Florida Construction Accident Attorney
Construction work is one of the most important jobs fueling economic growth in Miami and Florida statewide. It is also one of the most dangerous occupations that exist. Construction work doesn’t have to be as dangerous as it is, though, which makes many needless deaths and catastrophic injuries so tragic. If site owners and contractors exercised proper care and provided workers with safety equipment, training and adequate supervision, construction accidents could be vastly reduced. The Florida construction accident attorneys at Halpern Santos & Pinkert, P.A. devote themselves to obtaining justice for construction accident victims, seeing that they get the medical care and compensation they need and deserve after being injured on the job in a construction accident caused by the negligence of the contractor, developer or third party.
Our comprehensive construction accident practice helps workers injured in any of the following instances:
Ladder Falls and Scaffold Collapses – Falls are the leading cause of death on construction sites. Unsafe practices on and around ladders and scaffolds include using defective equipment and untrained workers. Scaffolds may be negligently erected by contractors or third-parties. Ladders may be set up incorrectly or improperly secured. Unsecured objects falling from scaffolds may also injure or kill workers below.
Forklifts and Cranes – Heavy equipment is present on most construction sites and has the capacity to cause serious injury or death. Crane operations are complex procedures which require skill and care to set up and execute properly. Not only must forklift and crane operators be skilled and properly trained, but all workers on a jobsite need adequate training about working with and around forklifts and cranes. Backup warning lights and alarms must be functioning to prevent serious or fatal backover accidents. Overloading forklifts or cranes can cause them to drop their loads or topple over, often resulting in multiple injuries or deaths. Getting caught in or between heavy equipment is one of construction’s “Fatal Four” most deadly accidents, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Trenching and Excavation – Most construction projects involve some sort of digging operations. Any trench or excavation more than a few feet wide or deep must meet important OSHA requirements for shoring and ventilation to prevent collapse, asphyxiation or explosion from accumulation of dangerous gas. A cubic yard of dirt weighs well over a ton, and a negligently maintained trench wall can collapse in a matter of seconds.
Electrocution – Shock and electrocution injuries, if not fatal, can cause lasting damage to the heart, brain, muscles and nerves. Electrocution accidents are responsible for the most deaths on construction sites after falls, and some falls themselves are the result of contact with electricity. All electrical equipment must be properly grounded, and workers on metal objects such as scaffolds must be provided with appropriate safety equipment and training to avoid contact with overhead power lines, underground cables and other sources of high-voltage electricity.
The following were the most frequently cited OSHA standards violations in 2017 in construction and general industry:
- Fall protection
- Hazard communication
- Scaffolding
- Respiratory protection
- Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)
- Ladders
- Powered industrial trucks
- Machinery and Machine Guarding
- Fall Protection–Training Requirements
- Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment
Help is Available after a Serious Florida Construction Accident
Those responsible for maintaining safety on a construction site can be held liable for their negligence. The Florida construction accident attorneys at Halpern Santos & Pinkert, P.A. have decades of experience helping accident victims recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. After a serious construction accident in Florida, call our office in Coral Gables/Miami at 305-445-1111 or toll-free at 877-529-6211. We’re here for you with a free consultation, and there is no fee unless we win compensation for you.
