Common Construction Site Injuries
And how to recover workers’ compensation benefits in Florida after suffering one.
Miami, FL—Construction sites are among some of the most dangerous places to work in Florida. Employees are often required to work at elevated heights, below ground level, or in areas where they must work around hazardous chemicals/materials. It is for this reason that employers must ensure they are complying with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) safety standards so that their workers’ safety is not put in jeopardy.
As cautious and careful as employees may be while working at a construction site, accidents still happen and often result in one or more of the following injuries being sustained:
- Injuries from falls.
Falls are one of the top four causes of construction fatalities and injuries.1 Falls can happen when an employee is not properly trained to work in the field or is provided with damaged or defective equipment. A fall can result in an employee suffering a fracture, head or back injury, or even a spinal cord injury. If a worker falls and is harmed, they are generally entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim with their employer’s insurer.
- Struck-by injuries.
Construction workers are often required to work around moving objects or heavy equipment. Again, if they are not properly trained to work around these objects or use this equipment, they are more likely to suffer a struck-by injury.
- Caught-in/between injuries.
In addition to working from elevated heights, construction workers are sometimes required to perform tasks in a trench or excavation site. Because there is always the chance that these ditches or holes could collapse, trapping a worker under the gravel, employees must ensure they have been provided with necessary safety equipment.
An employee who becomes trapped while working in a trench or at an excavation site may suffer fractures or asphyxiation.
- Electrocution injuries.
Working around utility poles and power lines is risky business which is why electrocution injuries are considered one of the more common types of injuries that are sustained in the construction industry.
Recovering workers’ compensation benefits after suffering a construction site injury in Miami, FL
If an employee in Miami suffered an injury at a construction site, they may be entitled to collect workers’ compensation benefits. Benefits are provided in the form of medical care and cash benefits. Cash benefits, often referred to as wage replacement benefits, are provided to employees who miss more than seven days of work due to their injuries and have medical proof that indicates this.
Employees can start the workers’ compensation process by notifying their employer of their work-related injury. Construction workers should be aware that they are required to notify their employer of their work accident within 30 days of it occurring. If an employee runs into an issue while trying to recover workers’ comp benefits, they are invited to contact Mario Trespalacios P.A.
Mario Trespalacios P.A. helps injured workers obtain the benefits they are due
The Miami, FL workers’ compensation lawyers at Mario Trespalacios P.A. understand the physical and financial effects a work accident can have on an individual and their family. If an employee is not receiving the benefits they are entitled to or their claim is being delayed, Mario Trespalacios P.A. is prepared to help get the problem resolved.
Mario Trespalacios P.A. can be contacted at:
9495 SW 72 Street, Suite B-275
Miami, FL 33173
Phone: 305-261-5800
Website: www.mtpalegal.com
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