Deland, FL Construction Accident Lawyers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction workers face some of the highest risks of getting injured or killed at work compared to most other professions. Large machinery, dangerous equipment, and exhaustingly long work hours can contribute to accidents and injuries. Moreover, the unavoidable hazards of construction work are amplified when an employer fails to adhere to safety rules and regulations. The resulting accidents and injuries can be disastrous for workers and their families. 

If you or your family is affected, get in touch with us. Morgan & Morgan’s Deland construction accident lawyers have extensive experience helping injured construction workers and their families pursue compensation for their recovery and a financially secure future. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you could be entitled to damages in addition to workers’ compensation benefits. Contact us today to find out more in a free case review.

Examples of Construction Site Accidents in Deland

Construction sites are inherently less safe than other work environments such as offices or retail stores. Workers may be on high scaffolds, on swing stages, or in confined places. Accidents can happen for various reasons, such as a worker’s inattention, an employer’s negligence, or the recklessness of another contractor.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are four common causes of construction site injuries, the so-called “construction fatal four,” which include:

1. Falls 
2. Getting struck by an object 
3. Electrocutions 
4. Getting caught in-between 

However, workers on building sites can be exposed to many dangers, such as toxic chemicals, ground collapses, and injuries from overexertion. Even an extremely careful construction worker can get involved in an accident and experience the life-long consequences of an injury. 

Common Injuries and Hazards on Construction Sites

Construction site accidents can cause severe and life-changing injuries, including:

• Fractured bones
• Burns
• Musculoskeletal injuries 
• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Loss of a limb 
• Loss of a sense, such as eyesight or hearing
• Electrocution
• Crush injuries
• Head and brain injuries

In addition to being at risk from accidents, construction workers may be exposed to toxins and hazardous chemicals at work. Therefore, workers on building sites may be prone to developing various diseases such as:

• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Liver damage
• Allergic reactions

Acute injuries and chronic diseases can lead to astronomical medical bills and long-term care costs for those affected. If you or a loved one suffered harm while working in construction, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Moreover, if you suffered an injury due to another’s reckless or careless actions at work, you could sue the responsible party and recover compensation. Our Deland construction accident lawyers want to help you get justice and could assist with pursuing compensation for your damages.

Recent Construction Accidents Near Deland in Volusia County

According to Florida Realtors, Central Florida has been experiencing a building boom in the last few years, with many more new homes and apartment buildings in planning. Three out of four construction companies in the state are looking to hire more people to keep up with their projects. While the building boom delights construction companies, investors, and those looking to buy new homes, some workers pay the ultimate price. Recent construction site accidents in Volusia County include:

• A construction worker fell ten stories to his death while working on a beachside condo building in Ormond-by-the-Sea in 2019. 
• A worker died, and two suffered injuries during a roof collapse on the construction site for a Dollar General store in Volusia County in November 2021.
• In March 2022, two construction workers were killed in Daytona Beach after a concrete wall fell on them while constructing a new apartment complex.

Your Options for Recovery After a Construction Accident in Deland

If you were injured in a construction site accident in Deland, you could have several options to recover compensation for your losses, such as: 

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Most employers in Florida, including the construction industry, must carry workers’ comp insurance. Workers who get injured at work can then claim benefits from the program, which can include:

Medical Care

Injured Florida workers are entitled to the medical care necessary to treat their work injury. You are also entitled to medical transportation costs, medical devices, medicines, and other essential medical expenses.

Wage Replacement

Under Florida’s workers’ comp program, you are entitled to wage replacement benefits if you get injured at work and are unable to work. You could receive temporary or permanent disability benefits, depending on the extent of your injury. Wage replacement payments are generally two-thirds of your ordinary weekly pay up to a maximum benefit amount.   

Vocational Benefits 

Injured construction workers may not be able to return to their regular job after recovery. The Florida workers’ comp program provides certain vocational benefits, such as re-training or further education, to help you find alternative work. 

Death Benefits

The family of a worker who died due to a work accident could be entitled to death benefits from the workers’ comp program, such as:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Compensation to dependents
• Educational benefits to the surviving spouse

Getting what you deserve with a workers’ comp claim is not always as easy as it should be. However, our Deland construction accident lawyers can help if your employer or the insurer challenges your workers’ compensation claim.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

Depending on the facts of your accident and your employment status, you could also file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. Some construction workers are self-employed and do not qualify for workers’ compensation when they get injured. Even if you are covered with workers’ comp insurance, you could still file a lawsuit if another party, such as a property owner or contractor on site, caused your accident negligently or willfully. Some examples of defendants in third-party personal injury claims can include: 

• A property owner who did not make the worksite safe
• Another contractor negligently contributed to an accident
• A manufacturer of faulty machinery or equipment 

Damages Recoverable in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Those hurt in a construction accident may not only have to deal with physical pain but also face a considerable financial burden caused by medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. However, with a personal injury lawsuit, workers may recover a range of damages, such as: 

• Current, past, and future medical costs 
• Loss of wages and future earning potential 
• Pain and anguish
• Loss of a limb
• Permanent disfigurement
• Disability

In rare cases, victims receive punitive damages if an individual or construction company acted particularly recklessly in causing an accident.  

Wrongful Death Lawsuit

If your loved one died in a construction accident, you could file a wrongful death lawsuit in some circumstances. A wrongful death lawsuit allows close family members to recover damages arising from the passing of their loved one, such as:

• Medical bills before death
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of income and benefits from the decedent