In Florida, there is never a shortage of construction. Unlike other parts of the country where winter weather halts the majority of outdoor development, the Sunshine State often sees construction continue year-round. While this provides a plethora of jobs and opportunities to the local economy, it also puts employees and residents at an increased possibility for construction site accidents.

Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction sites are rarely at a standstill. Multiple projects can keep a site busy and constantly in motion, and larger sites may have hundreds of workers present at a time. Employers and industry standards try to ensure worker safety, but construction worksite accidents still occur due to a variety of reasons. Employer negligence, unsafe working conditions, improper use of cautionary signs, inattentive machine operators, overworked employees, defective parts, machine malfunctions, and many other things can turn a typical construction site into a hazardous area.

If your employer or a co-worker is found at-fault for your injury, it can create a sticky situation as many of our clients fear repercussion should they sue for compensation. We’ll take a look at your case and determine if third-party liability is at play and what your options are so that we can do what’s right for you.

Construction is a lucrative industry, and it provides thousands of jobs for our Florida residents. But it can also be a dangerous industry, and we want to stand up for those who can no longer do the work they love due to a construction site accident.

Construction Site Accidents

Employees who are injured on-site may go through the most difficult experience of their lives. Wrongful termination and lost wages can create a financial situation from which can seem impossible to recover. But at Warner, Sechrest & Butts, P.A., our Gainesville attorneys are dedicated to helping workers receive compensation for their on-site injuries.

Mounting medical bills, covering everything from treatment and emergency procedures to rehabilitation and follow-up treatment, can be overwhelming for anyone, especially if you are unable to work. And of course, the rest of your world doesn’t end when your finances do, so you may find yourself struggling to support your family, feed your children, and pay your monthly bills, including electricity, gas, water and rent/mortgage. All of this can lead to depression and emotional distress as you wonder how you’ll be able to manage.

If you’ve been injured in a site accident, know that you may be eligible to receive compensation. Depending on the reason for your injuries, and whether someone has been found at fault, you could receive workers’ compensation, Social Security disability benefits, or pursue a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit.

Don’t give up hope in this complicated and stressful time. Contact our construction site accident attorneys to provide you with the counsel, guidance and representation you need when it counts the most.

Leading Causes of Construction Worker Deaths

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), there are four leading causes of construction worker fatalities:

• Falls
• Struck by an object
• Electrocutions
• Caught-in/between

These types of construction on-site accidents accounted for 58.7 percent of workers’ deaths in America — that’s 468 lives — in 2013 alone.

OSHA’s Top 10 Most-Cited Violations in 2014

OSHA has released a list of the safety violations most cited by the administration in 2014.

1. Fall protection
2. Hazard communication standard
3. Scaffolding
4. Respiratory protection
5. Powered industrial trucks
6. Control of hazardous energy (tagout/lockout)
7. Ladders
8. Electrical
9. Machine and machinery guarding
10. Electrical systems design

Contact a Gainesville Attorney Immediately

When a workplace accident occurs, it’s important to seek medical attention and gain representation immediately. Even if you don’t think your injury is severe, it’s best to let a doctor make that decision. You may have a concussion or one of several other serious injuries with less noticeable symptoms. It’s also best to have a record confirming that you sought medical attention and documenting your injuries. These records can be used as evidence later for your workers’ compensation claim, Social Security disability claim, or any other legal hearings or cases.

At Warner, Sechrest & Butts, we also recommend seeking representation early. Fatal construction injuries or the death of a loved one can wreak emotional havoc on a person. Our construction accident attorneys are available to help you through it all. We have the experience to help you file your claims and answer questions to the appropriate federal agencies in on your behalf. This can help reduce the possibility of a delay of benefits. And if your claim is denied benefits, then we can guide you through the appeals process more quickly as we’ll already be familiar with your situation.