Fort Walton Beach Construction Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were hurt in a construction accident in Fort Walton Beach, FL, you may have options for recovering compensation. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits or damages in a personal injury lawsuit. An experienced Fort Walton Beach construction accident lawyer at Brannon & Brannon can help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. 

We’ve been helping injured clients like you since 1990. We’ve already recovered millions of dollars in life-changing settlements and verdicts. 

Do you need help understanding your legal rights? Contact our law offices in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to schedule a free consultation today, call us at (850) 863-5297.

How Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Construction Accident in Fort Walton Beach, FL

How Brannon & Brannon Can Help After a Construction Accident in Fort Walton Beach, FL

It isn’t always easy to get the fair compensation you need after a construction accident. The workers’ compensation system is complex. Sometimes, employers and insurance companies make unfair demands. Your doctor might even try to send you back to work before you’re ready.

At Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, our father-son team has more than 60 years of combined experience fighting for clients like you. Our legal team includes an AV-preeminent rated attorney. We’d be proud to put our experience to work for you.

When you hire our Fort Walton Beach personal injury attorneys, we will:

  • Investigate the circumstances of your accident
  • Evaluate whether you’re entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit for additional damages
  • Handle your workers’ compensation claim
  • Calculate the value of your benefits
  • Protect you when others try to blame you for the accident
  • Negotiate with the insurance companies to maximize your compensation

It can be tough to know what you deserve after an accident. Our Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyers are ready to put their experience to work for you. Just give us a quick call to learn more today.

What is My Fort Walton Beach Construction Accident Case Worth?

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, construction is the deadliest industry in the state of Florida. Ninety-one construction workers lost their lives in construction accidents during 2019.

Construction accident victims typically have two primary options for recovering compensation if the accident occured at work: filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits or suing a responsible third party for damages in civil court.

The way you seek compensation can influence the value of your case. Nearly every injured construction worker in Florida is entitled to file a claim for workers’ comp benefits. 

The value of a workers’ compensation claim depends on:

  • Your wages before the accident
  • Your recovery time
  • The cost of your medical treatment
  • Whether you’re totally or partially disabled

Your workers’ compensation check is subject to a statewide maximum. Regardless of your earnings before the accident, the cap is $1,011 per week in 2021 and $1,099 per week in 2022.

Third-Party Claims

Because workers’ comp is a no-fault system, you probably can’t sue your employer for additional damages. 

However, you may be entitled to file a third-party claim against a negligent third party, including a:

  • Property owner
  • Driver in a motor vehicle accident
  • General contractor
  • Third-party vendor
  • Manufacturer of defective work equipment

Many additional factors can be relevant to how much your personal injury case is worth. We’ll examine the following factors to determine the true value of your claim:

  • The nature of your injuries
  • The circumstances of the accident and the responsible party’s actions
  • The impact of the injury on your quality of life
  • The cost, nature, and duration of your medical care
  • Your physical pain and suffering

Overall, more severe injuries tend to result in higher compensation awards–but the details matter. Whether you were hurt on the job or merely walking by a construction site, you can count on our Fort Walton Beach construction accident attorneys. We’ll do everything possible to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims?

By filing a workers’ compensation claim, you’ll be entitled to damages to cover:

  • All reasonable and necessary medical bills, including the cost of rehabilitation
  • Transportation costs to and from your doctor
  • About 66 â…” of your lost weekly wages
  • Vocational training and on-the-job training if you can’t return to your previous job

If the construction accident was fatal, the law also provides death benefits for surviving family members.

Economic and Non-Economic Damages Available in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

You can recover economic and non-economic damages under Florida personal injury laws if you’re entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Examples of your economic damages may include:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • 100% of your lost wages
  • Diminished future earning capacity
  • Physical therapy
  • Nursing care
  • Property damage

Examples of your non-economic damages include:

Sometimes workers’ compensation doesn’t provide all of the money you need or deserve. Our lawyers will carefully evaluate the circumstances of your accident. We’ll identify all responsible parties and fight for every dollar you deserve.

Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Construction Accident in Florida?

Workers’ compensation benefits are available even if you’re being blamed for your accident and injuries. You’ll receive full compensation for your injuries even if you’re the at-fault party.

However, under Florida modified comparative fault laws, your personal injury settlement or verdict can be reduced to account for your share of the blame — or even eliminated if you are mostly at fault.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Construction Accident Injuries

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in Florida. Workers are at risk of suffering some of the most serious injuries possible.

At Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of construction site accident cases, including those involving:

Are you struggling after the wrongful death of a loved one? We can help you fight to recover full compensation for your loss. Just call our law firm to schedule a free case review and learn more about our practice areas today.

What Causes Most Construction Accidents in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?

Construction sites can be hectic and dangerous. Any number of things can happen to cause an accident and injuries. However, some things are more likely to result in accidents than others.

Some of the most common causes of construction accidents include:

  • Violation of local labor laws
  • Lack of protective safety equipment
  • Lack of fall protection
  • Defective machinery or tools
  • Lack of proper training or supervision
  • Failure to communicate
  • Improper crane installation
  • OSHA safety violations

Our lawyers in Fort Walton Beach often represent clients in construction accident cases involving:

  • Scaffolding accidents
  • Electrocution and electric shock
  • Unsafe work equipment
  • Accidents where a worker is caught between two objects
  • Crushing accidents
  • Building collapses
  • Truck accidents
  • Crane accidents
  • Forklift accidents
  • Other heavy machinery accidents
  • Car accidents
  • Nail gun accidents
  • Welding accidents
  • Slip and fall accidents 
  • Falls from roofs or ladders
  • And more

Were you or a loved one hurt on a construction site? Don’t hesitate to get the legal advice you deserve. Call Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation today.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Construction Accident in Florida? 

Negligence is the legal term for failure to exercise reasonable caution. Most plaintiffs in personal injury cases must prove negligence to recover damages. However, you won’t have to worry about proving negligence to receive Florida workers’ compensation benefits.

To file a third-party claim, you’ll have to prove that someone who wasn’t your employer:

  • Owed you a legal duty of care
  • Breached the duty of care
  • Caused your accident and the damages you’ve suffered

Other lawsuits may be based on strict liability. For example, if you were hurt because of defective construction equipment, you can seek compensation from the manufacturer without proving negligence.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Construction Accident in Florida?

You always have a limited amount of time to take legal action. You must notify your employer about your injuries within 30 days of the accident under Florida workers’ compensation laws. To seek additional damages, you have four years to file a personal injury lawsuit under the Florida statute of limitations to seek additional damages.

It’s always better to speak with a lawyer sooner rather than later. We can help you understand your legal rights and options–and fight to enforce your rights.

Contact a Fort Walton Beach Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers is one of the leading personal injury law firms in Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, and across the Florida panhandle. You can count on us to pursue the fair compensation you need and deserve. Just call to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Fort Walton Beach construction accident lawyer today.

Our personal injury law firm in Fort Walton Beach, FL also provides: