Articles Posted in Construction accidents

An insurance company for a construction contractor in Florida was not required to indemnify the company from a lawsuit filed after the death of a subcontracting employee at a job site, according to a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

The case, Stephens v. Mid-Continent Casualty Co., stems from a third-party liability lawsuit filed by the worker’s widow against the insurance company of the general contractor.

Cape Coral construction accident lawyers recognize that at the heart of the case was the distinction between an independent contractor and a statutory employees as it pertains to worker compensation and injury law. The distinction is important because workers’ compensation laws say that those benefits are the sole remedy for employees who are hurt on the job. However, workers who suffer job-related injuries can file third-party liability lawsuits against non-employers. Examples might be the site owner, a manufacturer of a certain product or, in some cases, a general contractor.
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In 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there were more than 4,300 workers who were killed on the job. On average, we lose more than 84 lives a week or nearly 12 deaths every day, according to the United States Department of Labor.

Of these fatalities, close to 4,000 occurred in the private industry. Close to 800 of them occurred in construction. With the economy seeing improvement in Southwest Florida, construction is booming. Keeping workers safe from the four main causes of construction accidents must be a priority.

These “Fatal Four” include falls, followed by struck by object, electrocution, and caught-in/between. If we are able to eliminate these risks, we could potentially save more than 400 construction worker lives each and every year.

Our experiencedconstruction accident lawyers understand that negligence is oftentimes a contributory factor in serious and fatal construction site incidents, and it’s often not negligence on the part of the person who is killed. Many times it’s another worker, a manager, a contractor, a supplier, a manufacturer or some other party who is negligent. A good way to address these is to incorporate them into your daily safety meeting topics and job site inspections.
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Each and every year in the U.S., there are close to 3 million eye injuries. Of these injuries, about 50,000 permanently lose part of or all of their vision, according to the Optometry Times.

And you’d be surprised to hear how many of these accidents occur on the job. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are roughly 2,000 workers each and every day who experience an eye-related injury that requires medical treatment.

Our Cape Coral work accident lawyers understand that about 30 percent of eye injuries are treated in the E.R. and more than 100 a day result in lost time from work. Most of these are the result of objects or small particles striking in or around the eye. This can include cement chips, dust, metal silvers and/or wood chips. But it’s not just about objects striking the eye. Many workers also suffer from thermal burns and radiation burns. It’s a serious problem that can be prevented with a few important precautionary steps.
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You might think you’re safe from a fall accident, but the truth is that it can happen to anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are a persistent hazard found in all occupational settings.

These accidents can happen when simply walking, climbing up a ladder or as a result of a series of events affecting construction workers high above the ground. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009 information, there were more than 600 workers who were killed and another 212,800 seriously injured in fall accidents to the same (or a lower) level.

Our construction accident lawyers understand that the highest frequency of fall-related deaths was experienced by those within the construction industry. On the other hand, the highest numbers of fall-related injuries and instances occurred to those working in the wholesale and retail industries and health services. Construction, material moving and transportation, building cleaning and maintenance, healthcare support and extraction occupations are particularly at risk of fall injuries.

Luckily, there’s a new app for both iPhone and Andriod that features multimodal indicators and a graphic-oriented guide for ladder selection, inspection, positioning, accessorizing, and safe use.

There are oftentimes very familiar circumstances among these kinds of accidents, including unprotected edges, slippery or cluttered walking spaces, misused fall protection, unsafely positioned ladders, wall openings and floor holes. Under federal standards, there are specific regulations that workers and employers have to follow to help to prevent these kinds of accidents. Unfortunately, not all of these regulations are followed and these unsafe practices result in injury and death year after year.

And you’d be surprised by how much these kinds of accidents can affect workers. They come with a heap of workers’ compensation and medical costs. As a matter of fact, they’re estimated to total about $7- billion each and every year in the U.S.

Did you know? Falls from elevation account for one third of all deaths in construction.

To help to prevent a fall accident on your construction site:

-Make sure that all trash is disposed of immediately and properly.

-Consider using cordless tools whenever possible.

-Make sure you wrap up and coil cords whenever they’re not being used.

-Whenever something is spilled, be sure to clean and block off the area as soon as possible.

-Minimize the amount of materials on site by carefully planning deliveries.

-Make sure that there are warning signs always places around slippery areas.

-Keep all walkways clear of obstacles at all times.

-Make sure that all workers are provided with the proper fall protection that they need to complete the job safely.

-Remember to lift objects with your legs and to hold your abdomen in when bending over.

-Employers must train workers in hazard recognition and in the care and safe use of ladders, scaffolds, fall protection systems, and other equipment they’ll be using on the job.

-Keep an accurate OSHA incident log and focus on preventing common incidents.
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Construction workers are in a lot of danger. Fall accidents are among the most common risks, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA).

As a matter of fact, fall accidents are the number one cause of death in the construction industry. There were close to 300 fatal fall accidents in the U.S. in 2010. There were less than 775 fatal accidents in the industry altogether. The most important thing to remember is that these accidents are completely preventable.

Our Cape Coral construction accident lawyers understand that there are three simple ways that these accidents can be prevented — Plan. Provide. Train.

Officials with OSHA have dedicated significant resources to help raise awareness among employees and employers about the risks that are associated with working on roofs, scaffolds and ladders. In addition to a website, employers are also provided with posters and informational resources to display on the work site. I number of these resources target workers who don’t speak English very well.

Tips on Preventing Fall Accidents on Construction Sites:

-PLAN. You need to look at all aspects of the job to make sure you’re doing it as safely as possible. When working from heights, make sure that all of the proper safety equipment is in place. Whenever you’re providing an estimate for a job, you want to make sure that the costs of these safety measures are included.

-PROVIDE. You always want to have the right equipment, and your employer should provide it for you. If you’re working six feet or more above the lower level, you’re at serious risks for injury and even death in the event of a fall. You should have the proper fall protection. Remember that each piece of equipment has its place on the job site. Don’t try to skimp out. Equipment is meant for specific tasks.

-TRAIN. Each worker is required to be properly and efficiently trained in the jobs they’re performing. You can help to keep your workers safe by making sure that they understand their duties and how to use the fall protection equipment provided to them. Employers must train workers in hazard recognition and in the care and safe use of ladders, scaffolds, fall protection systems, and other equipment they’re required to use.

It’s time for us all to put to rest the attitude that “accidents happen” and take action to make sure deadly fall accidents don’t happen.

As a worker in the U.S., you have a right to all of these preparations. You’re to be properly trained in the jobs you’ll be executing and you’re required to have the proper safety equipment to make sure that these jobs can be executed safely. If you don’t feel you’re getting what is required, speak up. You have a right to do that, too. Just make sure safety is your number one priority.
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Even though the economic boom in Florida construction is less robust than in years past, the building of new roads puts workers and motorists in danger on our roadways every day. Whether it’s on a local city street or on the Interstate, we all encounter roadwork crews doing their jobs in very near proximity to passing vehicles. This can be a deadly mix if proper safety precautions are not followed.

Beginning in 1999, the Florida Department of Transportation, (FDOT), began an intensive campaign to educate motorists on the need for added safety when driving through work zones. Their theme has been “It’s Everyone’s Job“, stressing that reckless driving through highway work zones can be deadly for motorists and workers alike. “We want Floridians to realize that everyone has a hand in work zone safety,” said FDOT Assistant Secretary Kevin Thibault, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “It truly is everyone’s job to ensure safe travel through highway construction zones.” In 2007, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 11,248 crashes happened n Florida work zones, resulting in 8,288 injuries and 105 fatalities. Nationwide, that number is approximately 1,000 annually.

Southwest Florida is currently undergoing several major highway construction projects, resulting in an increased opportunity for accidents. The iROX I-75 Road Expansion project, from Golden Gate interchange #105 in Collier County to Colonial Boulevard interchange #136 in Lee County, is widening 30 miles of the interstate to six-lanes. Additionally, S.R. 739/Metro Parkway from Six Mile Cypress Parkway to Daniels Parkway is currently being widened from two lanes to six, and work also includes resurfacing, drainage, lighting, signal work and installation of signs and pavement markings. Also on Metro Parkway, a new, six-lane extension is being built to connect Metro to Alico Road and U.S. 41 in south Lee County. These projects are expected to affect area motorists until 2012.

Falls are the number one cause of injury at construction sites, according to the United States Department of Labor, which has released statistics for 2007, the most recent year for which data is available.

In Florida, transportation-related deaths, workplace assaults and homicide also top the list of workplace deaths in 2007.

Construction accident attorneys and Florida injury lawyers urge construction workers to utilize safe practices on the job and to use extra caution when working with heights. Despite the economic slowdown, Southwest Florida remains home to a large number of heavy construction sites.

In all, 5,488 employees were killed on the job in 2007.

Annually, falls account for one in every three construction-related deaths, according the the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were at least 442 construction worker fatalities during 2007 as a result of falls.

Click here for safety advice aimed at preventing falls.

Statewide, Florida’s 362 work-related deaths put it with 18 other states that saw an increase in deaths in 2007.

45: Died by being struck or having contact with objects or machinery 62: Died in falls 42: Died from exposure to harmful chemicals 136: Died in a transportation-related mishap 5: Died as a result of a fire or explosion 70: Died from a work-place homicide or assault
In Fort Myers-Cape Coral, 10 deaths were reported at construction sites.
In the Naple-Marco Island area, 6 construction-site deaths were reported.
In Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, 14 deaths were reported at construction sites.
The Miami-Fort Lauderdale area reported 120 construction deaths, ranking third in the nation behind New York-Northern New Jersey (211) and Houston (125).

Working seniors
-Those over 65 had the highest rate of death on the job, with almost 10 deaths per 100,000 workers.

Deadliest Jobs
-Commercial Fishing: 111.8 deaths per 100,000 -Logging: 86.4 -Pilots and flight engineers: 66.7 – Farming and ranching: 38.4 Continue reading ›