A Construction Site Accident Lawyer Fort Pierce Workers Turn To
As a construction site accident lawyer Fort Pierce workers rely on, our attorneys at the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt are available 24/7 for informational and legal assistance. We are highly experienced at helping workplace injury victims, including construction workers injured on job sites, and want to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Construction is a high-risk vocation. The dangerous tools, often chaotic environment, heavy machinery, and fast paced work makes being a construction worker one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 1 in 10 construction workers sustains some kind of work-related injury every year. Some of the most common accidents, as any top construction site accident lawyer Fort Pierce has to offer may agree, involve:
Five Common Construction Accidents
- Falls. In 2014, falls accounted for 39.9% of all construction worker deaths. Non-fatal injuries from falls can be extremely serious. As confirmed by a construction site accident lawyer Fort Pierce residents trust, injuries from falls may include:
- Paralysis due to spinal cord damage. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent.
- Traumatic brain injury. This can affect motor function, memory, and create sudden mood swings, among other symptoms.
- Broken bones in the limbs, neck, and back.
- Sprained or torn ligaments, ankles, and muscle tissue.
- Electrocution. Electrical accidents on construction sites accounted for 8.5% of all construction worker fatalities in 2014. A Fort Pierce construction site accident lawyer has likely seen many non-fatal injuries due to electrocution. The legal team at the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt works hard to win accident victims a full and fair settlement.
- Struck by an object. Workers who were struck by an object and died as a result totalled 8.4% of construction fatalities. Objects that can potentially injure or kill construction workers include:
- Drywall or plywood panels
- Lumber or other construction materials such as metal studs
- Metal or PVC piping
- Hand tools that fall from platforms, scaffolding, or framework
- Caught in or in-between. More than one percent of construction fatalities in 2014 were caused by workers getting caught between two objects or caught inside something. Scenarios include:
- Crushed by machinery or construction materials
- Caught between an elevator and the surrounding wall or floor
- Transportation related. This is a broad category that includes:
- Operation of cranes, bulldozers, rollers, plows, and many other types of vehicles that can injure construction workers.
- Construction workers using official vehicles to move between job sites or run job errands may get injured en route.
If you need a construction site accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, contact the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation during which we can discuss the unique factors of your situation. Call us today at the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt and let us provide you with an experienced construction site accident lawyer Fort Pierce workers trust.
If you were working as an independent contractor when you were hurt on a construction jobsite, please connect with a construction site accident attorney Fort Pierce residents trust, and please do so as soon as you possibly can. As you may know by now, independent contractors aren’t – as a rule – eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, they are generally able to file personal injury claims as a means to receiving compensation for the harm they have suffered. Additionally, it may be possible to file a workers’ compensation if your status as an independent contractor has been misclassified.
When Independent Contractors Are Hurt Working Construction
Let’s look at the misclassification scenario first. Full-time and part-time workers are usually referred to as “employees.” By contrast, those workers who aren’t officially employed by an organization but perform paid work for that organization are generally classified as independent contractors. Unsure if you’re an independent contractor or not? Look at your latest paycheck. Did the organization that hired you withhold taxes from your income? If not, you’re classified as an independent contractor. Sometimes, companies either intentionally or unintentionally misclassify workers as independent contractors when they are – in reality – employees. If you’ve been misclassified (intentionally or unintentionally), you are entitled to certain benefits that you’re not yet receiving. One of these benefits is workers’ compensation coverage. The experienced Fort Piece construction site accident attorney team at our firm can determine whether you’ve been misclassified and are therefore potentially entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in the wake of your accident.
Assuming that you haven’t been misclassified, you’re probably not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, you can likely submit one or more personal injury claims in the wake of your accident. This process progresses much like a car accident claim does. After speaking with the experienced Florida legal team at the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt, you’ll decide whether you want us to negotiate an insurance claim on your behalf and/or sue one or more of the parties that caused you harm. Depending on the unique circumstances surrounding your accident, you may be in a position to sue your employer, the manufacturer of defective construction equipment, a driver who struck you while you were working on a road crew, etc. There may also be more than one insurance company invested in your accident. Once you understand your options and choose the one that makes the most sense for you and your family, our firm will get to work protecting your rights and seeking any compensation to which you may be entitled.
Legal Assistance Is Available
You don’t have to deal with the legal and financial challenges of your accident alone. Our firm is here to help you understand your options and to advocate on your behalf once you decide how you would like to proceed. Please connect with our experienced Fort Piece construction site accident attorney team at our firm today to learn more.