Serious and fatal injuries are not uncommon among construction workers, leaving their families without financial and emotional support. When construction accidents prove fatal, our lawyers can help grieving survivors recover any available damages.

Top causes of death in the construction industry include falls, defective equipment, falling objects, fires, explosions, electrocution, exposure to toxic substances, and vehicle accidents. In some cases, the only damages survivors can get are from Workers’ Compensation. In other scenarios, survivors can pursue third-party wrongful death claims for far more economic and non-economic damages.

For a free case evaluation from the Graves Injury Law Firm, call our attorneys for construction deaths at (305) 614-2767.

What Are the Top Causes of Construction Deaths?

Accidental falls, defective equipment, falling objects, and fires are among the leading causes of fatalities on construction sites.

Falls

A fall from almost any height can be fatal. Fatal fall accidents occur due to unprotected edges, unstable scaffolding or ladders, uncovered holes or gaps in flooring, tripping hazards, and defective fall protection equipment, such as harnesses.

Defective Equipment

Defective construction equipment or safety gear can also cause fatal injuries. Workers rely on power tools, excavators, cranes, forklifts, hoists, and hard hats and other safety gear to work as expected. If a defect in the production or design of an item caused a fatal accident, the product manufacturer might be liable.

Falling Objects

Falling objects also cause many fatalities in construction accidents. Struck-by accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries. Injuries from a struck-by accident are not always immediately fatal, and some injured workers succumb to traumatic brain injuries after several weeks or months.

Falling objects can put passersby near construction sites at risk of fatal injuries as well.

Fires and Explosions

Improperly stored flammable materials, gas leaks, welding, soldering, and other work at construction sites could cause devastating fires or explosions that result in fatalities or permanently disfiguring injuries.

Electrocutions

Fatal electrocutions happen because of exposed wiring and faulty electrical connects on construction sites. Electrocutions can also occur when metal cranes or other equipment accidentally touch power lines, live or damaged wiring, or wet conditions.

Exposure to Toxic Substances

Construction sites are often home to many different toxic or flammable substances that can cause serious and fatal health conditions if workers are exposed. Construction sites should have the appropriate safety gear to prevent inhalation, ingestion, and even skin absorption of toxic substances.

Vehicle Accidents

Vehicle accidents involving construction vehicles and equipment, as well as accidents caused by negligent drivers striking roadside construction crews, might also result in death. Getting caught between vehicles puts workers at risk of crushing injuries and other fatal injuries.

What Can You Get for a Construction Death from Workers’ Comp?

You may be able to get death benefits if your spouse or parent recently died because of a workplace injury. Workers’ Compensation death benefits are limited and can only go so far to compensate survivors.

Workers’ Compensation provides up to $150,000 total in death benefits to the spouse, surviving children, or other dependents of the decedent, including up to $7,000 in funeral expenses. How much weekly compensation you receive is based on your relationship with the decedent.

You cannot get additional damages from Workers’ Compensation for a loved one’s death, not even for pain and suffering.

What Can You Get for a Construction Death from a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

You may be able to get more compensation if you file a wrongful death lawsuit, and our attorneys for construction deaths can see what damages could be available to you and other survivors if you were to sue.

If a third party’s negligence or recklessness caused the victim’s fatal injuries, the victim’s personal representative may file a third-party wrongful death lawsuit. The victim’s employer and their insurer are not involved in this case, and it is separate from any Workers’ Compensation claim for death benefits.

From a third-party wrongful death lawsuit, survivors may recover medical and funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and pain and suffering. There are no strict recovery limits in Florida wrongful death lawsuits as there are for Workers’ Compensation death benefits.

FAQs About Fatal Construction Accidents in Coral Gables

How Common Are Fatal Construction Accidents?

The construction industry sees some of the highest rates of workplace injuries and fatalities.

Can an Employer Be Liable for a Construction Death?

Employers can very rarely be held liable for a fatal construction accident, typically only if they do not have an active Workers’ Compensation policy in place at the time of the accident or if their intentional misconduct caused the worker’s death.

How Can You Prove a Construction Death?

Evidence that helps us prove your loved one died during a construction accident includes statements from eyewitnesses, medical records detailing the cause of death, and photos or videos collected from the scene.

Who Can Recover Damages for a Construction Death?

Workers’ Compensation benefits are paid to financially dependent family members of a decedent, such as their spouse and children. Wrongful death damages typically also go to the victim’s surviving spouse and children. The victim’s estate may also get some damages.

When Can You Get Non-Economic Damages for a Construction Death?

If your loved one recently died due to construction accident injuries, you can only get non-economic damages from a lawsuit, not a Workers’ Compensation claim. Workers’ Compensation death benefits are to help offset lost financial support, not pain and suffering.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer’s Help After a Construction Death?

While you focus on grieving your loved one’s unexpected death, our attorneys can determine whether a third-party wrongful death lawsuit is even an option and explain what you and other survivors might get from Workers’ Compensation.

We Can Help Your Family After a Construction Death

Get a free case assessment from the Graves Injury Law Firm by calling our attorneys for construction deaths at (305) 614-2767.