Tampa Construction Injuries Lawyer
There are inherent risks in any occupation, but workers in some industries are more prone to workplace accidents than others. Construction, in particular, can be one of the most hazardous jobs because the work environment is constantly changing. New equipment, crews, and contractors arrive on the site every day. Data compiled by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reveals that just over 21 percent of worker fatalities in 2016 were in the construction industry.
At Barbas Nuñez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian, our Tampa workers’ compensation attorneys have seen how construction injuries impact victims and their entire families. We are dedicated to helping you navigate the complicated workers’ compensation system in Florida, so you can start collecting the benefits you deserve as soon as possible. Our lawyers have more than six decades of experience assisting injured construction workers in Hillsborough County and throughout the Tampa Bay region. Please contact our firm at 813-279-2686 to set up a free consultation, and check out some important information about construction injuries under Florida’s workers’ compensation laws.
Workers’ Compensation for Construction Injuries in Florida
Almost all Florida employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees, including construction workers. The laws are intended to provide prompt payment to injured workers, so they can recover and get back on the job quickly. If you are an eligible employee, and you were hurt in a qualifying on-the-job accident, you can receive such benefits as medical costs, lost wages, and disability.
One caveat of the workers’ compensation system is that you cannot recover for pain and suffering through a personal injury claim. There are certain exceptions which may apply in a construction environment: You can file a civil suit against certain third-party contractors, vendors, or manufacturers of defective products.
Inherent Dangers in the Construction Industry
OSHA statistics show that 63.7 percent of construction site fatalities in 2016 were due to four types of work-related accidents, earning these incidents the nickname “Fatal Four.” They are:
- Falls;
- Being struck by an object;
- Electrocution; and,
- Being caught between objects.
Causes of Construction Accidents: Not surprisingly, the primary factors behind the construction industry’s Fatal Four are closely tied to safety violations. Though a site involves considerable movement, machinery, and revolving job crews, OSHA investigations reveal that accidents occur more frequently due to:
- Faulty scaffolding, ladders, and related structures;
- Insufficient protection from falls;
- Failure to protect workers against respiratory hazards;
- Improper operation of on-site vehicles
- Dangerous electrical equipment and wiring;
- Insufficient control of hazardous substances; and,
- Many other types of safety violations.
Common Construction Injuries: Even when employers and contractors do their best to ensure safety of employees, there are certain types of construction injuries that predominantly affect construction workers, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and head trauma;
- Loss of vision and hearing;
- Electrocution and burns;
- Broken and crushed bones;
- Exposure to hazardous substances;
- Spinal cord injury;
- Amputation; and,
- Many others.
Discuss Workers’ Compensation for Construction Injuries with a Tampa Lawyer
At the office of Barbas Nuñez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian in Tampa, our legal team possesses the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure you receive the full level of benefits allowed by Florida’s workers’ compensation laws. Please call 813-279-2686 or visit our website to schedule a free consultation regarding your construction injuries.
