Construction sites are dangerous places. People working on them, or even people walking or driving by them, may be injured. If you or someone you know was injured in a construction accident in Aventura, FL, it’s important to understand your legal options and how to seek compensation for your injuries.
Whether you are a construction worker or an innocent bystander, Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help with your construction accident case. Reach out to our office today to learn how we can help you.
To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Aventura construction accident lawyer, contact us online or call our offices at (305) 937-0191.
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How Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Construction Accident in Aventura, FL
Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury law and have helped our injured clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation from at-fault parties. Our legal team includes Aventura personal injury lawyers who have been recognized as:
- Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyers
- Members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Expertise Best Car Accident Lawyers
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Super Lawyers
When you hire one of our attorneys, you can count on them to:
- Review your case and explain your legal options;
- Investigate the construction accident to build your case;
- Identify the at-fault parties;
- Gather evidence to support your claims;
- Negotiate a settlement with the opposing party on your behalf; and
- Take your case to court if a favorable settlement can’t be reached.
We’ll bring the dedicated approach you deserve and will fight for you to receive compensation for all of your construction-accident-related injuries. Reach out to our law office serving Aventura, Florida, today to learn more about how we can help.
How Common Are Construction Accidents?
Construction accidents are relatively common. Construction is in the top three most dangerous industries nationwide. In 2021, construction accidents accounted for 24% of all fatal occupational injuries. In 2020, there were 165,300 non-fatal construction-related workplace injuries.
What Is My Aventura Construction Accident Case Worth?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for what a construction accident case is worth. A primary consideration is whether you can file a personal injury lawsuit – if you can, you can likely obtain much more compensation than what workers’ comp can offer you.
From there, many factors impact the value of a construction accident case, including:
- The severity of your injuries;
- Your total medical bills;
- The extent of any property damage;
- The opposing party’s insurance policy limits;
- Whether you were partially at fault in the accident; and
- The strength of the evidence to support your claims.
When you contact our office, we’ll review your case and discuss how these factors impact the potential value of your case.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Aventura Construction Accident Victims?
In construction accident cases, a victim may be awarded compensatory damages, which are a financial award with the purpose of recompensing an injured party for their injuries or other losses. Compensatory damages are further divided into economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are designed to compensate victims for the direct financial impacts of an accident or injury. They may include:
- Past and future medical expenses;
- Property damage;
- Transportation costs;
- Lost wages; and
- Reduced future earning capacity.
Economic damages often can be easily quantified. There will usually be a receipt, medical bill, or other form of documentation attached to them. They are sometimes referred to as tangible damages or special damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are intended to compensate for the emotional or psychological consequences of the accident or injury. These may include:
- Pain and suffering resulting from your injuries;
- Emotional distress caused by the accident or injury;
- Loss of companionship or loss of consortium due to a loved one’s suffering;
- Disability or disfigurement and the related impacts on your life; and
- Diminished quality of life.
Non-economic damages are sometimes called intangible damages or general damages because they are harder to quantify and relate to a victim’s overall well-being rather than specific financial losses.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can review your case and discuss which damages may be available in your case.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer in Aventura, FL?
Personal injury lawyers often operate on a contingency fee basis, which means the attorney collects their fee as a percentage of the client’s financial compensation once the case concludes. This fee is usually between 33% to 40%.
What sets contingent fees apart from other legal fee structures is that they are only collected if the client succeeds in their case. In other words, if you don’t receive compensation, the attorney won’t get paid either.
Contingency fees can be particularly advantageous for victims of construction accidents. Managing upfront attorney fees can be challenging when you’re already dealing with medical expenses, injuries, lost income, and unexpected costs arising from the accident.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Construction Accident in Florida?
If you were injured in a construction accident and are partially at fault, you may still be able to recover compensation for your damages. If you are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim, you can generally do so even if you contributed to the cause of your accident.
Regarding any potential personal injury lawsuits, Florida is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that a personal injury victim, in most cases, can recover compensation only if they were not more than 50% responsible for the accident or injury.
So, if you are being blamed for a construction accident, the jury will determine what portion of the fault is yours. If you are 50% at fault or less, you can recover damages. However, your damages will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are found to be 25% at fault and the opposing party is 75% at fault, then you can recover up to 75% of your damages. An experienced attorney can protect your rights and work to ensure you are assigned as little responsibility as possible.
We’ll Work To Recover Compensation for All of Your Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accidents can lead to severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Broken bones;
- Burn injuries;
- Psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
- Amputations; and
- Eye and ear damage.
Even if you suffer a seemingly minor injury, it’s important to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment. Contact our office to learn more about how we will fight for you to receive compensation for all of your injuries.
What Causes Most Construction Accidents in Aventura, FL?
One of the most common causes of construction accidents in Florida is falling. Construction workers are often on scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or cranes, and falls from these heights can result in serious injuries.
Other common causes of construction accidents include:
- Being struck by falling objects;
- Being struck by heavy equipment;
- Equipment malfunctions;
- Fires or explosions;
- Electrocutions;
- Vehicle-related accidents; and
- Wall or structure collapses.
If you were injured due to one of these causes or in some other type of construction accident, contact an experienced Aventura construction accident attorney to discuss your legal options.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Construction Accident in Florida?
To succeed in your construction accident case (at least regarding any personal injury lawsuits, as opposed to workers’ comp), you will probably need to show that the at-fault party was negligent. In Florida, to establish negligence in a construction accident case, you must prove the following four elements:
- Duty of care: You must show that the other party owed you a duty of care. This may include the duty to prevent foreseeable harm on the construction site.
- Breach: You must then show that the other party breached the duty of care. For example, this may include failure to follow safety regulations on the construction site.
- Causation: Next, you will need to show that the other party’s actions or conduct were the actual and legal cause of your injuries.
- Damages: You must also show that you suffered injuries or other losses as a result of the other party’s breach.
To prove each of these elements, you will need to present evidence to support your claims. This process can be complicated, but an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the construction accident claim process.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Construction Accident in Florida?
To receive workers’ compensation benefits, you must notify your employer of the accident within 30 days. From there, you have two years from the date of the accident or injury to file a personal injury lawsuit and/or workers’ comp claim in most cases. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. If you do not file your construction accident case within this time period, you may be unable to seek compensation for your injuries.
While there are limited exceptions to this two-year deadline, you should reach out to a seasoned construction accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your case is filed on time.
Contact Our Aventura Construction Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a construction accident in Aventura, FL, let us help build your case and fight for the compensation you need and deserve. Contact our office at (305) 937-0191 today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted Aventura construction accident attorney regarding your case.