Construction Accidents

Third-Party Liability for Work Injuries Highlighted in Acrobat Injury Settlement

January 4, 2021 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

Eight acrobats who suffered life-altering injuries in a 2014 circus accident in which they fell 20 feet while hanging from their hair reached a $52 million settlement last month with the owner of the arena where it occurred. Notably, the Florida-based circus that employed them was not named as a defendant in that case. West Palm Beach injury lawyer

As our South Florida injury lawyers can explain, much of that has to do with the fact that state workers’ compensation laws stipulate that workers’ comp insurance is the exclusive remedy against an employer for work-related injuries. That doesn’t necessarily mean people who are seriously injured on-the-job don’t have alternative claims against third parties. This type of claim is more common in hazardous professions like construction, truck driving, warehousing, nursing, etc., where workers are often contracted to work at that location by another company. Continue reading

$45 Million Verdict for Parents of Medical Student Killed in West Palm Beach Crash

November 5, 2017 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

A chain reaction tractor-trailer crash in West Palm Beach that injured one and killed two – including a 29-year-old medical student – recently resulted in a $45 million verdict in favor of the med student’s parents. truck accident lawyer

As our West Palm Beach truck accident attorneys can explain, these kinds of cases tend to result in higher verdicts and settlements than your typical car accident lawsuit for several reasons, including:

Because of the size disparity between large trucks and passenger cars, any collisions between the two are likely to result in severe injuries to occupants of the smaller vehicle. More severe injuries and deaths are a greater loss to the victim and loved ones.
Anytime a trucking company or construction firm is involved in a personal injury or wrongful death, there are usually numerous defendants, many with varying degrees of liability.
Trucking companies and construction firms – particularly construction companies that work roadside – carry high liability insurance policies. Although insurance coverage does not determine the amount of damages (courts are often careful to make sure jurors aren’t informed of the existence or amount of this coverage, as it’s considered prejudicial), the fact that it’s there improves the chances that if high damages are awarded, they will actually be paid. Florida requires passenger vehicle motorists to be financially responsible for a minimum of $20,000 in bodily injury (which is paid in addition to personal injury protection – PIP – benefits of up to $10,000). Meanwhile, federal law requires all truckers to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Those that haul hazmat materials have to carry at least $5 million.

OSHA Investigating Crane Collapse that Killed Coconut Creek Worker

June 23, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

Last week in Lighthouse Point, a Florida crane accident claimed the life of 43-year-old construction worker Albert Phillips. Phillips’ legs were pinned under the fallen crane and coworkers used equipment on the ground to lift the crane off of him before emergency rescuers arrived at the scene of the accident.

Phillips was transported to North Broward Medical Center and gave his coworkers a thumbs-up sign as he was being carried away to indicate that he would be OK. The worker and father of three was pronounced dead on Tuesday evening, according to Lighthouse Point police.

Phillips’ employer, Ray Qualmann Marine, canceled work at the accident site on Wednesday out of respect for the deceased worker. The assistant area director for OSHA’s Fort Lauderdale office said Phillips’ death was the third workplace fatality this year in Broward as of Wednesday. The crane collapse remains under investigation.

OSHA investigates fatal Lighthouse Point crane collapse, South Florida Sun Sentinel, June 17, 2009 Continue reading

South Florida Man Killed in Construction Accident

May 5, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

Last week, an early morning industrial accident in South Miami-Dade killed a South Florida construction worker. A telescoping arm connected to a concrete pump truck fell on the 67-year-old man, killing him instantly as he worked on the ground. He had worked for C&C Concrete for the past five years. A supervisor said he is still trying to figure out what caused the machinery accident.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, rescue personnel arrived after receiving a call around 9am and found that a constructions worker had been crushed beneath the arm of the concrete pumping device. A construction worker who witnessed the accident said it looked like the first section broke off. Crews were building businesses and condos for a new mixed-use development across the street from the Dadeland Mall.

The Miami-Dade police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said they will investigate the fatal construction accident.

Construction Worker Killed In Accident, CBS4.com, April 27, 2009 Continue reading

Fort Lauderdale Construction Accident Injures Two Workers

April 10, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, two construction workers were injured at the Pine Crest School after a large sheet of steel fell on them. Officials said the men were trying to guide a 12-foot-by-5-foot sheet of steel through the construction site when it fell. The construction accident occurred at the private school campus at 1501 NE 62nd Street.

Police have not released the names of the injured construction workers. One of the men, a 53-year-old, was taken to North Broward Medical Center to receive treatment for severe leg injuries. The other man, age 47, was transported to Holy Cross Hospital, according to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials.

No other injuries were reported.

Two workers injured in construction accident at Fort Lauderdale private school, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, April 9, 2009 Continue reading

Construction Company Sued in Florida Wrongful Death of Man Killed by Truck in 11-Vehicle Collision on I-75

August 22, 2008 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

In Florida, the family of Sarasota resident James Brashear is suing Zep Construction for his wrongful death. Brashear is one of two victims that died in a deadly 11-vehicle collision on Interstate-85 last October.

The families of the two men settled their wrongful death claims with the insurer of the semitrailer driver that drove into stopped traffic. Brashear’s family, however, says the Fort Myer’s construction company is liable for his death because its workers did not warn drivers that there was a closed lane on the freeway.

The construction roadblock had stopped traffic and there were no visible signs indicating the delay, which made it a challenge to react to the roadblock and the stopped traffic after driving through the overpass at speeds of 70 mph or greater. A construction supervisor would later tell the media that warning signs intended for the drivers had been moved on the day of the accident.

Two Florida Workers Suffer Electrical Shock Injuries in Two Separate Work Accidents

August 15, 2008 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

In Broward County last month, two Florida workers were hospitalized after they sustained electrical shock injuries in two separate work accidents on July 16. One man in Pompano Beach fell from a tree after coming into contact with electrical wires while trimming branches.

In another accident, a construction worker in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea was admitted to the hospital in critical condition after also being shocked by an electrical wire. Both men were admitted to North Broward Medical Center.

The construction worker, who was remodeling a home, came into contact with an electrical line while trying to relocate an air duct in the attic of the house. He became trapped in a tight crawl space and workers had to cut through the ceiling to retrieve him.

If you or someone you love was injured in an electrical shock accident, you may be able to obtain personal injury compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, medical and recovery costs, and other damages. While a construction worker or another employee injured on the job cannot file a personal injury claim against his or her employer, there may be third parties that can be held liable for the injury accident.

For example, property owners must make sure that exposed electrical wiring and other hazards on the premise are either secured, removed, or repaired so no one gets hurt or dies. Failure to provide a hazard-free environment can lead to a premises liability lawsuit if the owner knew or should have known about an unsafe condition but did nothing to remedy the situation.

Electrical Shock
Direct exposure to an electrical current can result in an electrical injury to the internal organs or the skin. Electrical shock can lead to thermal burns, damage to the tissue, nerve, or muscles, cardiac arrest, or death.

Two men shocked by electrical wires in separate incidents, Sun-Sentinel.com, August 14, 2008
Electrical Injury, NIH.gov

Related Web Resources:

Electrical Shock Injuries, HealthAtoZ.com
Premises Liability Overview, Justia.com
In South Florida, our personal injury law firm represents clients that have been seriously injured in accidents caused by another party’s negligence.
Continue reading

Another Florida Worker is Injured In Crane Collapse Accident

June 30, 2008 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

In Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, a 77-year-old worker got hurt when the truck with a 100-foot lift that he was operating turned over. The truck was being used for a routine roof maintenance work.

This is the fifth crane-related accident in South Florida in the last six months. Earlier this month in Miami, a father and son were almost seriously hurt when part of a 318-foot crane collapsed. Also in Miami, five construction workers got hurt and two others died when a portion of the crane dropped 30 floors and smashed into a house. Several days later, two men got hurt in Aventura when a small crane fell onto the roof of a building. Fortunately, no one was hurt in Ft. Lauderdale when, a few days later, part of a crane buckled as workers tried to transport a dumpster.

Construction accidents can lead to serious injuries for workers, many of whom are left with catastrophic injuries, such as severed limbs, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

Our Florida construction accident lawyers are familiar with the special laws that govern construction sites and we can determine whether anyone-such as a contractor or the manufacturer of a defective machine, tool, or vehicle-acted negligently to cause your injury accident.

Crane accidents are a major cause of injuries and fatalities at construction sites.

Common causes of crane accidents:

• Rigging failure
• Improper crane assembly/dismantling
• Improper crane maintenance
• Improper training to work on a crane
• Defective cranes or crane parts

Contact our Florida construction accident lawyers to find out about your legal options. You may be entitled to recovery for medical expenses, pain and suffering, rehabilitation expenses, and other losses.

Crane Topples Over At Construction Site, CBS4.com, June 24, 2008
Truck with attached crane at Florida mall maintenance job flips, TMC.net, June 24, 2008

Related Web Resources:

OSHA

Accidents highlight crane safety issues, BusinessInsurance.com Continue reading