Construction Accident in Delray Beach
A worker was killed on Thursday, November, 9, in a construction accident, after an excavator being used to demolish a home collapsed on a truck the worker was working on.
The incident happened at 1041 Lewis Cove in Delray Beach, just off State Road A1A, about a mile south of Atlantic Boulevard. According to a spokesman for the Delray Beach Police Department/Fire Rescue, the unidentified worker was sitting on top of a dump truck when the excavator toppled off a mound and crashed on top of the vehicle. The excavator operator was not injured.
Neighbor Witnesses Entire Ordeal
Sue Pregibon said her husband saw the whole tragedy. “The large rig started teetering on top of the mound,” said Pregibon. “My husband said, ‘Oh my God. If he moves a foot more he’s going to tip over.’ And just after that he said that, it tipped over. He’s vey shaken up because it’s not good seeing a guy die.”
OSHA on Scene to Investigate
Delray Beach Police told media outlets the construction crew was working to clear debris from a lot at the time. Following the accident, an investigator from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), came out to investigate along with police.
The Dangers of Construction
According to OSHA, construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. From 2019 – 2022, 4,297 workers died in construction-related accidents. The leading causes of construction worker deaths are:
- Falls from elevation – 37.3%
- Struck-by-object accidents – 10.8%
- Electrocution – 9.0%
- Caught in/between vehicles – 5.4%
- Transportation incidents – 4.7%
How to File a Claim after a Construction Accident
If you or a loved one was injured in a construction accident, you may be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits, and in some cases, could be eligible to file a personal injury claim as well. If you are considering filing a claim because of a construction accident, it’s important to take the following steps:
1. Notify Your Employer
First and foremost, notify your employer about the accident. In Florida, you have 30 days to notify your employer.
2. Seek Medical Attention
It’s important to seek medical attention AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after the accident. Even if you don’t think you are seriously hurt, it’s better to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a doctor. Also, seeking medical attention will create a paper trail that will be helpful when you file a personal injury claim.
3. Gather Evidence
Once you’ve notified your employer and sought medical attention, you’ll need to gather evidence to support your claim. This can include pictures of the accident site, witness statements, and copies of medical records and bills related to your injuries.
Hire the Expert Construction Accident Attorneys at GOLDLAW
It’s imperative to speak with a personal injury lawyer following your accident, because besides a workers compensation claim, you may also be eligible to file a personal injury claim. This is what GOLDLAW’s Chief Legal Officer, Spencer Kuvin said about the fatal accident described in this story:
“Everyone usually assumes that an injury or death at work is limited to workers compensation coverage. What people don’t realize is there may be a claim against someone other than the employer for the tragedy that occurred. For example, a claim can be brought against the crane manufacturer if it was defective in some way. Additionally, if there were people on site that did not employ the deceased, that were responsible for construction safety, then a claim may also be brought against that company. Workers compensation only prevents lawsuits against the employer, it does not prevent a claim against any other party that may be involved in causing the injury or death.”
The experts at GOLDLAW will see to it that any third parties are investigated to determine whether they were negligent. In cases like this, it may be found that there are both premises liability and product liability, based on the situation at the construction site.
Remember, GOLDLAW is here for you!
- We have been handling personal injury cases for over 20 years, and our team f experienced lawyers has successfully represented many clients who have been injured in construction accidents.
- We have a long history of successful verdicts in construction injury cases.
- We work on a CONTINGENCY fee basis, so we don’t get paid until we recover compensation for your injuries!
Questions? Click here to contact the experts at GOLDLAW, or “Choose the 2s” – 561-222-2222 – and call us for a COMPLIMENTARY consultation!