Why You Need a Lawyer for a Construction Site Accident Claim in Florida

There’s no way of getting around it – working in construction is dangerous. Wearing hard hats and watching where you’re stepping are clear and essential ways to reduce your risk of suffering an injury, but the truth is that you have no way of knowing for sure that you won’t get hurt in some way while you’re on the job. That’s why thousands of construction site accident claims, asking for compensation to cover medical expenses and time lost while off the job, are filed every year in Florida. If you work in construction, know what the risks are and what types of accidents can occur – and ultimately, consider having a lawyer in your corner in case you do need to file a claim. 

What kinds of accidents occur?

Working in construction comes with numerous hazards, the first of which is particularly relevant for those working on housing projects or repairing roofs: falling. Whether you slip and fall or trip over an object in your path, broken bones and concussions are common injuries reported on construction sites. Furthermore, falling objects are a danger as well, especially when you are working on a site with multiple stories. 

Equipment-related accidents occur when the heavy machine equipment used at many construction sites fails or malfunctions, like a nail gun that misfires and causes an injury to your hand. You are also at risk of being run over or backed over by large vehicles, causing injuries such as broken bones and fractures. 

Fires and explosions are another common accident seen among construction workers, and accident claims citing burns, blindness, or respiratory damage from smoke come up often. Chemical injuries and illnesses, including lead poisoning, occur when companies do not perform adequate testing to make sure that they are not putting their employees in danger of exposure to these harmful materials. 

Also, people working in construction sometimes develop a chronic respiratory illness caused by high levels of dust inhalation.  This is seen often in coal miners and others who work in environments with poor air quality. 

Finally, injuries and illnesses caused by overexertion and stress – including muscle and joint damage, heatstroke, and repetitive motion injuries – are commonly reported in accident claims. 

Why should I have a lawyer? 

An attorney will not only advise you on whether or not to file a claim for worker’s compensation insurance, but will guide you through the entire process from start to finish. When the at-fault party fights back, your attorney will be there to argue your case in court and support your right to fair compensation.