The three individuals who were injured after a platform holding equipment at a downtown Ft. Lauderdale construction site collapsed, causing crane parts to plummet, may all have cause to file personal injury claims based on defective product and dangerous conditions at the construction site.
Platform fails while workers were adjusting crane
According to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Stephen Gollan, workers were in the process of “stepping the crane,” when a platform holding equipment failed, sending items from the platform down onto the Southeast Third Avenue Bridge. “Stepping” is a maneuver where crews add sections to elevate a tower crane, so it can continue working on a building as it grows taller. The construction worker, who has yet to be identified, fell with the load “off of the side of the building, said Gollan. Two of the people who were injured were hospitalized and were in stable condition. The third person injured refused to be transported to a hospital.
Driver narrowly avoids death at construction site
Mark Cerezin of Fort Lauderdale was driving his Tesla across the Southeast Third Avenue Bridge at about 4:30pm when he felt as if “something was coming.” Despite slamming on his brakes, a huge piece of the crane’s blue steel fell onto his car, rebounded off the bridge, and landed to his right on top of another car.
“It was like slow motion,” said Cerezin. “That piece of metal bounced in the air and then went to the right and landed on another car. I couldn’t believe that I was alive.” The vehicle hit by the bouncing metal structure was almost split in half. Cerezin’s Tesla had significant front-end damage. Realizing he was not injured, Cerezin exited his vehicle and helped a lady at the scene who was bleeding. “My heart goes out, I mean to this person who lost their life and to their loved ones,” said Cerezin. “I mean, that could have been me.”
Witness describes scene as a “horror movie”
Valeriia Becher was in a car with family members just yards away from where the tragedy happened and was able to take video moments after the crane fell. “We saw like in a movie, like a horror movie we seen this – we’re watching this construction details (sic) just falling like paper,” Becher said. Overnight, crews removed the section of the crane from the road and patched the hole made by the impact with a metal plate. The road was later reopened to traffic.
Who is responsible?
This has yet to be determined, as the investigation at the construction site is just in the beginning stages. At this time, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and Fort Lauderdale Police are investigating. According to available information, KAST Construction holds the permit to the $87.9M project site located at 333 North River Drive. At this point is is unclear if KAST or a subcontractor was overseeing the crane operations at the site. However, KAST has settled a number of lawsuits involving allegations of negligence and injury over the last few years.
Potential Claims after a Construction Accident: Worker’s Compensation and Personal Injury
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, you could be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits. In some cases, you could also be eligible to file a personal injury claim as well – for example, if your injury occurred because of a manufacturer defect. If you are considering filing a construction accident-related claim, you’ll need to take the following steps:
- Notify your Employer: This is a MUST! In Florida, you have 30 days to notify your employer about your accident at work.
- Seek Medical Attention: It’s important to seek medical attention ASAP after the accident occurs. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and get checked by a doctor. In addition, seeking medical attention starts the paper trail that will be helpful if/when you file a claim.
- Gather Evidence: This can include pictures of the accident site, witness statements, and copies of any medical records or bills related to your injuries.
- Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer: An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the claims process and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Why hire GOLDLAW?
- GOLDLAW has been handling personal injury cases for years, and our team of experienced lawyers has successfully represented MANY clients who have been the victims of construction accidents.
- GOLDLAW has a long history of successful verdicts and settlements in construction accident cases.
- GOLDLAW works on a contingency fee basis, so we don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for your injuries!
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident due to the negligence of another or a defective equipment, GOLDLAW may be able to help you recover compensation that includes:
- Lost Wages
- Hospital/Medical Bills
- Pain and Suffering
- Costs of Future Care
To see if you have a case, “Choose the 2’s,” and call GOLDLAW at 561-222-2222, or click here for a COMPLIMENTARY case evaluation!