According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no other occupation presents a higher risk of serious injury or fatality than construction labor. Heavy equipment, falls from high places and electrical current are just a few of the potentially dangerous hazards encountered by those in the construction trade.

The Florida construction accident lawyers at Freeman & Mallard know that so many hard-working South Floridians make their living in the construction industry. And we are dedicated to helping those victimized by construction accidents in Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie/Ft. Pierce and the surrounding communities.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the construction industry accounted for 1,178 fatal work injuries in 2007, the most of any industry sector. That same year, construction workers experienced 135,350 injuries and illnesses. The most common type of construction accidents involved contact with objects and equipment, which accounted for 35% of the injuries and illnesses.

There are so many different occupations within the construction industry that accidents can take many forms. In some instances, the overall safety of the construction site itself may be inadequate. In most cases, a general contractor is responsible for the safety of workers on a given project. But many sub-contractors also have workers present, and some companies or supervisors may not execute proper safety precautions for those they employ. Construction accidents are caused by improper work methods, failure to provide safety equipment to employees, unsafe site conditions, and lack of proper worker training. Injuries and deaths can involve electrical shock, falls, explosions, burn injuries, exposure to asbestos and other toxic chemicals, and asphyxiation.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that falls are the leading cause of construction-related injuries and fatalities. In 2010, a construction worker died after falling off a roof while working on a construction job in Palm Coast, Florida. The construction worker, who was employed by a welding subcontractor, was working on The Epic Theaters project when he fell 25-feet to his death.

The general contractor is always responsible for ensuring compliance with all OSHA regulations. Any subcontractors brought on site by the general contractor are also responsible for ensuring job safety and following OSHA rules that apply to their part of the project. But the general contractor carries the responsibility for the overall safety on the jobsite.

Construction accidents involving heavy equipment can be particularly devastating. In Miami recently, a subcontractor was attempting to raise a crane when a 20-foot piece of the apparatus broke and crashed to the ground. The crane piece fell from a height of 30 stories, killing two workers and injuring 5 others on the jobsite.

The construction accident attorneys at Freeman & Mallard understand the many risks construction workers face on Florida jobsites. We represent victims and their families in West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie/Ft. Pierce and the surrounding communities who have suffered a construction accident injury.

If you have been the victim of a construction related accident, call us today. We are prepared to stand up for your legal rights in court, and aggressively seek the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical costs, pain and suffering and inability to continue working.