St. Petersburg Construction Accident Lawyer

Did you or a loved one sustain injuries in a construction accident in St. Petersburg, FL? You may be entitled to damages under Florida personal injury laws in addition to your workers’ compensation benefits. An experienced St. Petersburg construction accident lawyer at Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys can help you fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.

Collectively, our lawyers have over 25 years of experience helping injured workers handle complex injury cases. We’ve already recovered millions of dollars on behalf of accident victims injured in St. Petersburg car accidents, St. Petersburg truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall cases, and more.

You only have a limited amount of time to take legal action, so contact our law offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, at (727) 933-0015 to schedule your free consultation today.

How Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Construction Accident in St. Petersburg

How Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Construction Accident in St. Petersburg

Workplace accident cases can be notoriously complex. A single mistake in your workers’ compensation paperwork can jeopardize your right to benefits. Many workers even know that they may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit.

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, our skilled personal injury attorneys can help you navigate the process. Our lawyers have been recognized as some of the Top 40 under 40 Personal Injury lawyers for 2020 and by America’s Top Attorneys in 2020. We’ve also recovered millions for our clients over the years.

When you hire our lawyers, you can trust that we will:

  • Identify all parties who share liability for your accident
  • Help you file your workers’ comp claim
  • Evaluate your rights under Florida personal injury laws
  • Handle any challenges to your right to workers’ compensation benefits
  • Assess your case value
  • Hire experts and specialists when needed to prove your case
  • Negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf

It’s never easy to get hurt. Getting injured on the job only adds insult to injury. Our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers are here to protect your rights every step of the way, so give us a quick call today.

How Common Are Construction Accidents in St. Petersburg?

Construction work is some of the most dangerous work in the nation. In 2020, 976 workers were killed in fatal construction site accidents across the United States.

In the State of Florida, construction was the most deadly industry. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, 82 construction workers were killed on the job in Florida in 2020.

Overall, research shows that construction workers are three to four times more likely to die because of a work-related accident than workers in other industries.

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, our workers’ compensation lawyers represent clients in cases involving:

  • Scaffolding accidents
  • Building collapses
  • Roof and ladder falls
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Trucking accidents
  • Fires and explosions
  • Electrocution and electrical shock
  • Heavy machinery accidents
  • Contractor negligence
  • Defective tools and equipment
  • Trenching accidents
  • Falling objects
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals
  • Welding accidents
  • Crane accidents
  • Forklift accidents

Were you injured on the job in St. Petersburg? Call our law firm to schedule a free case review today. You may be entitled to significant compensation.

What Is My St. Petersburg Construction Accident Case Worth?

The value of any personal injury case depends on a number of factors, including:

  • The nature of your injuries
  • The duration of your recovery
  • Whether you’ll suffer a permanent impairment or disability
  • The cost of your medical treatment and other expenses
  • Your lost wages during recovery
  • The impact of the injury on your ability to work once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI)

In construction accident cases, the identity of the responsible party can also play a role in calculating your case value. Under Florida workers’ compensation laws, you can’t sue your employer for damages. You can sue a negligent third party who caused your accident.

You may have a valid third-party claim if your accident was caused by:

  • A negligent driver in a car accident
  • The manufacturer of defective work equipment
  • Third-party vendors or suppliers
  • A negligent property owner
  • Engineers or architects
  • A general contractor

Workers’ comp only covers about ⅔ of your average weekly wages prior to the accident and your other economic costs. Workers’ compensation benefits in Florida are also capped at $1,099 per week in 2022, regardless of your earnings prior to the accident. Because of these factors, your compensation will likely be higher if a third party is responsible for your injuries. 

What Types of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims in St. Petersburg?

The types of damages available depend on whether you’re eligible to file a third-party claim.

Workers’ compensation in Florida provides benefits for:

  • All reasonable and necessary medical bills
  • Temporary or permanent disability
  • Death benefits for surviving family members

These types of economic damages are extremely beneficial. However, if you’re entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit, you can also recover compensation for your subjective, non-economic damages.

The types of damages you may receive by filing a personal injury claim include:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • 100% of your lost wages and employment benefits
  • Lost future earning potential
  • Rehabilitation 
  • Nursing care
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Disfigurement 
  • Scarring 
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Anxiety
  • Depression 
  • PTSD
  • Loss of consortium

Our St. Petersburg construction accident attorneys will carefully evaluate your case to determine whether you have a valid personal injury lawsuit. You can count on us to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Construction Accident in Florida?

Comparative fault isn’t an issue in workers’ compensation cases. You can file a claim for workers’ comp even if you were 100% responsible for the accident.

However, under Florida’s modified comparative fault laws, your compensation can be reduced in a personal injury case if you share 50% or less of the blame. You will lose your right to damages if you were over 50% liable.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Construction Accident Injuries

A construction site can be a hazardous place. Because of that, construction workers often suffer the most severe types of injury when they’re injured at work. 

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we often represent injured construction workers who have sustained:

Many construction accidents result in long-term or even permanent damage. If you were injured on the job or lost a loved one in a fatal construction accident, don’t hesitate to reach out for legal advice today. We’d be proud to help you get the compensation you deserve.

What Causes Most Construction Accidents in St. Petersburg, Florida?

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), there are four types of construction accidents that are most common.

These “fatal four” include:

  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Electrocutions
  • Accidents where workers are caught between two objects
  • Accidents where a worker is struck by an object

Some additional common causes of construction accidents include:

  • Lack of proper safety equipment
  • Lack of fall protection
  • Improperly installed scaffolding
  • Defective machinery
  • Unsafe work equipment
  • OSHA safety violations
  • Communication failures
  • Failure to properly train and supervise workers
  • Faulty wiring

A construction site is always a dangerous place. Still, that doesn’t mean the responsible party isn’t liable for your damages if you were injured. 

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Construction Accident in Florida?

You won’t have to prove negligence to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, most third-party claims are based on negligence theories. 

Someone is considered “negligent” if:

  • They owed you a legal duty of care
  • They breached the duty of care
  • The breach of duty directly caused the accident
  • You sustained damages, or injuries, in the accident

There are many different ways to prove negligence. Our lawyers will review safety records and accident reports, interview witnesses, and even search for video footage. We have years of experience handling cases similar to yours and know how to find the proof you need to pursue compensation successfully.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Construction Accident in Florida?

The statute of limitations in a Florida personal injury case is two years. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss the deadline, and you simply lose your right to sue for damages.

Note that historically, Florida law implemented a four-year deadline for negligence-based personal injury lawsuits. However, effective March 24, 2023, the deadline was cut in half. Thus, if your St. Petersburg construction accident occurred after that date, you’ll need to file your personal injury claim within two years.

You have much less time to file a workers’ compensation claim. You have only thirty days to notify your employer about your accident. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to benefits.

Contact a St. Petersburg Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Injured construction workers have different options for seeking compensation. To learn more about those options and how we can help, call Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation with a St. Petersburg construction accident lawyer today.

Visit Our Personal Injury Office in St. Petersburg, FL

Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys
700 7th Ave N Suite B St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 933-0015

We are available 24/7 to take your call; contact us today.

Our personal injury law firm in St. Petersburg, FL also provides: