Construction Accident Attorney in West Palm Beach
A construction site accident lawyer, West Palm Beach workers, rely on should be one of your first calls if you have suffered an injury. Construction workers are particularly susceptible to sustain injuries while at work, there are several hazards and safety risks that a construction site might pose. As a result, damages can be substantial, utterly devastating workers and their families. It would help if you had the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt for many critical reasons. We know the days ahead will be full of challenges, and choosing a lawyer with experience in this area of practice should be one of your priorities. Please get started by scheduling a consultation with one of our lawyers to protect your rights.
Construction Jobs Are Dangerous
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), of all work-related fatalities in the year 2018, 21% of those accidents occurred on construction sites. The following accidents, also known as the “Fatal Four,” contributed to 58% of those accidents:
- Being Caught In Between Objects
- Being Struck by an Object
- Falls
- Electrocutions
In efforts to reduce the number of injuries and accidents that occur on construction sites, employers are charged with protecting their workforce by providing safety education, protective equipment, and more.
Reasons You Need a Lawyer After a Construction Accident
One of the first and most important steps you can take is to contact a West Palm Beach construction site accident lawyer after you have been injured in an accident. The guidance they will be able to provide you with is critical. Here are some reasons to consider the services of a lawyer to represent you in your case:
- Should your employer or insurance company deny your claim, we can negotiate the compensation you deserve.
- You believe that your injuries were the result of negligence on the part of your supervisor or a third party.
- In some cases, workers’ compensation may not cover the full extent of your losses.
- We can help guide you when speaking with your employer and the insurance company so that you don’t say anything damaging to your case.
You deserve to maximize the benefits you are entitled to after an injury in the workplace. We can help you get the results you deserve during a time that may be incredibly difficult and full of unknowns.
Meet Our Team
When searching for an experienced lawyer in your area, you must conduct the proper research to ensure that you have chosen the right lawyer. We are confident that once you begin your search, you will find that the services and experience available at the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt will leave you confident that you are in our capable hands. We know that this is a big decision, so we offer prospective clients the opportunity for a complimentary consultation with our team. This will give you the ability to ask questions and get a feel for how we might manage your case. To schedule a meeting with our West Palm Beach, Florida construction site accident lawyer, call our office today!
If you’ve sustained an injury due to an accident on a construction site, you might be searching for a top construction site accident attorney West Palm Beach has to offer. At the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt, we understand that construction site accidents can be severe and life-altering. Our legal team is dedicated to serving the local community of West Palm Beach, and we want to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Construction Site Accidents Are Common
There are many regulations and safety policies in place that are intended to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on construction sites. Nevertheless, as an experienced construction site accident attorney West Palm Beach residents respect might attest, construction site accidents are more common than most may think.
Accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, including when a company fails to abide by required safety protocols or when workers are using defective equipment. In some cases, it’s possible for an accident to happen because there were engineering issues on the site. As a seasoned construction site accident attorney West Palm Beach trusts might explain, construction site accidents can happen regardless of site type, size, or location.
Responsibility for the Accident Might Not Be Clear
Liability can be complicated when a construction site accident occurs. While it may seem like the construction company should be held responsible for any injury occurring on their site, as experienced West Palm Beach construction site accident attorneys, we understand that multiple entities could potentially be held liable. Depending on how the accident occurred or if the construction company hired independent contractors, a third-party company might be fully or partially liable. If an accident occurs because of a defective piece of equipment, the company responsible for designing and/or producing the equipment might be held accountable. Independent engineering or design firms might also be liable if the accident occurred because of a design flaw.
Injured Workers May Wish To File An Injury Lawsuit
Liability issues can complicate an injury claim. If an employee is injured while working on a construction site, they may first seek financial compensation through a workers’ compensation policy. An experienced West Palm Beach construction site accident attorney may be able to help expedite the resolution to this kind of dispute, and find additional at-fault parties who should be held responsible for their part in the accident and your injury.
How Fault is Determined in Construction Accidents
Out of all U.S. industries, the construction industry has the highest rates of workplace injuries and deaths. Some are the result of basic causes, like a lack of training, and others are more complex and stem from a number of factors. Likewise, construction accidents may be an unforeseeable accident or the fault of the injured person; however, many involve the negligence or wrongdoing of another person or entity. When this is true, the injured worker, or their family, may be able to file a civil personal injury claim against the at fault party’s. You should only do so with the guidance of the most trusted Construction Accident Attorney West Palm Beach has to offer. The dedicated team at the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt understands the immaculate challenges and pitfalls that tend to rise in these types of claims. If you are ready to explore your legal options, please call a construction accident attorney from our West Palm Beach firm now.
Who Could Be at Fault
The following are parties that could be held liable, or partially liable, – for a construction accident:
The Owner of the Construction Site – The responsibility a construction site owner has will depend on the type of accident, how it happened, and what work was being done at the time of the injury. In some cases, your Construction Accident Attorney from our West Palm Beach location will discover that the owner is absolutely 100% liable, while in other cases, a large degree of involvement on part of separate parties will be a factor. In general, when the injury involves a fall from a scaffold or ladder, the owner is held liable.
General Contractor – Usually, the general contractor of a construction site has a duty to ensure it is reasonably safe. They are also required to inspect the area and inform workers of possible hazards or dangers. This person is responsible for hiring trained workers who have the necessary skill and should be enforcing OSHA safety regulations. Failing to adhere to any of these duties could make the general contractor liable for a worker’s injury.
Subcontractor – Most subcontractors have similar responsibilities to those of a general contractor. The difference is that their accountability is limited to the area of the site that they have charge over.
Architects, Design Professionals, and Engineers – These workers have different responsibilities, and are often dependent upon the contract between them and the owner of the site. Design professionals typically are responsible for ensuring inspections are conducted at random, and also that the building is being built in accordance with safety and building codes as well as the building plans. Architects and engineers must ensure their own services are being properly adhered to. Should any of these standards fail, and cause harm to an individual, it is recommended that you call the best Construction Accident Attorney West Palm Beach has to offer to take legal action against the party.
Equipment Manufacturer – In a small number of cases, an injury happens because of a defective piece of equipment or machinery. In this situation, the lawyer may pursue a claim against the manufacturer or distributor of the defective product.
Who Could Be Liable After a Construction Accident Injury?
A construction accident lawyer West Palm Beach, FL residents trust from the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt have been representing victims of construction accidents for many years. We understand the devastation that can ensue when something goes awry at a construction site, and that workers risk their health everyday for the sake of the job. However, just because the field of construction tends to be more risky than others, it doesn’t mean that an employee should have to suffer the burden after a workplace injury accident.
If you or someone you love has been impacted by a construction accident, then it’s time to obtain qualified legal representation from a construction accident lawyer West Palm Beach, FL workers trust during difficult times.
What Types of Injuries Are Common For Construction Accidents?
The luckiest of workers will be able to walk away from a construction accident with minor injuries that rest and a first aid kit can fix. But unfortunately, for most this isn’t the case. Injuries for construction-related accidents tend to be very severe, and often require emergency medical care. The worker may experience extreme pain and have a long road of recovery ahead of them. The types of injuries that tend to be most common after a construction accident include:
- Electrocution
- Burns
- Eye injury
- Neck, shoulder and back injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Illness from chemical exposure
- Brain/head injury
- Emotional trauma
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
What Does Recovery Look Like?
Depending on the type and severity of injuries, a worker may recover quickly or need several years to fully heal. And even then, they may not be able to get back to the health they were prior to the accident. An employee may have to learn how to live in a new way, especially if they now have a disability or other impairment that impacts their quality of life. If your injuries surpass what your standard first aid kit can provide, then it’s time to get legal help from a construction accident lawyer West Palm Beach, FL families can rely on to fight for their behalf. You may be entitled to significant compensation for medical bills, future expenses, equipment, medication, physical therapy, surgery, pain and suffering, and more.
Can I Sue My Employer?
Employers are responsible for providing a working environment that is reasonably safe for their workers. If they fail to fix hazards in the workplace, then they could be held liable. But, the situation can become complicated as if your employer has a workers’ compensation program, then you may not be able to sue them directly. The most effective way to know how to respond is to meet with a member of our team right away, who will surely have your best of interest at heart.
Who Could Be Liable After a Construction Accident Injury?
If you were injured in a construction site, contact the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt to meet with a skilled construction accident lawyer West Palm Beach, FL workers trust. Our legal team can assist you in pursuing a claim for one of the following legal actions, depending on the circumstance of your case:
- Workers’ compensation: State law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to provide benefits for injured workers. These benefits include medical expenses and wages. If an injured employee is approved and receives workers’ compensation benefits, they are not allowed to file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer, however, the injured employee may file a third-party injury claim depending on how and why the injury occurred.
- Personal injury claim or lawsuit: A worker injured on a construction site can file a personal injury claim against the third party deemed negligent for the injury or illness the worker has suffered.
- Product liability claim or lawsuit: If the injury was a result of a defective product, the injured worker can file a lawsuit against the liable party, including the manufacturer, the distributor, the wholesaler, or the retailer.
- Wrongful death claim or lawsuit: If the employee dies as a result of the injury they sustain on the construction site, their family or other representative can file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party or parties.
A construction accident lawyer knows that there are certain factors that are responsible for many construction site accidents. Federal regulations require employers to apply for permits, implement safety programs on the job site in order to lower the risks of construction site accidents, and conduct regular inspections on the site. When an employer fails to do any of these things, it puts workers in danger of being injured. The most common causes of these accident include:
- Collapsed structures
- Compressed gases
- Crane accidents
- Defective equipment
- Electrical accidents
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Falling objects
- Falls from elevations
- Fires and explosions
- Harness accidents
- Hoist accidents
- Improper use or maintenance of equipment
- Insufficient training
- Mechanical hazards
- Misuse of tools
- Poor safety precautions and oversight
- Scaffolding accidents
- Slips and falls
- Welding accidents
A construction accident lawyer West Palm Beach, FL injured workers trust can evaluate your case, determine who the liable party is, and what the best legal options are. Your attorney will also determine what losses the injury has caused you and what damages you may be entitled to. Some of the more common damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income and benefits
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of future income
Under the laws of the federal government (OSHA), there is certain information that workers have a right to, including:
- The right to ask OSHA to inspect the construction site without the consequences of discrimination or retaliation
- Request training and information about the hazards and dangers on the site, how to prevent injury from these hazards, and any federal standards that have oversight of the work site.
- Request test results that were conducted for any hazards at the construction site.
- Request records of any job-related injuries or illnesses.
In addition to filing an injury claim on your behalf, your construction site attorney can also file a complaint for you with OSHA. To find out more information, contact the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt to see how we can help with your situation.
Who Is Responsible?
If an injury occurs, construction site employees have the right to claim financial compensation from their employer. However, as any experienced attorney should know, construction zones can be chaotic and there may be other entities at fault. Whether it is a private or public entity, you may have a potential third party lawsuit in addition to a workers’ compensation claim.
To even further complicate matters, some construction companies outsource to contractors, use day labor or leasing companies to obtain workers at a discount. When construction companies outsource jobs and rent equipment in order to avoid too much overhead, accidents may occur.
Various parties that could potentially be held liable for a construction accident injury might include:
- The construction site owner
- The general contracting company
- One or more sub-contracting companies
- Specialty “prime” contractors
- Architects and/or engineers on the project
- The company that rented out any piece of equipment that caused the injury
- The companies that designed, manufactured, or sold any equipment that caused the injury
If an injured employee is unsure which party should be held liable, it may be beneficial to contact a construction accident lawyer West Palm Beach, FL injured employees trust for legal counsel.
How Can a West Palm Beach Construction Accident Lawyer Help?
It can be difficult to deal with an injury claim alone, and the complexities inherent to a construction site can only further confuse a victim’s understanding of their own claim. We may be able to provide assistance in a varietyof ways, including:
- Determining which party (or parties) should be held liable;
- Calculating a reasonable settlement;
- Organizing all necessary evidence in the case.
Choose an Experienced Construction Accident Lawyer You Can Trust
At the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt, our team of lawyers has provided valuable legal counsel to many local residents who have suffered from injuries at work. We understand that these cases can be particularly difficult, but we believe that accident victims and their families deserve to receive fair compensation after experiencing a traumatic injury at the workplace.
Any insurance policy offered by the construction site, or aforementioned party’s, should be scrutinized by your Construction Accident Attorney from our West Palm Beach firm. It should include employer’s liability, workers’ compensation, premise liability, and/or commercial liability. If the policy does not, a lawyer might file a claim directly against the insurance company.
As you might notice, these claims are very complex and tend to involve many circumstances. It is important you choose a construction accident lawyer who has the time, financial resources, dedication, and knowledge to ensure you get maximum compensation. Choose the most dedicated Construction Accident Attorney West Palm Beach can provide, choose the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt.
Client Review
“Lisa and kim are the greatest kept me updated on everything with my case very nice people always called back or emailed me info definitely will refer anyone to this firm thanks guys jerome “
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