One of the rarest and catastrophic types of accidents that can occur at a construction site is a building collapse. Unfortunately, it’s never possible to eliminate all risks in construction, especially during building demolition, building erection, or restoration of a badly damaged building. When a building collapses due to a lack of structural integrity, many workers can face serious injury or even death.
If you have been seriously injured in a building collapse on the job, the Florida workers’ compensation lawyers at Work Injury Rights are here for you. We will help you file your claim and fight for the full workers’ compensation benefits you need as you recover and move forward with your life.
What Causes Building Collapse in Florida?
A building collapse may happen during any stage of construction and with any type of building materials, including wood frame buildings, metal frames, and concrete. When someone’s negligence is at the heart of the collapse, the result can be catastrophic.
Common factors that contribute to building collapse include:
- Failure to evaluate and mitigate risk during demolition: When mistakes are made, an intentional demolition can go wrong and cause serious injury.
- Low-quality materials: Sometimes the wrong materials or sub-par materials are used during construction. This can lead to structural weakness that isn’t detected until it’s too late.
- Foundation problems: A defect in the foundation, such as concrete that was not set or reinforced correctly, can make the building high-risk for collapse.
- Poor building design: Sometimes the cause of a building collapse goes back to the original design and blueprint. A classic example is the pedestrian bridge that collapsed at Florida International University in 2018 which killed six people and was caused by a design defect.
- Excessive weight: A building may collapse if it’s subjected to too much weight. This can happen when a heavy crane or other heavy machinery is placed on the structure.
- Fire or natural force: Some construction workers are injured when a building collapses due to an out-of-control fire or other natural force rather than an accident caused by construction activity or defects.
Building Collapse Injuries Happen on New & Old Projects
Injuries can happen when buildings collapse, and debris is one of the most significant causes of injuries. When a building collapses, falling brick, tile, and even internal items can hit workers with the force to cause head injuries, break bones, render concussions, and even cause life-threatening injuries. If the building collapses immediately and completely, workers can even be trapped under the rubble for hours or days.
If you are injured while on the job during or after a building collapse, these injuries can cause stress in your life and require you to seek long-term medical treatment, physical therapy, and even mental health care. Medical bills can accumulate, and it can become increasingly difficult to pay them, especially if you are denied workers’ compensation. You may also need to seek compensation for your lost wages to support yourself and any other dependents. This is where our expert team of lawyers at Work Injury Rights can help!
Building Collapse Workers’ Compensation Claims
In light of recent events, anyone working on or in Miami condo buildings will now see stricter safety concerns for workings and the work being done in the future. All of the injuries that can occur from a building collapse require medical attention, and some will require intensive therapy and treatment. Your claim for benefits will need to encompass your immediate medical needs as a result of the building collapse as well as your long-term needs.
Our lawyers have extensive experience with complex cases, including building collapse cases for new or existing buildings. We anticipate that moving forward, there is going to be a greater need for our type of legal expertise as everyone rushes to get their buildings fixed and updated. While this may seem like a good thing because of the additional work, it may work against your safety.
As more people are injured, it will be increasingly more difficult to seek out workers’ compensation claims because companies will see how many cases they face. Because of this, it’s important to work with lawyers who will fight for you.
Who Is Responsible for Workers’ Safety?
The Miami building collapse will lead to many job sites that are unsafe as soon as workers get there. Unfortunately, it will be nearly impossible to predict where those dangers listed above may fall. Certainly, more attention will be paid to safety, but the focus will almost always be on residents of the building, not those working on the building.
The responsibility falls onto the construction company to ensure that their workers are safe, their issued gear is safe, and the worksite is as safe as it can be. All workers should be informed of any dangers before they get to the site. At the same time, the owners of the property have a responsibility to disclose any information they know to help the construction company keep its workers safe.
It is important to note that there can be multiple claims for an injured worker. Not only can they seek Workers’ Compensation claims, but they may also be able to file other claims. Many people can be responsible for those injuries, including subcontractors, engineers, and more. You may have a personal injury claim in those cases in addition to the Workers’ Compensation claim. Our law firm will work closely with you, and if you do decide to seek a personal injury case, we can work with another law firm to coordinate cases to help maximize value and ensure the strongest cases possible.
Remember, if you are unable to work for a certain amount of time, you may also qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in addition to workers’ compensation. Our firm is skilled at handling these situations as well.
If you have been injured in a recent building collapse on the job, call our legal team at WorkInjuryRights.Com™. We will work hard for you to get the compensation you deserve!
Workers’ Compensation for Building Collapse Injuries
After a building collapse, emergency responders and rescue workers must rush to the site and face injury as they shore up a safe path to rescue workers and assess the instabilities. This harrowing work requires specialized equipment and fast action. Depending on the severity of the accident, sometimes workers are not found and rescued for hours or even days, a terrifying prospect.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a building collapse as a construction worker or emergency response, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The workers’ compensation system in Florida is designed to reimburse you for your medical expenses, lost wages, and disability after the accident. You are not excluded from workers’ compensation even if you are an undocumented worker.
Sadly, receiving the benefits you are entitled to is not always easy. Your employer and their workers’ compensation carrier may try to minimize your injuries or claim you are fully recovered and ready to return to work even when you are not. Our Work Injury lawyers are here to help you fight for the fair benefits you are entitled to by gathering evidence about your accident and the true severity of your injuries.
Contact a Florida Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Have you been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a building collapse? The last thing you should be worried about is fighting an insurance company for the benefits you deserve.
Contact Work Injury Rights today to schedule a free consultation with a Florida workers’ compensation lawyer. We will put our decades of experience to work for you!
