Common Types of Winter Haven Construction Accidents
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),
1,075 workers died in a construction accident in 2023, with construction being one of the leading industries for workplace deaths in the country. Accidents are common in the construction industry due to the use of dangerous, heavy machinery and the high-risk nature of the job. The BLS also reports that the construction sector suffered the highest number of fatalities in the state of Florida in 2023, with
92 total deaths.
There are plenty of different ways in which a construction worker may be injured or hurt on the job, though the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies common types of construction hazards known as the “fatal four” that account for a majority of construction-related accidents:
- Falls: Falls are the leading cause of death in construction site accidents. Workers spend hours a day on elevated surfaces like ladders, scaffolding, rooftops, and more. Whether due to a lack of protection and safety equipment or from a slip and fall, construction workers may suffer serious injuries after falling from a great height.
- Struck By Objects: These accidents account for just over 10% of construction site fatalities. Tools or other equipment that fall from a distance can cause serious injury. Workers may be struck by objects from a crane, moving machinery, or materials falling from an elevated height.
- Caught-In/Between Hazards: These accidents occur when a worker is pinned in between a moving piece of machinery. A worker can easily become trapped in a piece of heavy equipment or a collapsing structure and suffer extensive injuries.
- Electrocutions: Electrocutions account for a lower percentage of construction fatalities, though they are common in the industry. A construction worker may be electrocuted because of hazards like exposed wiring, faulty electrical equipment, power lines, and more. Electrocutions can be fatal and result in severe injury.
While OSHA recognizes these four types of accidents as the most common construction hazards, workers face many other risks on the job as well. For example, some other common examples of workplace accidents in the construction industry include:
- Heavy equipment accidents: Employees who are improperly trained or mishandle heavy equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, forklifts, and other vehicles may cause a reckless accident and injure themselves or another worker. Malfunctioning equipment can also cause a piece of heavy equipment to run over or crush another worker.
- Exposure to hazardous materials: Construction workers not only face the risk of serious physical injury, but are also oftentimes exposed to toxic chemicals and harmful substances like asbestos, lead, silica, and more. Contact or increased exposure to these materials can lead to respiratory illnesses and have long-term effects on a worker’s health.
- Repetitive stress injuries: As in any industry, prolonged repetitive tasks can lead to chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders. In construction, workers often experience repetitive stress injuries due to prolonged use of heavy tools and performing the same repetitive motions every day.
At Kemp Injury Law, we take pride in helping workers who have been injured in a Winter Haven construction accident recover compensation for their injuries or illnesses. We believe that workers deserve fair compensation when they have suffered an injury caused by their work, and we can help injured victims and their families seek justice after a serious accident.
If you have lost a loved one in a Winter Haven construction accident, our team is also available to help you pursue a
wrongful death claim. Call Kemp Injury Law today to speak with a trusted personal injury attorney and explore your legal options.
What Are the Common Injuries in Winter Haven Construction Accidents?
The construction industry features more workplace fatalities than almost any other industry. Even a seemingly minor accident at a Winter Haven construction site can result in serious injury that greatly disrupts lives and may have lifelong consequences. Some of the most common injuries that workers experience in Winter Haven construction accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Head Injuries: Workers that fall from heights, are struck by falling tools, or are injured in a heavy equipment accident may suffer serious blows to the head, with the potential for concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Workers may land on their neck or beck after falling from a great height or crush their spine in a ‘caught-in/between’ accident. Spinal cord injuries can result in lifelong impairment, paralysis, and severe nerve damage.
- Broken and Fractured Bones: Construction workers may break or fracture arms, legs, ribs, wrists, ankles, and more after an accident. Falls or vehicle and equipment accidents can quickly result in broken or fractured bones that require surgery and extensive recovery times.
- Loss of Limbs: Construction workers who are caught in or between heavy pieces of moving machinery or are crushed after a scaffolding collapse may lose an arm or a leg.
- Respiratory Issues: Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals and inhaling toxic fumes and other hazardous chemicals can lead to chronic lung conditions and respiratory problems.
- Burns: Electrical and chemical burns are unfortunately common in the construction industry. Exposure to live electrical wires or contact with hot machinery can easily cause burns or electrocutions that can be fatal.
- Puncture Wounds: Lacerations and puncture wounds may occur when working with sharp glass and metal materials or while using dangerous power tools.
These are just a few examples of the common injuries that Winter Haven construction workers may face after an accident. Many workers also experience issues like hearing loss and possibly even vision loss depending on their duties and responsibilities.
Regardless of the cause of your accident, you should not have to suffer physically or financially because of another person or company’s negligence. When Winter Haven construction workers are injured or killed in an accident, our team helps victims claim the compensation that they deserve.
Are Winter Haven Construction Accident Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
In Florida, employers in the construction industry are required to carry workers' compensation insurance if they have one or more employees, including business owners who are corporate officers or Limited Liability Company (LLC) members. This no-fault system provides medical treatment and wage replacement to workers who are injured or become ill while performing job-related duties, without the necessity of proving employer fault.
Typically, workers' compensation covers a percentage of medical expenses and lost wages. However, it does not compensate for non-economic damages such as pain, suffering, or mental anguish. In Florida, injured workers are generally limited to the benefits available under the workers' compensation system, unless specific exceptions apply:
- Employer Misconduct: If the employer's intentional misconduct contributed to the worker's injuries, additional legal action may be pursued.
- Third-Party Liability: If a third party's negligent or wrongful actions caused or contributed to the accident, the injured worker may have grounds for a separate legal claim. Potential third-party defendants include:
- Property owners or lessors
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- Equipment maintenance providers
- Equipment leasing companies
While workers' compensation provides essential benefits, it may not fully cover all losses incurred from a workplace injury. Consulting with an experienced attorney like Adam Kemp and the team at Kemp Injury can help injured construction workers in Winter Haven determine their eligibility for additional compensation beyond standard workers' compensation benefits.
How Can an Experienced Winter Haven Construction Accident Lawyer Help?
When you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a Winter Haven construction accident, you need a dedicated attorney like Adam Kemp and the team at Kemp Injury Law by your side. Having spent time as both a prosecuting attorney and an associate at one of the largest personal injury firms in the country, attorney Adam Kemp has the experience necessary to aggressively pursue justice for injured victims.
After a construction accident, many victims and their families struggle financially due to the high cost of medical bills and the inability to return to work. When another person’s negligence causes you injury at a Winter Haven construction site, we can help you pursue compensation outside of the workers’ compensation system. At Kemp Injury Law, we help clients recover damages such as:
- Medical and hospital expenses
- Rehabilitation and other care costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our team recognizes that these injuries extend beyond just the physical challenges and often present victims with serious emotional and psychological trauma. While pursuing compensation for noneconomic damages in a Florida workers’ compensation claim is difficult, our team can help victims seek compensation for their emotional suffering through a personal injury lawsuit.
An experienced Winter Haven construction accident lawyer can be an indispensable asset in your construction accident case, assisting in a number of different ways, including:
- Assessing your case: Our team isn’t interested in securing a quick settlement. At Kemp Injury Law, we truly want what is best for you and your family. We will help you explore your options and determine the best course of action. Whether that is pursuing compensation through the Florida workers’ compensation system or pursuing legal action, our team is here to provide you with invaluable legal advice.
- Determining liability: If an employer or another coworker is responsible for your injuries, our team will use all resources available to identify a liable party and hold them accountable for their negligent actions.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: We are prepared to handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf. Insurance companies often attempt to offer injured victims a lowball settlement in hopes that they’ll quickly accept their first offer. Our team will advocate on your behalf and ensure that you receive the best possible payout and maximize your compensation.
Our team is also prepared to help our clients pursue a wrongful death lawsuit if they have lost a loved one in a Winter Haven construction accident. You may be entitled to compensation for a loss of companionship, care, support, and a loss of future earnings. At Kemp Injury Law, we also serve injured victims in Winter Haven in personal injury cases involving:
We serve injured victims throughout Winter Haven, Lakeland, and all of Polk County. We take great pride in serving our community and offering legal support to those in need, providing the personalized care and attention that larger firms are often unable to provide. For more information about how the team at Kemp Injury Law can help you pursue the maximum compensation after a Winter Haven construction accident, contact us today and schedule a free consultation.
Contact Kemp Injury Law if You’ve Been Injured in a Winter Haven Construction Accident
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a construction accident, contact an experienced Winter Haven construction accident attorney at Kemp Injury Law to discuss your legal options. Our team takes great pride in helping injured victims and their families seek justice, holding responsible parties liable for their negligence and recovering the maximum compensation available to help you move forward.
