Construction sites are inherently dangerous. They feature heavy equipment, tools, debris, and construction materials. No wonder so many people slip, trip, and fall at construction sites.
One instance that can help a slip, trip, or fall victim at a construction site is workers’ compensation. However, if you are a bystander or visitor, workers’ compensation will not apply; you must demonstrate negligence in order to recover compensation through a legal claim. If you are injured in one of the many Pensacola construction site slip and fall accidents, you should consult an attorney to learn about your legal options.
The term slip and fall sounds innocuous, but they can have serious, even deadly, consequences. In fact, falls are one of the most dangerous types of workplace injury. They can lead to:
TBIs are one of the most dangerous results of a slip and fall injury. TBIs happen when an outside force causes damage to the brain through direct or indirect impact. Minor TBIs, also known as concussions, may not seem like significant injuries. However, the damage from TBIs is cumulative, so a concussion can lead to severe problems. Getting prompt medical care after a slip and fall accident on a Pensacola construction site is vital.
Most people on construction sites are workers. As a result, workers’ compensation will cover their injuries. Florida’s workers’ comp coverage allows you to recover for your injuries without proving that someone did anything wrong. As long as you are an employee who is injured at work, workers’ compensation should cover your injuries.
The downside of workers’ comp is it limits potential recovery amounts that people can recover for their medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages and loss in earning capacity. However, the recovery is is different under a tort claim system.
The exception is if someone outside your employer’s control created the dangerous situation that led to your injuries. In those instances, you may have a premises liability or other negligence lawsuit against the wrongdoer. A Pensacola attorney who handles slip and fall accidents at construction sites could explore various potential remedies.
If you are not an employee or your employer does not own the construction site, you may have a viable civil claim for your slip and fall accident. These claims allege that someone was negligent for failing to keep their property safe or adequately warn of hazards.
The first question is whether your slip and fall was because of an unsafe condition. If the answer is yes, then the next step is to identify who created that unsafe condition. In most circumstances, the property owner will have direction or control over that person. So, you may have a claim against the property owner or manager. However, you may also have claims against whoever created the unsafe conditions.
Having multiple potential avenues of recovery can be essential. Slip and fall accidents can lead to severe injuries, with exorbitant medical bills, time away from work, and even a potential loss in earning ability. They can also cause emotional trauma, extensive recovery periods, and tremendous changes to your family dynamic. Finding additional potential defendants can increase your ability to recover after a slip and fall accident at a Pensacola construction site.
Construction site accidents can be a challenging area of personal injury law. The mode of recovery depends on the individual’s relationship with the property owner. In some instances, the remedy will be a personal injury lawsuit. In other cases, the remedy is a workers’ compensation claim. The best way to determine which remedies are available for you is to consult a qualified attorney. An Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon lawyer can provide you with more information about Pensacola construction site slip and fall accidents during an initial consultation.