Earlier this month, construction began on a new parking garage at Miami-Dade College’s West Campus in Doral, Florida. The new garage will replace the existing garage that tragically collapsed two years ago, killing four construction workers who were working at the time when the garage collapsed.
According to one local news report, the garage was under construction when a support column gave out, causing the garage to collapse on top of those working inside at the time. A total of four men lost their lives in the tragic collapse. An attorney for the college told reporters that “there was a column–a structural column–that needed to have grout or some kind of cement … They missed–they simply missed the fact that the column was not grouted safely.”
Since then, the college has been in negotiations to secure construction contracts for a new, safer garage. In the wake of the accident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an investigation, finding that there was a failure to provide a workplace that was “free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.”
Workplace Accidents in Florida
It is a common misconception that a worker’s compensation claim is the only means for those injured on the job to seek compensation for their injuries. In Florida, a workplace injury claim can be heard in the courts, depending on whom the lawsuit is brought against.
Worker’s compensation is designed to help workers who were injured by the negligence of a fellow employee or their employer. However, if the accident was caused by a third party, such as another contractor on the site, a customer, or a passer-by, workers’ compensation may be bypassed in favor of a personal injury lawsuit.
Generally speaking, a successful personal injury lawsuit will be more lucrative for the injured party, allowing them to recoup for a broader category of injuries and losses. In some cases, a successful personal injury plaintiff can recover for past medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, and decrease in future earning capacity, as well as for any pain and suffering caused by the accident. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, consider speaking to a dedicated South Florida personal injury attorney to better understand what options you have.
Have You Been Injured in a South Florida Workplace Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in any kind of workplace accident in South Florida, you may be entitled to monetary compensation through a Florida personal injury lawsuit. Keep in mind that it is unusual that the named defendants will agree with your claims, and they will often fiercely contest them. Therefore, it is advised that you speak with one of the dedicated attorneys at the South Florida personal injury law firm of Cecere Santana. The skilled advocates at Cecere Santana have decades of combined experience holding negligent parties responsible for their actions. Call 800-753-5529 to set up a free consultation with an attorney today.
See More Blog Posts:
Miami Lakes Car Accident Claims Three Lives Earlier this Month, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published April 26, 2015.
Construction Accident in Southeast Miami Leaves Two Workers Injured, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published February 11, 2015.
