South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
A Palm Beach work accident sent a man to the hospital after he fell 30 feet inside a water tank, the Palm Beach Post reported.
Fall Accidents at work are one of the leading causes of employee injuries nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue said the man was working at the county’s water plant on Pinehurst Drive, just west of Jog Road. Details of his injuries were not available but he was reportedly transported to the hospital with broken bones.
Employers have an obligation to provide harnesses and other necessary safety gear for employees who are working at height. A worker who is injured on the job is entitled to Florida workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who was at fault. Such benefits are designed to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs associated with a work accident. In other cases, where a personal injury or wrongful death is caused by the negligence of a third party, such as a subcontractor or property owner, a lawsuit may be filed seeking additional compensation.
In still other cases, a defective product lawsuit may be filed if dangerous or defective equipment contributed to a serious or fatal accident while on the job.
In 2009, the government reports 579 employees were killed in fall accidents. The overall number of serious and fatal work accidents has declined along with the struggling economy. Fall accidents killed 814 employees in 2007.
Freeman & Mallard is a personal injury and wrongful death law firm dedicated to helping motorists who have been injured in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and the Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce areas. Call today for a free consultation. 1-800-529-2368.