Construction Site Accident Attorney in Palm Coast, FL

Contact Chiumento Law, PLLC today for a free consultation.

When you work at a Florida construction site, you expect the people who are responsible for the site to ensure a safe and controlled environment. Workers from different subcontractors may be working in close proximity. When workplace safety protocols are not followed, the risk of accidents is quite high.

If you have been injured in a construction site accident due to others’ carelessness or disregard for safety, you may be entitled to seek compensation. The Palm Coast construction accident attorneys of Chiumento Law, PLLC, can help you evaluate your case and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.

Call us at (386) 445-8900 or contact us online to speak to a qualified attorney for a free initial consultation.

What Should I Do After a Construction Accident in Florida?

A construction site accident can leave you with painful injuries. It’s not always obvious what your next step should be. By taking the following simple steps, you can protect your legal rights and your ability to seek compensation:

  • Seek immediate medical attention – It’s important to seek prompt medical care. This will ensure you receive proper treatment and establish a record of your medical condition.
  • Notify your employer as soon as possible – If you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you’ll need to let your employer and their insurance provider know about your work-related injuries within 30 days. It’s a good idea to notify them in writing and keep a copy for your records.
  • Gather evidence for your claim – Take photographs of evidence such as the accident scene or visible injuries. You’ll want to hang on to any personal property or clothes damaged in the accident and medical records related to your diagnosis or treatment.
  • Talk to witnesses – If any co-workers or bystanders saw what happened when the accident occurred, ask them to provide you with a statement about what they saw. Request their contact details in case you need to follow up later.
  • Speak with a knowledgeable attorney – An experienced construction site accident lawyer can help you evaluate your options for recovering compensation, preserve crucial evidence, and maximize the benefits you receive.

Who is Liable After a Construction Accident?

Construction sites may be owned and overseen by different parties. It can be tricky to determine who may be financially liable after an accident.

Any of the following parties could be responsible for the effects of a construction accident, including:

  • The owner of the construction site – The owner of the land where the construction project takes place can be liable for injuries that occur on their land, even if they were not present at the time of the accident.
  • A general contractor or subcontractor – Contractors have a duty to ensure the safety of any workers they oversee on a construction site. Contractors may be liable for injuries to workers if the contractor neglected to warn of known or foreseeable hazards on the construction site or failed to provide proper safety equipment.
  • An architect or engineer – Architects and engineers are responsible for designing safe, practical structures and communicating their designs to construction teams. When an architect or engineer fails to meet appropriate safety standards, construction workers can be seriously or fatally injured.
  • The manufacturer of a defective product – If a power tool, construction vehicle, or another piece of equipment breaks or malfunctions on a construction site, any party involved in the manufacture or distribution of the product can be liable for resulting injuries.

How Can I File a Construction Accident Claim?

If you were injured in a Florida construction accident, you may be wondering what options you may have to claim compensation for your losses. Depending on the nature of the accident, you may be entitled to:

  • File a workers’ compensation claim – Construction employers are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage in Florida. If you are a qualifying employee, you could file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier to pay for your medical treatment and provide other benefits. Employers sometimes try to dispute a construction worker’s employment status to avoid paying workers’ compensation benefits
  • File a personal injury lawsuit – If someone caused the accident other than your employer (for example, another contractor operating on the same site), then you may file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. You will need to prove that the individual or company was at fault for the construction accident that led to your injuries. If your employer offers workers’ comp, you are typically barred from filing an injury lawsuit against your employer.
  • File a product liability claim – If you were injured due to a faulty or defective product such as an unsafe tool, you could have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
  • File a wrongful death claim – If you are a surviving family member or personal representative of someone who was killed in a construction site accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of their estate.

Types of Compensation Available in a Construction Accident Claim

When you file a claim for compensation after a construction site accident, any money you receive is intended to cover the losses you incur as a result of the accident. You could recover compensation for things like:

  • Previous and ongoing medical expenses – Any medical expenses you incur after the injury up until the time you settle your claim. This includes costs associated with ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctors’ visits, prescription medications, physical rehabilitation, and therapy.
  • Projected future medical expenses – If you and your doctor agree that your injuries will require long-term medical care, you could be entitled to compensation for the estimated medical expenses you are expected to incur.
  • Out-of-pocket expenses – You could claim compensation for any out-of-pocket payments you make for incidental expenses related to your injuries. This can include the costs of transportation to medical appointments, costs of in-home care, and costs of modifications to your home or vehicle to make them more accessible.
  • Lost wages from missed time at work – If you are forced to miss work due to a construction accident injury, you may be entitled to recover your lost wages, depending on the type of claim you file.
  • Losses in future earning capacity – If your injuries are so severe that you are unable to return to your previous job, you may seek compensation for projected losses in your lifetime wage-earning capacity.
  • Pain and suffering – You may be entitled to compensation for the subjective costs of the physical pain and psychological suffering you endure as a result of a construction accident injury. Compensation for pain and suffering may be sought in a personal injury lawsuit, but not in a workers’ compensation claim.

How Do Construction Accidents Happen?

Construction sites can be dangerous to both workers and visitors. When site owners or managers are negligent, the following types of accidents can occur:

  • Falls from a height – A fall from a height may occur when a worker slips off of a ladder, rolls off a rooftop, or steps off of a scaffold or elevated platform. If a worker is not provided with fall protection gear, the fall can cause catastrophic injuries.
  • Slips and falls – A slip and fall can occur due to slick or wet surfaces, missing handrails or guardrails, or debris on the ground. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the number one cause of fatal construction accidents.
  • Vehicle accidents – Construction sites may have constantly changing traffic patterns and workers on foot working near heavy equipment and vehicle traffic. Workers may be injured as a result of accidents involving forklifts, dump trucks, and other construction vehicles. Forklift accidents commonly occur when a forklift operator is carrying a large load that obstructs their view.
  • Electrocutions – A construction worker can be electrocuted if the worker comes into contact with exposed overhead wires, buried power cables, or other power sources.
  • Crushing injuries – Body parts can be trapped or crushed between the moving parts of heavy machinery or pieces of equipment that fall or roll over.
  • Falling or flying objects – Construction site workers can be injured by falling or flying objects as a result of improper nail gun discharges, dropped tools, or loads that fall. Struck-by-object injuries are one of the top four causes of fatal construction site injuries, according to OSHA.
  • Machinery accidents – Many construction site accidents involve brushes with power tools or heavy machinery. Machinery accidents can occur due to mechanical defects, electrical issues, a lack of appropriate safety equipment, or poor training.

Contact an Experienced Palm Coast Construction Accident Lawyer Today

For more than 40 years, the construction accident lawyers of Chiumento Law, PLLC, have stood by injured victims and their families. If you were injured in a Florida construction accident and find yourself struggling to overcome your injuries and move forward, reach out to our dedicated team to help you understand your legal options.

No matter how complicated your construction accident case is, we have the knowledge and resources to pursue the compensation you deserve. Let us handle the difficult and time-consuming aspects of your claim while you focus on what matters.

Call us at (386) 445-8900 or reach out to us online to get started with your free case review today.

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Chiumento Law, PLLC has contributed to schools and other organizations that have made a difference in the community and take pride in portraying an active role in our community. Flagler and Volusia Counties hosts an array of events and we are proud to be a part of many of them!

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