While the national average of workplace-related deaths have declined recently, Florida’s workplace fatalities have risen, leading to new concerns about employee safety.
Over the most recent reporting period, Florida’s rate of employee fatalities increased from 2.7 to 3.1 out of every 1,000 workers. During that same time, the national average fell from 3.43 to 3.38 per 1,000 workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Specifically in 2015, Florida job-related deaths increased by 44, to reach a total of 272.
When a fatality like this occurs it is important that an immediate investigation is done to determine the true cause of the tragedy, and also, what safeguards or precautions could have, or were supposed to have been taken to prevent the occurrence of such incidents. In Florida, employees that are injured or killed on the job are generally only able to receive compensation through their Florida employer’s worker’s compensation insurance, however, the exception to this general rule is that if a Florida employee is injured as the result of an employer’s intentional or egregious conduct, the Florida employee may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the employer.
There are other circumstances in which a Florida employee injured on the job could take legal action against parties other than their employer, depending on how the injury occurred. Such examples would be if a third party caused the injury, if a defective product caused the injury, and certain others.
If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, it is imperative you seek the guidance of a skilled Fort Lauderdale attorney with the experience and knowledge to help determine all parties that may potentially be liable for causing injuries, and to make sure that the Florida employee’s interests and rights are protected.
For more information on this topic or any other, please contact the Schulman Law Group at (954) 349-3300 or at info@schulaw.com
