Construction Accident Lawyers Serving Jacksonville and Nearby Areas of Florida
Our Jacksonville construction accident lawyers fight for injured workers. Committed to holding negligent parties accountable, we’ll help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Every year, thousands of construction workers—many right here in Jacksonville—sustain serious injuries on the job. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there were more than 21,000 non-fatal injuries sustained by construction workers in 2023, a number consistent with years past that highlights just how dangerous the building trades can be.
Some of the injuries caused by accidents on construction sites are best handled through workers’ compensation alone. This no-fault insurance provides coverage for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. It continues until you can return to work. Most construction accident claims in Florida follow this route.
Under most circumstances in Florida, if your employer carries workers’ comp insurance, you cannot make a personal injury claim against them for job-related accidents.
Construction injuries that result from third-party negligence, another contractor, defective equipment, or another issue not linked to an employer may entitle victims to seek additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Working with an experienced Jacksonville construction accident lawyer is the best way to learn which path is right for your claim.
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No matter the cause of your construction accident, you should file a workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible. If your injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence, you could file a personal injury claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim.
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers Fights for Victims of Construction Accidents in Jacksonville
Construction accidents can have devastating consequences for people working on nearly any job site. Accidents involving falls, electrocutions, struck-by-objects, and equipment malfunctions often lead to physical, emotional, and financial hardships for victims and those they love. At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience handling construction accident injury claims in Jacksonville and throughout Florida. We will review your case—free of cost and commitment—to help you understand your options, assess your rights, and determine how to seek the justice you are due.
Undocumented Workers Have Rights, Too
As an undocumented worker injured on a construction site, it’s important to know that you have the same rights under Florida law as everyone else. Undocumented workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits just like all other employees. Your immigration status cannot be used against you in a workers’ compensation claim, and filing a claim does not put you at risk for deportation. Employers and insurance companies are prohibited from reporting your status or retaliating against you for seeking benefits.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we understand the fears that undocumented workers may face after an on-the-job accident. We are committed to protecting your rights and ensuring your immigration status does not prevent you from receiving the compensation you are entitled to.
Talk to a Jacksonville Construction Accident Lawyer for Free
To schedule your FREE and confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, call Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers at 904-758-1111 right away. Our Jacksonville construction accident lawyers serve Lakeside, Jacksonville Beaches, and all nearby areas of Florida.
Common Jacksonville Construction Accident Injuries
Construction sites present several hazards for workers. According to OSHA, falls, trips, and slips are the leading causes of injury on construction sites, accounting for nearly 40% of all fatal construction accidents. These incidents are, however, far from the only threat construction workers face every day.
Common accidents our Jacksonville construction accident lawyers see include:
- Falls from Heights. Accidents involving scaffolding, ladders, or roofs are among the leading causes of construction site injuries.
- Electrocutions. Contact with live wires or faulty electrical systems can lead to severe burns and fatal injuries.
- Struck-By Accidents. Workers struck by falling tools, building materials, or heavy machinery often suffer serious injuries.
- Caught-In or Caught-Between Incidents. These accidents occur when workers are caught in or in between machinery or structures.
- Heavy machinery Accidents. Operating cranes, forklifts, and other heavy equipment can lead to crushing or rollover injuries.
Jacksonville is among the top 20 fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Along with growth comes a building boom, which is great news for people working in the construction industry. However, more building also means more opportunities for serious or fatal injury, making it important that workers understand their options and rights.
Top Construction Accident Injuries in Jacksonville
There are multiple opportunities for serious injury on construction sites. The risk of injury is even higher when proper safety protocols are overlooked or ignored. Issues including inadequate training, poor oversight, and rushed jobs may also contribute to the severity of construction accident injuries.
Injuries our Jacksonville construction accident lawyers frequently encounter include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations
- Crushing injuries
- Severe burns
- Chemical exposure
- Fractured and broken bones
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
Construction accident injuries may require long-term medical intervention, prevent you from working—now and in the future—and be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. Taking swift action to recover your damages helps to ensure all your needs are met, enabling you to focus on recovery and getting back to work.
Workers’ Comp vs. Personal Injury: Which Option Is Best?
Workers’ compensation provides basic benefits, including medical expenses and partial wage replacement. In Florida, most construction accidents qualify for workers’ compensation. However, it is important to note that workers’ compensation may not cover all of your damages and it will not provide compensation for pain and suffering.
Workers’ comp will pay for all your medical expenses. Wage coverage depends on the extent of injury. In Florida, this is typically 66.67% of your average weekly wage, though there are variations when disability is permanent.
The calculation of wages for workers’ compensation is based on your average weekly wage in the 91 days preceding your accident. If you worked less than 90% during those 91 days, your benefits will be based on a similar employee’s wages. If you worked fewer than 68.25 days in the 13 weeks leading up to your accident, the amount of compensation you receive will be adjusted accordingly.
While workers’ comp protects employees from lawsuits in many cases, there are specific scenarios where an injured worker can file a personal injury lawsuit to seek additional compensation. These accidents typically involve third-party liability and may include:
Defective Equipment or Machinery
If a piece of equipment—like a crane, forklift, or power tool—malfunctions due to a design flaw or manufacturing defect, you may pursue a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the product.
Negligence by Subcontractors or Third-Party Vendors
Construction sites may involve multiple contractors working alongside one another. If a subcontractor or an outside vendor fails to follow safety protocols and causes an accident, they can be held accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.
Unsafe Property Conditions
Property owners must maintain safe premises. If a property hazard—like an unstable floor, faulty wiring, or open trenches—causes an accident, you may be able to pursue a premises liability claim against the property owner or manager.
Vehicle Accidents on Job Sites
Construction sites often have heavy machinery, trucks, and other vehicles present. If you are struck by a negligent driver on a construction site—or while driving when performing work-related duties—you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver or their employer.
Toxic Exposure
If you are exposed to hazardous chemicals, fumes, or materials—such as asbestos or lead—due to the negligence of a third-party supplier, you may be able to pursue a claim for the resulting injuries or illness.
Intentional Misconduct or Gross Negligence
In rare cases, if an employer’s conduct goes beyond ordinary negligence—such as removing safety equipment, ignoring OSHA violations, or forcing workers to operate in unsafe conditions—you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the employer directly.
Whereas workers’ compensation provides coverage for medical expenses and lost wages, a personal injury claim may include damages for pain and suffering, emotional duress, loss of earning capacity, and much more. However, to file a personal injury claim, someone else needs to be responsible for your injury. During your FREE consultation at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we can discuss the difference between workers’ compensation and a personal injury lawsuit in Florida to ensure you fully understand your options.
How Much Time Do I Have to Report a Construction Accident in Jacksonville?
You have 30 days to report your accident to your employer for workers’ compensation. Failure to report your accident in this amount of time may result in a denial of your claim.
You have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit following a construction accident. Failure to act within this time will likely result in losing your right to seek compensation through legal action.
You don’t have much time to file a personal injury claim in Florida. You have substantially less time to file a workers’ compensation claim. Neither should be prolonged. Talking to one of our Jacksonville construction accident lawyers before the statute of limitations expires helps to preserve your rights and options and may assist in building a stronger and more compelling case. If you’ve been injured, don’t delay. Reach out to Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers to schedule your free consultation and let us start you on the path to recovery.
How Is Liability Determined in a Jacksonville Construction Accident Claim?
Determining liability following a construction accident can be a very complex task. Multiple parties may share responsibility. Establishing who can be held responsible is the first step in determining how to proceed.
To establish liability, a thorough investigation will need to be carried out. This may include reviewing video and photographic evidence, interviewing witnesses, analyzing emergency personnel notes, and evaluating medical records. In some cases, accident reconstruction experts are necessary to fully understand the situation. In others, medical experts are needed to assess the long-term impact of injuries. When you choose Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, for your construction accident, our experienced attorneys will handle this entire process.
Establishing liability for a construction accident is necessary if you want to seek damages beyond the offerings of workers’ compensation. However, in nearly all cases, injured workers are entitled to workers’ comp regardless of fault.
What About Florida’s Comparative Fault Rule?
Florida operates under a modified comparative negligence law. Under this law, victims of construction accidents can file a personal injury claim against a third party so long as they are less than 50% responsible for the accident. If an injured worker is more than 50% responsible, they will be barred from seeking compensation through legal action.
Types of Compensation Available Through a Personal Injury Lawsuit
As mentioned before, workers’ compensation in Florida covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. If an injury is severe or permanent, there are additional benefits that may be provided by workers’ comp. However, even at its maximum, workers’ compensation will not provide the same level of comprehensive damages compensation available through a personal injury lawsuit.
Types of compensation injured construction workers can seek through a personal injury lawsuit include:
- Medical Expenses: Hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
- Lost Wages: Missed work and reduced earning capacity
- Related Expenses: Personal adaptive technology, home and vehicle adaptive devices
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, reduced quality of life
In the case of fatal construction accidents, surviving family members may be entitled to seek damages for end-of-life expenses, lost income, loss of companionship, and more through a wrongful death claim. In addition, workers’ compensation offers up to $150,000 to compensate children and spouses after the loss of a loved one in a construction accident.
All construction accident claims should start with workers’ comp. Those involving third-party negligence can extend into a personal injury lawsuit. Through this, victims can seek a larger, more substantial settlement or verdict than would otherwise be awarded.
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How Much Is My Construction Injury Claim Worth?
The value of your construction accident injury claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of third-party negligence, and whether your claim qualifies for more than workers’ compensation. This makes it very difficult to determine what a claim is worth without a one-on-one consultation.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, your initial consultation costs nothing. We want to give you the opportunity to tell your story and understand your options without feeling like you must commit to a specific action. If you choose to work with us, we will represent you on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay for our legal services after we have secured a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
Our Jacksonville Construction Accident Lawyers Fight for Real Justice
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we believe that every injured worker deserves real justice. Our Jacksonville construction accident lawyers have decades of experience investigating these accidents, establishing liability, and helping injured workers understand their rights. We are here to listen to your story, provide actionable advice, and help you determine the best path forward.
A Top Jacksonville law firm, Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers has secured millions in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Tireless advocates for individuals and families dealing with serious injury, we are prepared to work on your case right away to help you get full compensation in the shortest amount of time possible.
Contact Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers for a FREE Case Review
If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been killed in a construction accident in Jacksonville, contact Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers online or call us at 904-758-1111 to schedule your complimentary case evaluation. Located in Jacksonville, our construction injury attorneys serve all nearby areas of Florida.