In jobs where there are heavy physical demands, workers are at a much higher risk of suffering severe or catastrophic injuries and fatalities than those working in other industries. If you were severely hurt in a slip and fall accident in Fort Lauderdale and throughout the state of Florida, contacting an experienced injury lawyer right away to discuss your rights and legal options is key to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
At Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick, P.A., our focus is on the health and wellbeing of injured workers in our community. We are committed to seeking fair compensation if you’ve been hurt on the job, whether it is through a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party injury lawsuit.
The Most Dangerous Jobs in the Nation
In early 2019, USA Today took an in-depth look at the United States Bureau of Labor’s (BLS) report from 2017 on fatal occupational injuries (5,147) and ranked the 25 most dangerous occupations in the US. Ken Kolosh, who manages statistics at the National Safety Council, noted that jobs with the highest fatality rates have one or more of these things in common:
- Working from heights where a fall would be deadly
- Working with and around dangerous machinery
- Driving for long periods of time
Jobs related to construction and manufacturing, two of the leading types of employment in South Florida, account for almost one-half of the most dangerous occupations in America. While transportation-related jobs have the highest percentage of fatalities in the nation. Workplace slip and fall fatalities followed close behind in second place.
Florida Slip and Fall Fatalities
The 2017 BLS occupational fatality report also included regional workplace fatality data compared with national workplace fatality data. In Florida, the percentage of workplace slip and fall fatalities was significantly higher (21%) than the national percentage (17%).
Construction fatalities accounted for a total of 47% of the workplace fatalities in 2017, so it’s logical to conclude that this industry likely had the highest number of slip and fall fatalities in the state as well.
What Recourse Do the Families of Slip and Fall Fatality Victims Have?
Florida employers who have four or more employees must carry worker’s compensation to cover accidental injuries or on-the-job illnesses. Some companies self-insure, while other companies have worker’s compensation coverage through an insurance company.
Since Florida is a no-fault state, employees who suffer slip and fall injuries on the job don’t have to prove that their employer was negligent to be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits.
However, with slip and fall fatalities, which are not covered under worker’s compensation, surviving family members of the victims could file a personal injury lawsuit for wrongful death against the employer.
A wrongful death lawsuit for slip and fall fatalities can seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, and the victim’s pain and suffering, as well as:
- Loss suffered by the victim’s spouse
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of services
- Loss of parental help and guidance
Losing a loved one is never easy, regardless of the circumstances. But when you’ve lost a loved one to a workplace slip and fall accident, the pain can be even more intense.
Contact a Ft. Lauderdale Slip and Fall Lawyer
While slips, trips, and falls can easily happen at any workplace, it is crucial to ensure that employees get the medical care and wage reimbursement they deserve if they’ve been seriously hurt. If you’ve been hurt on the job in Florida, contact the skilled workplace accident attorneys of Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick, P.A. to discuss your rights and the compensation that might be available to you. Call us at (954) 905-4600 or reach out to us online to schedule your free case evaluation today.