Construction Accident Lawyer in Big Pine Key

Following a construction accident, you may expect your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance to reimburse you for your losses while you recover. 

However, insurance agencies don’t always act in your best interests. They may say that your injuries aren’t severe or that you were at fault for the accident. When this happens, you need a construction accident attorney on your side.

Multiple factors could have contributed to your injuries. For instance, your employer may not have appropriate safety procedures in place. Lack of safety procedures can result in an unsafe workplace, leading to potential accidents.

Sometimes, construction workers must use defective tools or products. A faulty device can easily lead to an accident and subsequent injuries.

Construction accident attorneys in Big Pine Key will work to establish the circumstances of your accident and determine who was at fault. An attorney must consider many complex laws, including OSHA regulations, workers’ compensation laws, and personal injury rules. 

Your attorney will study the facts of your case and determine which laws apply. They’ll help you assemble the appropriate documentation and file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Construction attorneys will collect evidence pertinent to your case, including photographs and video recordings, your medical team’s statements, and witnesses’ discussions. If experts are required to substantiate certain assumptions in your case, your lawyer will meet with them to get their assessment of the situation.

A construction accident lawyer will work on your behalf to negotiate settlements with insurance providers and other defendants. They take on your concerns and worries, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries.

If the defendant is unwilling to come to a fair settlement, construction accident attorneys in Big Pine Key have no problem taking them to court. We’ll make sure that your case is presented in your favor, helping you obtain the compensation you’re due.

In a construction accident, several parties may be at fault for your injuries. A construction case can lead to several types of lawsuits, including personal injury, product liability, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death.

In a personal injury case, someone else’s negligence led to your injuries. For instance, another employee may have failed to clean up their mess, resulting in a slip and fall. Sometimes, employers contribute to personal injuries by failing to require their employees to adhere to proper procedures.

Cases involving product liability occur when a tool or device doesn’t perform as expected. Product liability cases may include suits against a manufacturer, wholesaler, or product retailer. An example of a defective product in a construction case is scaffolding that unexpectedly breaks, even if used per the manufacturer’s instructions.

In a workers’ compensation claim, lawsuits sometimes arise when the insurance provider tries to avoid paying for the employee’s lost wages or medical treatment. The insurance provider may argue that the worker’s injuries occurred outside of work or aren’t as extensive as the employee claims.

A wrongful death claim is appropriate when a loved one dies in a construction accident. Surviving family members can file a claim on their loved one’s behalf to collect financial damages for their losses, including funeral and burial compensation and loss of companionship or consortium.

There are many reasons why construction accidents occur. A few of the most common include:

• Inadequate safety procedures and policies 
• Poorly maintained construction equipment and machines
• Insufficient training of construction workers
• Bad weather conditions, like rain or thunderstorms
• Careless operation of machinery or equipment
• Negligent actions of a third party, another employee, or the employer
• Inadequate warning of potential safety hazards
• Employee fatigue or intoxication

Construction accidents can occur while using heavy equipment and machinery, from falling objects, or because of defective equipment. Some of the most typical causes of construction accidents we see at Morgan & Morgan include:

• Slips and falls
• Falls from scaffolding, the roof, or balconies
• Collapsed structures, like roofs or extended stories
• Fires or explosions
• Electrical and welding accidents
• Crushing incidents
• Falling objects
• Crane and hoist accidents
• Chemical spills
• Cell tower accidents
• Defective tools and equipment

Whatever the cause of your injuries, construction accident attorneys in Big Pine Key can review the circumstances and determine who is at fault.

Injuries in a construction accident can be minor, severe, or fatal. Some of the most common construction-related injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries, like a concussion
• Lacerations
• Crushing injuries
• Back injuries, like slipped discs
• Spinal cord damage
• Nerve damage
• Burns
• Loss of limbs

Due to the inherently hazardous nature of construction work, injuries are often severe. Survivors of construction accidents often face an uphill battle of recovery and may require months or years before they can return to their duties. In some cases, injuries may require construction workers to seek other positions that aren’t as physically taxing.

Following a construction accident, there are specific steps that workers and employers must take to document the incident and ensure that the worker obtains appropriate medical treatment.

Get Immediate Medical Treatment

The first step after any construction accident is to call for medical assistance. Even if the worker says they are okay, ruling out invisible injuries is critical. If the worker is bleeding or shows signs of needing immediate first aid, nearby employees should administer it. 

Call for an ambulance to transport the worker to the nearest hospital. Doctors at the hospital can diagnose their injuries and attempt to stabilize them.

Report the Accident to the Employer

If you sustain injuries in a construction accident, report them to your employer. Under Florida law, you have up to 30 days to report following the date of the accident. 

The law provides extended time to report an injury because sometimes the wound isn’t immediately apparent. For instance, if you strain your back, you may assume that the pain will go away in a few days. However, problems can occur if the pain worsens and you need treatment.

You should note the date of your report and keep a copy of it for your records. Your employer must report the incident to their workers’ compensation provider within seven days.

Document Your Evidence

If you can, photograph your surroundings and any items you believe directly contributed to your injuries. For instance, take pictures of the spilled substance if you slip on a liquid. If your tools fail to work appropriately, take a picture of them. 

Note any video recording devices in the area. If they are recording in the direction of the place where your accident occurred, your lawyer can request the recording. Video footage can substantiate your claims of negligence or product defects.

Consult With Construction Accident Attorneys in Big Pine Key

A construction accident lawyer can help you establish the facts of your case and determine who was at fault. A lawyer can help you understand your rights, even if you’re not sure whether you will pursue a lawsuit. 

All consultations with our clients are confidential, so no one will know you’re seeking legal advice unless you tell them.

The compensation you can recover will depend on the type of case you file and the circumstances of your accident.

In a personal injury or defective product case, you can obtain damages for your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, emotional pain and anguish, the injury itself, or disability and disfigurement.

Typical damages in a workers’ compensation claim include coverage of medical expenses, disability benefits, and supplemental earnings. You may also receive compensation for home care and prescriptions.

Family members of loved ones who died after a construction accident may receive compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, loss of parental guidance, and mental pain and suffering.

Every construction accident case is different. The value of your case will depend on the type of case you file, the severity of your injuries, and who is responsible for the accident. Construction accident attorneys in Big Pine Key can help you establish responsibility.

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury case in Florida is two years. 

An employee with a workers’ compensation claim must file their lawsuit within two years of the accident. Similarly, family members of a loved one who dies in a construction accident have up to two years to file their claim.

Most personal injury cases are resolved through the settlement process. Your attorney will work directly with the defendant and their insurance provider to reach a fair agreement that compensates you for your injuries and financial losses.

If your construction accident attorneys in Big Pine Key can’t reach a satisfactory settlement agreement with the defendant, we will take your case to court. 

At Morgan and Morgan, we work under a contingency fee arrangement. All of our initial consultations are free. We receive a percentage of any settlement or court verdict we win on your behalf. If we cannot obtain compensation for you, you don’t have to pay for our time.

Morgan and Morgan is the nation’s largest personal injury law firm. We’ve helped thousands of people get compensation for injuries suffered in construction accidents, and we can help you too. 

Fill out our convenient online form to schedule your free, confidential case review.