Construction jobs are one of the most dangerous in the U.S., and accidents are continually on the rise. As a result, cases involving construction workers are common in Miami. If you have recently been injured on the job and you want to file a lawsuit, contact a construction accident lawyer in Miami at A to Z Injury Law. 

In this article, we look at the legal actions you can take if you are a construction worker who was recently injured on the job.

Who can file a claim? 

It’s more common for frontline construction workers to file a claim, as they are most likely to be injured on the job. However, anyone who works on a construction site and was injured on duty, including supervisors, can file a personal injury claim. 

Individuals who do not work at the company but were somehow injured on the construction site can also contact a construction accident lawyer in Miami and file a personal injury claim.

What is worker’s compensation? 

Workers’ compensation is a form of business insurance that includes medical and wage benefits for workers who were injured or became ill on the job. Workers’ comp can help cover medical care, lost wages, and more.

Workers’ comp is a no-fault system. Even if the employer was negligent, if the employee receives workers’ compensation, s/he cannot sue the employer for the work-related injury. Workers’ comp is a guaranteed payment for your injuries, and employees receive it quickly.

There are situations when workers’ compensation isn’t enough. 

For example, the employer may not have any or enough workers’ comp insurance coverage to cover your medical expenses. There are other instances where the injury was caused by an employer’s gross negligence, with a high possibility of the accident occurring again. 

Or you suffered from an injury caused by another employee or someone who doesn’t work for your employer. In these cases, you may wish to file a personal injury claim with a construction accident lawyer in Miami. 

However, if your injury was minor and workers’ comp coverage can handle all your expenses, you should reconsider filing a personal injury claim. If you decide to go through with it, the attorneys at A to Z Injury law will review your case and begin negotiations to get you the compensation you deserve.

Determining Fault

If you were injured on a construction site, it isn’t enough to have the injury – you must also prove fault. Most companies are prepared to defend their actions and will have a legal team to make it look as though you were at fault. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still file a personal injury claim if your employer is also responsible for the injury. Common situations that can cause an injury are:

• Unsafe work environment
• Malfunctioning operating equipment
• Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) violations, such as lack of fall protection on elevated surfaces

An important role of a construction accident attorney in Miami is to collect evidence. This includes collecting statements from eyewitnesses and taking pictures of the accident scene before it was cleaned up. As a result, it’s important to contact A to Z Injury Law as quickly as possible. 

Why A to Z Injury Law 

When you have been in an accident, it’s important to contact an experienced attorney. You should never make statements to insurance companies before hiring an attorney, as this could be used against you as the case proceeds.

At A to Z Injury Law, our team has years of experience dealing with construction accidents and other personal injury cases. By working with experts, we build the strongest possible case of negligence against your employer or any other party who is responsible for your injury. We can help you collect damages, such as:  

• Lost wages
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

An experienced construction accident lawyer in Miami will gather the required evidence to help you win your case. 

If you or someone you know is in need of a construction lawyer in Miami, look no further than A to Z Injury Law. We will prove that the accident was not an act of negligence on your part, and ensure the negligent party is responsible.

As someone in the construction industry, you’re aware of the risks associated with your job. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 20 percent of all worker-related fatalities in the U.S. are from construction. Studies reveal that thousands of construction workers are injured each year in Florida. Construction sites are high-risk due to the nature of the job. Nevertheless, accidents can be avoided if you know the most common hazards of the job and what to do to prevent injuries. Keep reading to learn more.

5 Common Construction Accidents

Because construction sites are considered “high risk” sites, there are many ways a worker can potentially get into an accident. Some accidents have been cited more than others, but in general, the most common types of accidents can include:

Falls from heights/slip and falls: Many construction workers do their jobs at high locations, such as rooftops, and the top of ladders. This can lead to serious falls and is the number one cause of construction accidents. Slip and falls from objects on the ground are also common and can produce broken bones and sprains. 

Machinery: Dangerous machinery is necessary to complete projects but it can lead to serious injuries on the job. Oftentimes, the machinery malfunctions or workers may not handle the machinery properly. 

Common machinery that can cause accidents are jackhammers, bulldozers, cranes, nail guns, and other power tools. Motorized vehicles can also lead to risk, particularly when used incorrectly. 

Fallen debris: With ongoing construction, it’s common for debris, such as scaffolding to unexpectedly fall from high locations, injuring workers below. Even with all the extra safety headgear workers are required to wear, these injuries are severe and can have a lasting impact on your brain’s health.

Electrocutions: Exposed wires and the use of electrical equipment are common during construction and can lead to electrocutions. 

Forklifts: Forklifts can be a challenge to operate and maneuver throughout a construction site. Because they are almost always used on construction jobs, workers are often at risk of being seriously injured by forklifts. Though some injuries may be caused by user-error, equipment does malfunction and it can lead to injury.

Unfortunately, accidents don’t begin and end here. There are many other ways construction workers can be injured on the job. Although accidents are sometimes unavoidable, there are precautions you can take to prevent serious injury. 

How to Avoid Accidents

Proper Training: The first step to preventing accidents is to provide safety training. All employees should be fully trained in safety protocol and the potential hazards of the job. If the worker is not qualified to handle certain equipment, such as a forklift or jackhammer, they shouldn’t operate it. It’s a good idea to have daily meetings to remind your workers of the risks associated with the job and the importance of safety practices. It also wouldn’t hurt to make them provide poof up up-to-date training. 

Wear Protective Clothing: Construction workers should always wear the appropriate gear for every job and employers must enforce this. This includes hard hats, goggles, gloves, steel-toed shoes, and high-visibility clothes. Never take protective clothing for granted while on the job, as it can lead to serious accidents or even death. 

Use Serviceable Equipment: It’s important to know that the equipment you’re using is in a good working order and will not malfunction and put you at risk. Ensure all equipment is serviceable before using it.   

Use Caution: As a construction worker, you know how dangerous your job can be. Because of this, apply caution in everything you do. Be aware of the visible hazards and anything that’s potentially dangerous. Don’t try to cut corners or take important things for granted, like wearing protective clothing. 

Contact A to Z with Any Legal Questions or Concerns!

Consult with a construction accident attorney in Miami if you have been injured on the job. You may receive more than your worker’s compensation in damages. Our attorneys have years of experience dealing with a variety of accident and injury cases such as this, and we won’t charge you a fee until we win your case.