Construction Workers and Falls

NBC 2 News recently published an article about a worker who had to be rushed to hospital after falling from a North Naples roof. Rescue crews have asserted that the man who fell, who is between 20 and 30 years old, was working on the roof of a three-story condo building when the incident occurred. He traveled a reported 30 feet down when he fell which knocked him unconscious. He then had to be rushed to Lee Memorial Hospital by MedFlight as he suffered serious injuries upon impact. The current status of his health has not been released to the public.

Learn the Risks

You might think that your workplace is the safest place on the planet, but accidents can happen in any workplace location and unfortunately do more often than any of us would like to think. This is especially true when it comes to the possibility of falls which are unfortunately a hazard found in many different kinds of workplace settings. According to statistics published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding a period of just one year, over 260,000 private industry and state and local government workers missed at least one day of work due to injuries from falls on the same level or to lower levels. Almost 800 others tragically lost their lives in work-related falls. And perhaps unsurprisingly due to the nature of the industry, those working in the construction sector had the greatest risk as these workers experienced the highest frequency of fall-related deaths.

Understanding Your Rights

Taking proper steps after a workplace injury is vital. Obtaining medical help as quickly as possible after the workplace incident not only helps ensure that the injured employee has the care they need, but is also an important step in obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. In that regard, construction workers who are injured in accidents that lead to them falling or otherwise incurring serious harm are generally eligible for workers’ compensation benefits when these injuries occur in the scope of employment. In addition, there may even be options for recovery against a third party if it is determined that someone other than an employer contributed to the injuries. The best way to figure out your legal options for how you may be able to recover compensation is to reach out to an experienced legal team as early as you can following a workplace injury.

Have You or a Worker You Love Been Injured?

Falls are unfortunately a very real risk for many Florida construction workers and can lead to serious harm to an injured person’s health, a loss of income, and other implications. If you or someone you care about has suffered an injury while working in the construction industry, you have every right to learn about your legal options and maximize them by pursuing a workers’ compensation claim. As the Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates, we offer the help you need and can depend on as you navigate through the claims process. We can assist you with filing for your benefits for the first time or even help you appeal if you have previously been denied. Contact us today to begin with a no-cost obligation.

Resource:

nbc-2.com/news/local/2021/01/15/worker-rushed-to-hospital-after-falling-from-north-naples-roof/