Protecting Construction Workers After An Injury

Different construction and job site accident cases are handled differently under Florida law. Some people’s on-the-job injuries are attributable to their own employers — those cases fall under workers’ compensation. But sometimes, a different contractor working on the same job site is to blame. In these cases, you can sue the other company for negligence in construction site safety and receive more extensive damages.

At Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli & Pratt, P.A., our Florida construction accident attorneys focus on complex litigation, including cases that involve suing other contractors. We do not handle workers’ compensation claims. For people who have valid claims, we will do all work on contingency, charging no lawyer fee until we are paid.

How Do I Know If I Have A Case?

Florida law is unique in that it distinguishes between vertical and horizontal employers on job sites. Your vertical employer is the company that hired you and signs your paycheck. Vertical employers are covered by workers’ compensation, which, quite frankly, is a terrible system that gives injured employees much less than they deserve.

Horizontal employers, however, are other companies working on your job site. For example, in one case handled by our lawyers, a general contractor hired both ironworkers and a crane company. We were able to sue the crane company, a horizontal employer of an injured ironworker, and get a $1.25 million jury verdict.

In such cases, we use our many years of experience to get the money our clients need for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, etc., both past and future. Please review examples of our successes in personal injury litigation.

Establishing Liability At Construction Sites

Crane accidents are a hazard at many construction sites. They happen in many ways, from operator error to improper setup to defective equipment to operation during windy conditions. Here are just a few examples of crane accident causes:

• Boom or support structure collapses
• Dropped loads
• Contact with power lines
• Rigging failures
• Crane tip-overs
• Counterweight injuries
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety violations

Falls From Heights

Roofers face the risk of serious injury or death every day they show up for work. A fall from a roof can mean more than an extended hospital stay and painful rehabilitation. It can result in lifelong disability. The following are examples of negligence that can lead to a personal injury claim:

• A fall through a hole in the roof
• Roof collapse
• OSHA violations (such as a lack of safety lines or fall protection)
• Unsafe property conditions
• Defective products
• Injuries caused by items dropped from above

Can I Sue My Employer?

While workers’ compensation exists to provide medical care and wage loss benefits for people who are injured on the job, those benefits are limited. If you have suffered a serious injury, workers’ compensation alone will not be enough to protect you from financial hardship.

There are exceptions in third-party liability cases that allow for a personal injury suit against a negligent employer. In addition, other parties that do not work for your employer may be liable. Our lawyers will evaluate the circumstances of your accident and determine if you have the right to seek additional compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Do Not Wait — Schedule A Free Consultation

At Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli & Pratt, P.A., our lawyers can help you explore all your legal options, including filing a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for your injury. Contact us right away for a free consultation if you believe another company has contributed to your loved one’s injuries.