Whether you are putting up a new building or renovating an old one, structural integrity is a key issue. Every necessary precaution must be taken to ensure the safety of all employees working on the project. Otherwise, the result could be a devastating building collapse that requires employees like you to pursue workers’ compensation benefits. Our Florida lawyers are here to represent those who want assistance filing a claim.
Rosenberg & Rosenberg is a large, family-owned law firm that is committed to making our community safer by helping people like you get financial compensation for workplace injuries. To find out what our Florida workers’ compensation lawyers can do in your case, call us today and get a free, confidential consultation.
To qualify for workers’ compensation for building collapses in Florida, you must prove that your injuries were caused by an on-the-job incident like the following:
A V-shaped collapse occurs when a supporting beam or structure in the middle of the building gives way. This causes the level(s) above the failed support to collapse inward, creating a V shape.
This is the opposite of a V-shaped collapse. The center of the structure remains intact, while debris collapses to either side in an A shape.
In a cantilever collapse, parts of the building remain standing but the entire structure is compromised. For example, say that the front of a three-story building collapses, effectively cutting the building in half. The back of the building is still standing, but the upper floors are now exposed to open air and may not have the support they need to remain in place for long.
This occurs when half of a building falls and forms half of an A. The name comes from the fact that the resulting debris pile resembles a lean-to.
One of the most dangerous types of collapses, a pancake collapse happens when the building falls straight down. Each level “pancakes” onto the next until something halts the collapse or there is nothing left of the structure.
No matter what kind of collapse you were injured in, the workers’ compensation attorneys at Rosenberg & Rosenberg can help you investigate the incident and pursue the benefits you need.
It goes without saying that buildings should not collapse during construction, but when there is negligence, they are more prone to disaster. Factors that could cause a building collapse include:
Proper planning, safety protocols, and adherence to regulations are critical in preventing such tragedies. Regular inspections—the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a key role in preserving construction site integrity—and training workers on safety measures can further minimize risks. Additionally, addressing potential hazards in the early stages of construction can greatly reduce the chances of accidents, ensuring a safer environment for everyone.
By prioritizing safety at every step, both lives and resources can be preserved, helping to prevent the devastating consequences of structural failure.
A building collapse is one of the most devastating accidents that can occur on a construction site. Workers who were in, on, or near the structure at the time of collapse could suffer:
A collapse could also leave workers trapped in the rubble for hours or days—a truly horrific situation that could lead to catastrophic injuries.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a building collapse while on the job, call Rosenberg & Rosenberg today. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers are eager to start figuring out how we can help your family.
Almost all Florida workers have access to workers’ compensation benefits, according to Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). While this is a valuable lifeline for injured workers, employers and their insurance companies do not necessarily make it easy to access these benefits.
Our legal team has the experience, skill, and commitment to help you secure the workers’ compensation benefits you need to recover from your injuries.
As long as your employer is insured, and as long as you can prove that your injuries are a direct result of the collapse, then yes, you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include:
Our Fort Lauderdale construction accident lawyers can help you file a workers’ compensation claim by making sure you report your injury to your employer in time, gathering evidence of the connection between the collapse and your injuries, and navigating the entire process on your behalf. We can even file an appeal if the insurance company denies your claim.
In many cases, yes. However, if you can prove that the negligence of a third party—such as a contractor, architect, or engineer—contributed to or was the main cause of the collapse, you may also be able to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against them.
Through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, you could recover damages for:
Qualifying for personal injury compensation is more difficult than qualifying for workers’ comp. This is because a personal injury claim requires you to prove liability. In other words, you must show that:
With a workers’ compensation claim, the only thing you need to prove is that the collapse caused your injuries. Liability plays no role in determining whether or not you get benefits.
At Rosenberg & Rosenberg, we recognize that this is a very difficult time in your life. Allow us to guide you through the legal process so that you can seek financial compensation without having to divert time or energy away from your recovery.
Rosenberg & Rosenberg wants you to know that you may be entitled to workers’ compensation for a building collapse in Florida. When a collapse is the result of negligence from a third party, we can help you hold the at-fault party accountable as well.
Our legal team always works hard to get our clients the damages they need and deserve. We put a full team of attorneys that includes one of our partners on every case. Call today for a free case review and pay nothing until you win.