South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
A worker recently lost his hand in a construction accident in Palm Beach, according to The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach Fire Rescue isn’t sure exactly how the accident happened. Details have not been released.
The worker was transported, with his hand in a cooler, to St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was first taken by private transport but was later picked up by paramedics.
Our workers compensation attorneys in Port St. Lucie, Fellsmere and Fort Pierce understand that our construction workers are at a high risk for serious work-related accidents if the proper safety precautions are not taken by employees and employers.
Federal regulations require that potential work hazards be addressed before an accident can occur. However, third-party liability can result in a personal injury lawsuit as well. Third-party liability refers to an additional party’s involvement in the accident, excluding you or your employer. In these cases, employees cannot sue their employer but are able to go after a subcontractor that contributed to the hazard that caused your injury. If you were involved in a work-related accident, it is critical for you to contact an attorney to help to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation from the deserving party for your injuries.
According to preliminary data released by the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, there was very little variation in the disbursement of the number of work-related deaths from 2009 to 2010. In 2010, there were more than 4,500 workers killed from work-related injuries.
“No worker should have to sacrifice his or her life to earn a living,” says Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 12 workers die on the job each day. Since 1970, when the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed, approximately 14,000 workers died from work-related accidents.
As our economy recovers and more residents head back into the work force, on-the-job injuries and fatalities are expected to increase as well.
The 2010 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries concluded the following:
-The number of work-related deaths among individuals who were self-employed declined a little more than 5 percent. Less than 1,000 people died throughout the year.
-The private mining industry experienced an increase in fatal work accidents of nearly 75 percent from 2009 to 2010.
-Fires contributed to more than 100 work-related fatalities. This illustrated the highest occurrence since 2003.
-Workplace homicides increased among women by nearly 15 percent.
-Police officers witnessed a 40 percent increase in the number of on-the-job deaths. In 2010, more than 130 officers died on duty.
Injuries in the private construction sector have declined by 10 percent from 2009 to 2010. Experts believe that this is because less workers were employed in this industry during the downturn in the economy. Even though the industry experienced a decrease in the number of fatalities from 2009 to 2010, construction worker fatalities still accounted for more work-related injuries than any other industry. As the economy continues to recover, the number of employees grows and the number of hours worked increases, work-related injuries are expected to increase.
Freeman & Mallard is a personal injury and wrongful death law firm dedicated to helping motorists who have been injured on the job in Lake Worth, Parkland, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and the Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce areas. Call today for a free consultation. 1-800-529-2368.
Additional Resources:
Man’s hand severed in construction accident, West Palm Beach fire rescue reports, by Julius Whigham II, The Palm Beach Post News
More Blog Entries:
Employer cell phone policies making strides in reducing South Florida car accidents, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, January 16, 2011
Falls a leading cause of serious and fatal work accidents in West Palm Beach, throughout South Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, November 6, 2011