If you are hurt on the job, the first thing you should do is get medical attention. Additionally, you will need to inform your employer of the accident in which you were injured. Other evidence can help your case substantially, such as obtaining statements from witnesses and taking photographs of your injuries and the scene of the accident.
At Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A., our Fort Lauderdale construction accident attorneys understand that you have extensive responsibilities and concerns while working on a construction site. Sometimes when you take the utmost precautions, you can still get into an unfortunate accident that leaves you seriously injured.
Our lawyers are here to help you file for workers’ compensation, as you deserve. We can also help you file a personal injury claim if a third party’s severe negligence caused your injury, not just an honest workplace mistake. We want to see you comfortable and on your feet again, and we will go above and beyond to ensure that happens.
There is always something happening at a construction site, it seems. From cranes lifting tons of material hundreds of feet into the air to miles of electrical cable being laid throughout a structure, construction sites are busy and can be prone to serious accidents. This is especially true when safety is not prioritized properly by supervisors, safety crews, and parent companies.
As mentioned, state and federal guidelines require employers to obtain certain permits, conduct regular inspections, and implement job safety programs to limit workplace injuries.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), part of the United States Department of Labor, the top four most dangerous construction accidents are falls, struck-by-object accidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between accidents. About 20% of all construction accident fatalities are caused by these four dangers.
If the “OSHA fatal four” could be entirely eliminated, more than 600 fatal construction accidents would be prevented each year, and countless more injuries stopped.
A great way to increase construction accident prevention is enforcing higher safety standards and giving more safety training to construction workers. However, this responsibility falls upon construction firms and parent companies to make certain their employees are given the right preparation and equipment to prevent accidents.
In 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) was created within the Department of Labor to reduce hazards in the workplace and implement safety and health programs. As a construction employee, OSHA’s safety standards and regulations apply to you, so it’s good to have an idea of your rights in the workplace.
OSHA gives construction workers the right to:
According to OSHA, employers have a duty to:
If a hazard is not corrected, an employee can contact an OSHA area office and write a complaint. If it’s determined that a danger exists, OSHA will conduct an inspection. The inspector may manage an inspection of the entire workplace or the limited area where the danger or hazard is. At the end of the inspection, the OSHA inspector will meet with the employer and the employee representatives to discuss the mitigation of any hazards found.
Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers can work to help you get back on your feet financially after you suffer a serious injury on the construction site. This can include recovering lost wages, paying your medical expenses, physical therapy, doctor visits, and other losses. When your employer fails to adhere to state and federal regulations regarding the safety of a construction site, we can work to hold them accountable for the harm done to you.
