused the accident and the resulting injury. Most accident victims would rather spend their downtime focusing their on recovery, and they generally lack the legal expertise required to successfully file a claim in court. Therefore, Melbourne construction workers who have been injured while working a construction job should immediately contact an attorney who specializes in injury and accident cases. If the accident victim is unable to call a lawyer, his or her family may contact an attorney to file a legal claim for compensation on the injured party’s behalf.

Common injuries on the construction site

Construction-related injuries are often the result of repetitive motions, failure to comply with safety measures, and basic, everyday mistakes like simply tripping over an object while walking. Injuries on construction job sites can be minor; however, the potential for more serious injury is heightened due to the hazardous nature of the work environment. Examples of injuries construction workers commonly report include:

• broken bones
• neck injuries
• shoulder injuries
• back injuries
• spinal cord injuries
• burns
• electric shock
• injuries caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals

Worker’s compensation

In Florida, if a person is injured at work, the injury is usually covered by worker’s compensation. Accident victims should be aware that receiving compensation as a result of filing a worker’s comp claim may bar the injured worker from filing a lawsuit to receive additional compensation. A worker’s comp award may not cover all of the individual’s injuries; therefore, injured workers should speak with an experienced attorney prior to seeking worker’s comp. An experienced Florida construction accident attorney can help accident victims determine the best way to proceed in the interest of receiving adequate compensation to cover the injured party’s medical bills, lost wages, and possibly other, intangible expenses.

Determining liability

Liability for injuries that take place on a construction site may be traced back to one or more parties. Each party generally plays a different role in maintaining the safety of a job site.

• Site owner: A site owner may be liable if a construction worker is injured due to a hazardous condition on the land. The site owner is at fault if he or she is aware of the potentially unsafe condition and does not take adequate steps to inform the workers or eliminate the hazard before the workers are placed at risk.
• Contractor: Contractors (and subcontractors) are responsible for providing a safe workplace. Therefore, a contractor may be liable if he or she is made aware of an unsafe situation and fails to ensure the hazard has bee eliminated prior to allowing access to workers. Contractors are also responsible for ensuring equipment is safe for worker use.
• Equipment manufacturer: A manufacturer may be at fault if job-related equipment malfunctions due to defective design and causes injury.
• Architects and engineers: An architect or engineer may be liable for injuries sustained in a construction accident if the accident is the result of a building design that is not up to code.

What should an injured worker do?

In the event of a construction accident, the most critical first steps are to seek medical attention and to notify a supervisor of the incident. Next, the injured worker should should seek legal counsel. Construction accident victims should contact an experienced Melbourne construction injury lawyer who has handled numerous Florida construction site accident cases and is knowledgeable of Florida’s workers compensation law. Upon calling a trustworthy law firm like Couture Law P.A., accident victims can expect to receive a free, confidential case evaluation followed by sound legal advice to help the injured decide how to proceed toward securing the compensation they deserve and continue on the road to physical and financial recovery.