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Fort Myers Construction Accidents
Fort Myers is a bustling city, with a plethora of new office buildings, roads, parks, homes, stores, etc. being built. Construction work is a very vital piece of our city’s workforce – it’s the infrastructure of our city. However, construction is also one of the most dangerous industries in the world, in terms of workplace accidents. This is due to the fact that construction workers are exposed to a greater variety of hazards and face a greater risk because of the sheer nature of the jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the incidence rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in construction in 2012 was 3.7, per 100 fulltime workers – one of the highest rates of any major economic sector.
Common construction workplace accidents include:
- Welding accidents
- Roof-related falls
- Stair/floor/ceiling collapses
- Crane accidents
- Scaffolding accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Lifting and heavy equipment failure
- Motor vehicle accidents in designated work areas
- Electric shock
- Trench collapses
- Fires and explosions
- Struck by heavy falling objects
- Insufficient guardrails
- Lack of safety nets
- Electrical accidents
- Eye injuries
- Faulty saws or cutting hazards
- Asbestos/mold contamination
Who can be held liable? The short answer is, it depends on the size of the projects and a wide variety of individuals and businesses that are involved in the construction.
- Construction Site Owners: Liability usually depends on the amount of control the owner has over the property, compared to the amount of control over the task being completed.
- General and Sub-Contractors: According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), general contractors and sub-contractors are obligated to provide their employees with a safe construction site and are required to warn them of any and all threats at the site or present in the job itself.
- Prime Contractors: Prime contractors are mainly responsible for work that’s specified in their contract. They are also responsible for any tasks that they entrust to subcontractors, if they have sole responsibility over those subcontractors.
- Construction Managers: These individuals are responsible for observing the progress and ensuring compliance with code regulations.
- Equipment and Material Suppliers: Any party in the distribution supply chain of a product used for defensive purposes may be held liable if a flaw in their product causes an illness or injury.
- Insurers: Typically with larger projects, the parties involved are required to carry ample insurance.
If you or a loved one has been injured on a construction site, you should contact an experienced attorney who can help you with your claim. Florida’s laws differ from other states and it’s important to know which laws may or may not pertain to your specific situation. An experienced attorney can also help you decide which parties may be liable for the injuries you or your loved one has sustained. The attorneys at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A. are knowledgeable experts who will thoroughly investigate everything pertaining to your case such as medical records, witness statements, the construction site and other parties pertaining to your case. A construction accident lawyer will begin an investigation, identify any liable parties, determine the specific type of claim you should pursue and decide which damages you should seek to recover. Damages from construction accidents typically include loss of wages, medical expenses, mental pain and suffering, living expenses, property damages, counseling/physical therapy sessions, and other expenses.
Our main objective in every case is to maximize the value of your total compensation. To maximize these results, we look for every valid legal claim that can be brought against persons or companies. Contact our South Florida law offices by calling us at 305-448-8585 or toll free at 877-448-8585 or by contacting us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
