Were you recently injured in a construction accident in St. Petersburg, Florida? You don’t have to struggle with the consequences alone. Contact Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers at (813) 536-3527 to learn how our experienced St. Petersburg construction accident lawyers can help you fight for full compensation. Your consultation is completely free of charge.
Our dedicated team understands the challenges that can follow a serious construction accident. We’re committed to providing trusted legal guidance and helping you navigate the claims process with confidence.
Why Choose Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers for Help After a Construction Accident in St. Petersburg, FL?
Construction accident claims can be complicated, particularly when serious injuries, multiple responsible parties, or insurance disputes are involved. Having an experienced legal team on your side can make a meaningful difference.
Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers brings more than 120 years of combined legal experience to every case. Our St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys understand how insurance companies approach injury claims and are prepared to protect your interests throughout the process.
Our commitment to our clients and the legal profession has earned our firm recognition, including:
- An AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Champion award
- More than 1,000 Google reviews from clients
We use our experience and resources to build strong claims and pursue the compensation our clients deserve. If you were hurt on a construction site, contact us today for a free consultation with a St. Petersburg construction accident attorney.
Statistics on Construction Accidents in Florida
Construction is a major industry throughout Florida, including the Tampa Bay area. However, construction workers can face significant risks from falls, heavy equipment, dangerous machinery, and other workplace hazards.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 88 construction workers lost their lives in work-related accidents in Florida in 2024. These fatalities highlight the serious dangers workers may encounter on construction sites throughout the state.
Our Attorneys in St. Petersburg Represent Clients Injured in All Types of Construction Accidents
Our attorneys are ready to fight for you regardless of how you were hurt.
Common examples of construction accidents include:
- Scaffolding accidents and falls
- Scaffolding collapse
- Building and structural collapse
- Electrocutions, electric shock, and other electrical accidents
- Roofing and ladder accidents
- Demolition accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trenching accidents
- Excavation accidents
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Transportation and motor vehicle accidents
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Accidents involving falling objects
- Accidents where workers are caught between objects
It’s important that you don’t leave anything to chance after a workplace injury. You only have one chance to get the compensation you deserve. Call our law firm today to explore your options.
Understanding Your Options for Getting Compensation After a Construction Accident in St. Petersburg
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you have one or two options for getting compensation.
Workers’ compensation is the most common path toward recovering compensation. Personal injury claims are an option only in some cases.
Workers’ Compensation in Florida
Workers’ compensation is mandatory for Florida construction employers. Even if your employer has only a single employee, they’re required to carry coverage.
Workers’ compensation is insurance. Employers purchase it to provide compensation to workers who are injured on the job.
You qualify for benefits if you were injured in the course of employment. So, if your accident occurred while you were on the job and doing something work-related, you likely qualify–assuming that you’re classified as an employee.
Workers’ compensation provides the following types of benefits:
- Medical expense coverage
- Disability benefits, which cover a portion of your lost wages
- Death benefits for survivors of fatal workplace accidents
You start by notifying your employer and filing a claim with their insurance company. It’s a no-fault system, meaning that you don’t have to have evidence to prove your employer was responsible for your injuries.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Because of the no-fault nature of workers’ comp, you generally cannot sue your employer for damages. If they paid for workers’ compensation insurance, they’ve satisfied their duties.
Third parties aren’t shielded from civil personal injury lawsuits. They can be held liable for their actions like anyone else.
Responsible parties might include:
- Property owners
- Negligent drivers
- General contractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- Vendors and suppliers
The key is that the responsible party must be someone other than your employer.
Workers’ compensation is extremely limited. You’ll only receive a fraction of your lost income–and your pain and suffering isn’t even considered. Depending on who caused your injuries, filing a lawsuit can help you increase your overall compensation.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available Through a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Personal injury victims can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages, including:
- All medical expenses
- Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Humiliation
Punitive damages may also be available in some cases, but only if the defendant’s actions demonstrate intentional wrongdoing or a clear disregard for your safety.
How Much is My St. Petersburg Construction Accident Case Worth?
Factors that will be analyzed to determine how much compensation you deserve include:
- The type of injuries involved
- Whether you’ve suffered a permanent disability or will make a full recovery
- Whether you will remain impaired after reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI)
- Your average earnings prior to the accident
- How much you can earn with the disability
- Whether you can file a lawsuit or are limited to workers’ compensation
Workers’ compensation benefits are limited by state law. Disability benefits are capped and are only available for a certain period of time. It’s important to ensure your benefits package is providing the compensation you really deserve.
Exploring other options can also be beneficial. Personal injury cases tend to be worth more than workers’ compensation claims. That’s partly because non-economic benefits are also included.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Construction Accident in Florida?
We offer our top-quality legal services on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing to retain our law firm. Instead, our fees are deducted directly from your financial award.
That means you do not have to worry about paying attorney’s fees upfront while you are dealing with medical expenses, lost income, and other costs related to your accident. If we do not recover compensation for you, you do not owe us attorney’s fees.
Can Florida Comparative Fault Laws Impact My Construction Accident Claim?
Florida’s modified comparative negligence law applies if you’re able to file a third-party claim. Victims cannot receive compensation if their share of the blame exceeds 50%. Assuming some fault is allocated to the victim, but less than 51%, damages are reduced in proportion to fault.
So, if you were 30% responsible, the third-party defendant is only liable for 70% of your damages. If you were 51% responsible, you’ll receive nothing.
Workers’ compensation is not impacted by shared fault. Your full benefits are available even if you caused your own injuries. That’s because it’s an insurance-based system.
What Are the Leading Causes of Most Construction Accidents in St. Petersburg?
Construction workers in Florida are exposed to all kinds of risks.
Some of the most common causes of construction accidents include:
- Missing or damaged safety protection equipment
- Lack of fall protection gear
- Failure to provide fall prevention training
- Inadequate maintenance
- Failure to conduct proper inspections
- Communication failures
- Hiring unqualified workers and failing to train/supervise them
- Dangerous property conditions
Both OSHA and the state of Florida have developed safety regulations to keep construction workers safe. Those regulations are only effective when they’re followed. Many construction accidents occur because someone has ignored relevant safety regulations.
How Long Do I Have to Seek Compensation After a Construction Accident in Florida?
Regardless of the laws that apply, it’s important to remember the procedural rules. If you don’t follow the right process, you lose your right to compensation. One of those rules imposes deadlines for taking legal action.
To protect your right to workers’ compensation, it’s important to notify your employer within 30 days of the accident. This notice triggers your employer’s obligation to notify their workers’ compensation company.
Different deadlines apply in personal injury cases. The statute of limitations generally gives victims two years to file a lawsuit against a negligent third party.
Call a St. Petersburg Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review
Construction accidents can be stressful and expensive. Hiring an experienced St. Petersburg construction accident attorney is the best way to protect yourself. Contact Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers today to learn more about how our skilled team can fight for the money you deserve.
