Landscaping Worker Injuries

Landscaping is a physically demanding job that often comes along with significant and unavoidable risks. Whether you're maintaining lawns, trimming trees, or installing hardscapes, you face potential hazards on a daily basis. As a landscaping worker in Florida, you may encounter injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to severe damage that could keep you off the job for weeks or even months. If you’ve been injured while working as a landscaper, the experienced Miami workers’ compensation lawyers at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada are here to help. With more than 45 years of experience pursuing noteworthy compensation on behalf of injured workers, we know what it takes to make a successful claim that maximizes your benefits.

Landscaping work can involve a variety of risks, leading to a range of injuries. While there are many types of landscaping worker injuries, some of the most common injuries include the following:

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Repetitive motions such as lifting heavy objects, digging, and bending can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries might include sprains, strains, and lower back pain. Over time, repetitive stress can cause chronic pain conditions that may require long-term medical treatment and physical therapy.

Heat-Related Illnesses

Florida's hot and humid climate makes landscaping particularly challenging. Prolonged exposure to the sun and high temperatures can result in heat exhaustion or heat stroke, both of which are serious conditions that require immediate medical attention. Symptoms like dizziness, headaches, nausea, and confusion should never be ignored, as they can escalate quickly.

Injuries from Equipment and Machinery

Landscaping often involves the use of powerful equipment such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, and hedge trimmers. Accidents with this machinery can result in severe injuries, including cuts, lacerations, amputations, and even death. Improper training, lack of maintenance, or malfunctioning equipment can increase the likelihood of these accidents.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Working on uneven terrain, wet grass, or around loose materials can lead to slip and fall accidents. These incidents can cause a range of injuries, from minor bruises to serious fractures or concussions. Falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in the landscaping industry.

Chemical Exposure

Landscapers often work with fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals that can be harmful if not handled properly. Exposure to these substances can cause respiratory issues, skin irritations, and other health problems. Long-term exposure may even increase the risk of more serious conditions, such as cancer.

As a landscaping worker, if you suffer an injury on the job, you have the right to seek workers' compensation benefits. However, the process of obtaining these benefits can be complex, especially when dealing with certain issues. Below is a list of some of the issues we’ve overcome on behalf of our clients in the landscaping industry.

Coverage for Repetitive Strain Injuries

One of the challenges in workers' compensation claims for landscaping workers is proving that repetitive strain injuries are work-related. Unlike acute injuries, which are usually straightforward to document as they are immediate, repetitive strain injuries develop over time. Without the assistance of legal counsel it may be difficult for you alone to demonstrate that these injuries are directly caused by your job rather than by other activities or pre-existing conditions. Proper documentation from medical professionals, along with detailed records of your work activities, can be critical in these cases.

Heat-Related Illnesses and Workers' Compensation

Heat-related illnesses, while compensable, can also make a claim more challenging. For example, employers might argue that these conditions are not work-related, particularly if they believe that this condition could have developed outside of work and that it’s just coincidence that it happened on the job. However, under Florida law, employers are required to provide a safe working environment, which includes measures to protect workers from extreme heat.

If you've been injured while working in landscaping, it's essential to take immediate steps to protect your rights. At Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, our committed team of workplace injury attorneys has extensive experience in securing maximum benefit awards for workers in Miami-Dade County and across South Florida. We handle all types of workplace injury cases and offer free consultations to all potential clients. Additionally, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if there is a financial recovery. To learn more and schedule your free consultation, call us at 305-448-8585 or reach out through our secure online contact form.