Construction Accidents

With the inherently dangerous conditions of construction sites, there are many ways for workers to fall victim to a construction accident in Florida. The majority of construction accidents materialize from the following circumstances:

Building Collapse

Building collapses are rare in Florida yet they still happen periodically. The most recent tragedy occurred in Sunny Isles, FL in 2021, killing 98 people due to the negligence of developers, engineers and insurers. While there are a number of reasons why a building can collapse, the most common causes are poorly maintained roofs, faulty foundations, low-quality materials, or natural disasters, such as fires or earthquakes.

Cell Tower Accident

As one of the most dangerous occupations in the construction field, a cell tower worker is ten times more likely to die on the job compared to the average laborer. Because of the high-risk involved in the installation and maintenance of cell towers, these workers endure hazardous conditions at heights exceeding 2,000 feet or higher. The most frequent causes of cell tower accidents include catastrophic falls, electrocution, and exposure to radiofrequency emissions.

Confined Spaces

When working on jobsites, construction workers will face a number of challenging and often hazardous workplace conditions that can threaten their safety. Confined spaces can lead to injuries that involve electrocution, toxins and fumes, extreme temperatures, and explosive gasses or liquids. Individuals working in these conditions may experience a lack of oxygen at times and a heightened risk for incident due to the limited entry and exit points.

Construction Accident FAQ

Statistics show that 20% of all work-related deaths occur in the construction industry. Unfortunately, the nature of the job requires construction workers to perform tasks, such as building, demolishing, and repairing, in hazardous environments that are prone to unstable foundations and demand the use of heavy machinery. Without sufficient training, your chances increase for a construction accident.

Fatal Accidents

Due to the number of dangers present on jobsites, the proportion of fatalities is much higher compared to other professionals. According to OSHA, the top causes of construction fatalities, also known as the “Fatal Four”, are falls, electrocution, being struck by objects, and being caught in or in between objects.

Debris Falling on Work Sites

Lack of protection or safety gear on the ground can result in an unexpected, and often life-threatening, injury when debris falls from higher elevations. Because construction zones are constantly evolving, there are times when multiple crews are working at once and the manner of work will differ, leading to precarious conditions.

Falls on Construction Sites

Falls are the most common type of construction accident nationwide. Unfortunately, these types of accidents amount to one third of on-site fatalities in the industry as well. Circumstances such as an unfinished roof or unsafe ladder pose a threat to your safety and life when greater caution is neglected. Ill-equipped safety gear may also be the cause.

Safety Equipment Defects

Apart from human error, defective or broken equipment has the potential to significantly harm employees when a construction accident takes place. Severe injuries happen every day on construction sites due to a lack of eye protection, sensors, and safety guards that are required by law for working with heavy equipment and machinery.

Electrocution

Electrocution is one of the leading causes of fatalities within the construction industry. Other than death, the different injuries that result from electrocution include cardiac arrest, burns, central nervous system injuries, tissue injury and wounds or lacerations. Affected victims will need to seek immediate medical assistance to treat these severe and usually long-term injuries.

Heavy Equipment

Many of the responsibilities for construction workers demand the use of heavy machinery and equipment, such as paving and pile driving. Accidents can result from both the machinery itself and the environment in which the heavy equipment is operated. Generally, these construction accidents turn into workers comp claims that are known for being complex.

Ladder Accidents

Among the equipment you’ll use on a construction site, ladders are most frequently the source of fall accidents. There are certain safety measures that must be followed when using ladders in the workplace, and when those rules are ignored, the chances of a construction accident increases.

Roofing Accidents

When roofs are being constructed or repaired, potential dangers persist due to the height and instability of the structure. Most times, a roofing accident results from a fall that can lead to critical injuries and long-term medical expenses.

Scaffolding Accidents

Scaffolding accidents are not uncommon in the construction industry. In fact, 20% of all construction accidents involved scaffolding, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When too much weight is placed on the scaffold, it can easily collapse leaving construction workers susceptible to serious injuries or even death.

Skylight Falls

Though skylights provide many benefits, including natural light and better energy, there is risk involved when a construction worker fails to install or repair a skylight properly. These accidents happen most often when the skylight breaks beneath a construction worker as servicing is taking place.

Excavation Accidents

Trenching and excavation require significant monitoring to ensure the safety and well-being of construction workers and innocent bystanders in close proximity. These situations can turn ugly in a matter of seconds if the machinery strikes underground utilities or the ground suddenly collapses.