Were you injured on a construction site in Miami, FL? Recovering fair compensation isn’t always easy. Having an experienced Miami construction accident lawyer in your corner is critical. Our team at Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
We have over 28 years of experience advocating for injured workers in South Florida. We’ve recovered over $100 million for accident victims and their families–and we’re ready to fight for you.
While workers’ compensation offers important protection, you may also have rights under Florida personal injury laws. Contact our law offices in Miami, Florida, at (407) 648-1510 to learn more about your legal options today.
How Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Construction Accident in Miami
Construction injury cases aren’t always straightforward. Workers’ compensation is meant to protect injured workers. Unfortunately, these laws tend to be complex.
Without quality legal representation, it can be tough to get the full benefits you deserve–and you could be entitled to even more compensation if you’re eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Our Miami personal injury attorneys can help you navigate the entire process. Trusting us with your case gives you an experienced attorney who will:
- Conduct a full investigation into your accident
- Identify all responsible parties
- Evaluate your situation to determine the types of benefits you are entitled to receive
- Assess your case value
- Defend you against claims that your injuries were not work-related
- Protect you if your doctor tries to force you back to work before you’ve recovered
- Handle all paperwork
- Negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf for a full settlement
After a serious injury, you shouldn’t have to deal with insurance companies that will try to minimize and undervalue your claim. Let our Miami personal injury lawyers handle the legal issues. Call for a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you maximize your financial recovery.
How Common Are Construction Accidents in Florida?
According to the data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 1,056 workers in the construction and extraction industries were killed on the job in 2022. Overall, 90 of those fatal construction accidents occurred in the State of Florida.
Of course, most construction injuries aren’t fatal. According to the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, 5,545 construction-related injury claims were made during 2022.
Common Types of Construction Injury Cases
The most common types of construction accidents in Florida involve slip and fall accidents, transportation accidents, exposure to toxic substances and contact with objects or equipment.
At Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re prepared to handle any type of construction injury claim, including:
- Scaffolding falls
- Falls from ladders, roofs, and other heights
- Excavation accidents
- Building collapse
- Scaffolding collapse
- Accidents involving cranes, forklifts, and other types of heavy machinery
- Welding accidents
- Nail gun accidents
- Electrocution
- Heavy lifting
- Accidents where you’re caught between two objects or hit by an object
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Fires
- Explosions
- Retaining wall collapses
Contact our Miami construction attorneys today if you were injured on the job. We’ll do everything possible to get the maximum compensation you deserve.
How Do I Get Compensation After a Construction Accident in Miami?
Typically, filing a workers’ compensation claim will be your first step. Florida law requires construction industry employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance if they have even one employee.
Workers’ compensation is meant to compensate injured workers for work-related injuries without the need for costly and time-consuming litigation. In exchange for the ability to recover compensation without proving someone else caused your injuries, you give up the right to sue your employer (though there are exceptions for limited cases).
That said, not all construction injuries happen because of employer negligence. If a third party caused your injuries, you keep your right to sue for damages.
For example, you may have a valid lawsuit under Florida personal injury laws if your injuries happened because:
- A negligent driver injured you in a traffic accident while you were on the job
- A third-party property owner failed to maintain their premises in safe condition
- A manufacturer sold defective work equipment or safety gear
Maximizing your compensation award can be extremely important if you are seriously hurt. A lawyer can help you understand your rights under both workers’ compensation laws and personal injury laws.
What Is My Miami Construction Accident Case Worth?
The value of your workers’ compensation claim depends on the following factors:
- The cost of your medical care
- Your average wages prior to the disability
- The length of your recovery period
- Whether you are totally or partially disabled
- Whether your earning capacity is diminished by a permanent disability
If you’re completely unable to work, you’ll receive about ⅔ of your average wages. However, your weekly check is also capped by state law. In 2024, your benefits are limited to $1,260.
Workers’ comp is meant to cover financial losses associated with a workplace injury. You may be entitled to additional compensation if you can file a lawsuit. In personal injury cases, factors like damage to your quality of life, your pain and suffering, and emotional trauma are all taken into account when assessing your case value.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims in Florida?
Florida workers’ compensation laws provide benefits for:
- Reasonable medical expenses
- Total temporary disability (TTD) benefits if you cannot work during recovery
- Total partial disability (TPD) benefits if you can perform restricted duties
- Impairment income benefits (IIB) if your earnings are permanently reduced due to the injury
- Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits if you can never work again
- Death benefits in fatal injury cases
Under state personal injury laws, you can seek compensation for the full value of your economic damages and non-economic damages, including:
- Any medical bills workers’ compensation denies
- 100% of your lost wages and lost future earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Nursing assistance
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Loss of consortium
If the at-fault party’s acts were particularly shocking or malicious, you may also recover punitive damages as punishment.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer To Handle My Construction Accident Case?
Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers operates entirely on a contingency fee basis. The amount you pay depends on the value of your compensation award. When you hire us, you’ll agree to pay a percentage of the money we’re able to recover in your case.
If we don’t recover compensation, you don’t pay us attorney’s fees. You also can hire us with no upfront costs.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Being Blamed for a Construction Accident in Florida?
Workers’ comp is a no-fault system. Because you give up your right to sue your employer, you can recover damages even if you were responsible for the accident.
In personal injury cases, Florida follows modified comparative negligence laws. You only lose your right to compensation if you were more than 50% responsible for your injuries. When you share some, but not most, of the blame, your compensation is reduced by your share of fault.
Our Attorneys in Miami Are Ready To Fight for All of Your Construction Accident Injuries
The construction industry is extremely dangerous. Workers are vulnerable to all types of injuries when people are careless.
Some common examples of construction injuries include:
- Severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Burns
- Hearing loss
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
These injuries can, of course, interfere with your ability to work. They can also leave you struggling with major life changes.
What Causes Most Construction Accidents in Miami?
Construction accidents are most likely to occur because of:
- Lack of proper safety equipment
- Violation of state and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations
- Communication failures
- Failure to properly train and supervise workers in using heavy machinery and tools
- Dangerous property conditions
- Exposure to live electricity
- Negligently installed scaffolding
- Failure to properly maintain work equipment and tools
- Missing machine guards
- Lack of fall protection
It’s important to know who and what caused your injuries. The cause of your accident will help us determine who is responsible and whether you have the right to file a lawsuit for damages.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Construction Accident in Florida?
In Florida, your workers’ comp claim may be denied if you don’t report the injury to a supervisor within 30 days. Once your employer is notified, they have seven days to notify the insurance company.
In personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years in Florida. You must file your lawsuit against a third party within two years of the injury. If you fail to take action, you lose your right to damages entirely.
There are rare exceptions that can adjust these time limits; get in touch with us today for help filing a claim.
Call a Miami Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Were you injured on a construction site in Miami? Call to schedule a free consultation at (407) 648-1510 with a Miami construction accident lawyer today. At Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we have the tools to help you recover every dollar you deserve.