The Risks of Being Struck by Falling Objects in Construction
Unfortunately, a worker in Destin was injured on a recent weekday afternoon while installing a new sign at Hooters on Emerald Coast Parkway. The new sign was being moved from a truck according to reports from authorities when it became dislodged, fell to the ground and hit the worker. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office asserted that the worker was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries after being struck by the falling object.
Learn the Risks
Objects falling from above and striking construction workers below have caused serious injuries and inevitably account for a number of fatalities every year. While exact numbers are difficult to pinpoint, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has estimated that over ten percent of deaths in the construction workplace occur due to swinging, falling, or misplaced objects. These unfortunate accidents can also reportedly occur because of rigging failure, loose or shifting materials, equipment malfunctions, and vehicle or equipment strikes.
Avoiding an Accident
If working above others:
- Take measures to warn those below you in the area either verbally or with signs of the potential danger
- Keep tools and other materials away from edges
- Make sure anything you’re trying to move is balanced and secured on whatever you’re using to transport it
If you’re working below others:
- Be especially mindful of paying attention to your surroundings any time you are working under cranes, scaffolds and other overhead equipment or when large objects are being moved
- Always utilize any appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including eyewear and hardhats
- Avoid listening to music or playing with your phone while walking through your workplace
Options for Injured Workers
Preventing an accident altogether is obviously ideal and what every worker strives for. But in the event of an accident, it is imperative that you know you have protections under the law. Florida’s workers’ compensation program generally covers losses for work-related injuries, including those that result from falling objects. Therefore, you may be entitled to compensation if you have incurred medical bills and lost wages, and may even be able to hold a third party accountable. It can be extremely difficult to figure out what direction to go in, especially when you are up against an employer and insurance company who seem to have the sole purpose of trying to avoid paying out the benefits that you deserve. In this stressful time when you’re battling your own serious injuries, you owe it to yourself to turn to an attorney who can help you to understand your legal rights and how to seek all possible sources of compensation.
You Can Depend on Us
If you have been injured by a falling object in the construction workplace, you will likely need legal help in order to maximize your entitlement to compensation. As the Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates, we have significant experience helping workers who have been injured in a wide variety of contexts and we sympathize with what you have experienced. You can depend on us to advocate for you while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Reach out today for a free consultation.
Resource:
mypanhandle.com/news/watch-worker-injured-after-hooters-sign-falls-on-him/
https://www.payerandassociates.com/your-responsibilities-after-being-injured-at-work/
