Every year, about 4,800 people are killed in workplace accidents and many more suffer serious injuries. About 20% of these deaths occur in construction and being struck by falling/flying objects causes about 11% of all workplace fatalities, according to OSHA.
Dropped objects are also the third-leading cause of workplace injuries with almost 48,000 injuries in 2016 alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fall protection violations for people and objects are also the most common types of OSHA violations.
If you have suffered a serious injury due to falling/flying objects on a worksite, you have the right to recover compensation under Florida’s workers’ compensation system. An experienced workers’ comp lawyer in Florida can help you file your claim or appeal a denied workers’ compensation claim to seek the fair compensation you need as you recover.
What Are Some Common Causes of Falling Object Accidents in Florida?
Accidents involving flying/falling objects can occur for many reasons such as:
- Lack of training
- Incorrect use of equipment or tools
- Insufficiently secured load on a boom, hoist, or crane
- A load that is too heavy
- Improperly stacked materials
- Failing to follow safety protocols
- Faulty materials or malfunctioning machinery
- Failing to use safety devices that can stop or catch falling objects
- Insufficient warnings posted
Construction workers are most at risk of being hurt by flying/falling objects while working near ladders, scaffolds, cranes, and on sites where work is performed overhead. It isn’t just construction workers who are at risk of falling/flying objects injuries.
Other at-risk occupations include:
- Assemblers
- Truck drivers
- Carpenters
- Janitors
- Stock handlers
- Food preparation workers
- Cooks
What Are Some Injuries Associated With Falling/Flying Objects?
Even a small or fairly lightweight object can lead to serious injury when it falls from a great height. An 8-pound tool dropped just 200 feet hits with a force exceeding 2,800 pounds per square inch. That’s about the same as a small passenger car hitting an area not much larger than a quarter.
The types of injuries that can result from a falling object depend on the weight and size of the object, the height of the fall, and the victim’s protection. For many workers, an injury from a falling or flying object is very serious and may include lacerations, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, neck and back injuries, and fractures. These accidents can also lead to permanent disability such as paralysis.
Falling/Flying Objects Accidents & Workers’ Compensation
When you are injured on the job in Florida, for example, by falling/flying objects, you have the right to compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. These benefits can include temporary or permanent disability benefits to partially replace lost wages and other benefits such as compensation for your medical expenses and even vocational rehabilitation.
While the workers’ compensation system is designed to quickly reimburse you for your damages, filing a claim can come with a lot of paperwork and deadlines. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Florida can help with filing your claim while you focus on recovering. Your attorney can also help if your workers’ compensation claim is denied or your benefits are delayed. Even if your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision but it must be done within the deadline.
In most cases, you cannot sue your employer for damages even if they were negligent. However, it’s sometimes possible to file a lawsuit against someone other than your employer after a falling object accident. For example, a flying object injury caused by faulty machinery or equipment may be eligible for a third-party claim if the manufacturer was liable for your injury to ensure you’re fully compensated for the losses you have suffered.
Falling/Flying Objects FAQs
An object at work hit me in or around the eye, causing damage. I have time off, but should I get Workers’ Comp too?
Eye injuries can result in serious damage, including damage that doesn’t present itself for some time. Eyes can suffer damage from flying objects or radiation burns in or around the eye. This often results in a change in vision or overall loss of vision. You need your eyes to function at work, so any type of change could impact your ability to make a living.
Losing your vision can completely change your way of life. Our work injury lawyers can help you to understand the impact of your injury on your job as well as help you get the care you need. For a free consultation, call us today at 954-833-5226.
Is it a Wrongful Death Claim or A Workers’ Comp Claim if my husband was killed by an object at work?
Unfortunately, free-falling/flying objects are the cause of many deaths and significant injuries for people who work on construction sites or those with heavy objects. If your spouse or a loved one was killed at work, you can actually go down either road with your claim.
While you may be able to file a Workers’ Comp claim, it is likely your best bet to go after a wrongful death claim. This will help you to get more compensation, so you can grieve and heal. While no settlement can bring your loved one back, it is important to make sure you get everything you deserve. Contact our workers’ compensation lawyers today.
Can I collect Workers’ Comp after being hit by a free-falling object at work and needing medical attention?
Yes, getting struck by an object at work qualifies you to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits. If you need to seek medical care, have to take time off work, or go to rehab, you should get benefits throughout that time. If the injury was debilitating, you should get coverage then as well.
These benefits are there to help you cover lost wages, medical bills, drug costs, and more. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to navigate this road and that often results in confusion, irritation, and settling for less than you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation, so we can help you get the compensation and benefits you need for your recovery.
My contractor didn’t provide a hard hat, and I suffered a head injury on a construction site – is he liable?
If you are working on a construction site, you should wear a hard hat to prevent any construction injuries. Your employer should mandate a hard hat for anyone on the job site. OSHA requires this and also requires that the hat meets the American National Standard for Personnel Protection or the American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection designations.
If you were injured because you were not issued a hard hat, we will help you look into the situation surrounding your injury and help you to get justice and compensation you deserve. Call our lawyers at 954-833-5226 today!
Contact a Florida Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today For a Free Consultation for Your Falling/Flying Objects Injury
Have you suffered serious injuries due to falling/flying objects at work or your workers’ comp claim has been denied? Contact Work Injury Rights today to schedule a free consultation. Our firm of Florida workers’ comp attorneys will fight for the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries and help you navigate the complex legal landscape of the workers’ compensation system.
We work on a contingency fee basis which means you pay nothing unless we secure a jury award or settlement for you.
