If another party caused or contributed to the construction accident or truck accident that resulted in injury or death, an experienced Lakeland accident lawyer can help ensure that you are compensated for the physical injury, emotional trauma, and financial hardship you have faced in the wake of the accident. At Kemp Personal Injury Law, we are committed to ensuring that the responsible party (or parties) is held accountable for all your injuries or the loss you suffered if a loved one was fatally injured in a Lakeland construction or truck accident.

What Causes Construction Site Accidents?

Every year, countless workers sustain injuries while on the job in the United States, often due to avoidable accidents. In 2022, a staggering 5,486 workers lost their lives due to job-related incidents. On average, that means that a worker is killed on the job every 96 minutes in the United States. According to data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), transportation and material moving represented the occupational group with the most fatalities, followed closely by construction and extraction occupations. Workers are not the only people at risk of injury at construction sites. The hazardous environment of construction sites also poses a significant risk of severe injury or fatality to bystanders and pedestrians within proximity of the site.

Transportation incidents have historically been the number one cause of worker fatalities in the U.S. Construction site fatalities, however, are most commonly the result of what OSHA refers to as the “Fatal Four” which include:

• Fall Accidents: Fall accidents account for the most “Fatal Four” deaths in a typical year, causing one in three construction site fatalities. These preventable injuries and deaths are frequently caused by failing to follow proper, legally mandated, safety protocols.
• “Struck by an object” Accidents: These construction site accidents are caused by objects falling, swinging, exploding, or otherwise impacting a victim. Negligent acts and omissions, such as failing to properly secure safety harnesses or improperly loading/stacking heavy materials often lead to a “struck by” accident.
• Caught In/Between Accidents: Caught in and caught between accidents happen when a worker gets trapped in/between materials, tools, equipment, or even dirt on a construction site.
• Electrocution Accidents: Whether it is used to power equipment or is being installed in a new building, electricity can be found on almost all construction sites. Electricity found on a construction site, in the form of generators, exposed wiring, equipment, and unfinished electrical outlets, can cause an electrocution accident.

Is My Lakeland Construction Accident Covered by Worker’s Compensation?

Florida law imposes higher workers’ compensation insurance standards on certain employers, including those in the construction and agricultural industries. Construction industry employers that have one or more employees, including the owner of the business who are corporate officers or Limited Liability Company (LLC) members, must have workers’ compensation coverage. This means that if you are an employee working in the construction industry, your employer is required to carry you on their workers’ compensation insurance policy.

Because workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” insurance system, you must only prove that you were injured while in the scope of employment to be entitled to benefits for a workplace injury. For an injured worker, the benefit of being covered by workers’ compensation insurance is that you are not required to prove that your employer did anything wrong to be entitled to benefits. Unfortunately, however, the benefits you receive as a workers’ compensation claimant will not fully compensate you for all your injuries and expenses. Workers’ compensation only pays 80 percent of covered medical bills and 60 percent of lost wages.

Am I Limited to Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim for My Construction Accident Injuries?

In the State of Florida, an injured worker is limited to benefits under an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance unless one of the following applies:

• The employer’s intentionally wrong conduct caused or contributed to the worker’s injuries.
• A third party’s negligent or wrongful conduct caused or contributed to the accident.

For example, if the negligence of the general contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer contributed to the accident that caused your injuries, you may be entitled to pursue additional compensation through a traditional personal injury lawsuit. An experienced Lakeland construction accident lawyer can evaluate the circumstances surrounding the accident and explain your legal options to you.

Get Reliable, Experienced Legal Help with Your Lakeland Construction Accident Case

A construction site accident can leave a victim with lasting injuries or leave survivors to grieve the wrongful death of a family member. Lakeland construction accident lawyer Adam Kemp understands the devastating impact a construction accident can have on everyone involved, which is why he is dedicated to pursuing full and fair compensation for injured victims and family members in the case of a fatal accident. Attorney Kemp leverages the skills honed as an associate at one of America’s leading personal injury firms and as a former prosecuting attorney in his quest for justice for the victims of construction accidents and wrongful death cases.

If you suffered injuries in a Lakeland construction accident or lost a loved one in a fatal construction accident, contact an experienced Lakeland construction accident lawyer at Kemp Personal Injury Law to discuss your legal options. Our mission is to ensure that victims of preventable construction accidents are fully and fairly compensated by the responsible parties. Reach out to our team today for a complimentary initial consultation by calling 863-225-0254 or by filling out our convenient online contact form.