Authorities report that a Florida Power & Light (FLP) worker was electrocuted at a construction site in Hallandale Beach on Friday morning.

According to Hallandale Beach police, the incident occurred just before 7:30 a.m. on November 15 at a construction site on North Federal Highway and Pembroke Road, near the Big Easy Casino. A 41-year-old FLP worker, who hasn’t been named, was working on a power line when he was electrocuted.

Paramedics arrived at the location and found the worker unresponsive. He was rushed to Aventura Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An FLP representative released the following statement:

“We are aware of a serious incident that occurred this morning in Hallandale Beach involving a contractor working on behalf of FPL,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the person who was involved in the incident.”

Police don’t suspect any foul play. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified about the accident and is investigating together with Hallandale police and the Broward Medical Examiner’s Office.

Electrocutions by power lines aren’t uncommon in South Florida. Late last month, a subcontractor for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) was electrocuted by a power line while installing traffic lights in East Arlington.

The incident occurred before noon on October 25 along North Kernan Boulevard. The worker was reportedly installing new lights using a boom truck when the crane came into contact with a power line, causing it to become energized and electrocuting the worker in the truck.

The man’s co-workers administered CPR until paramedics arrived and took over. He was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition.

The accident caused more than 1,100 people in the area to lose power. Jacksonville’s electric utility company told news sources that it hadn’t received a request to shut off power to the transmission lines in the area while the traffic lights were being installed. Utility was restored later that afternoon.

OSHA was reportedly on the scene together with Jacksonville police.

A spokesperson for JTA released the following statement:

“JTA’s main concern is the health and well-being of the subcontractor who was seriously injured today while working on the Kernan Blvd. improvement project, part of JTA’s MobilityWorks program. We are fully cooperating with authorities as they investigate the cause of the accident.”

JTA’s program started in June 2018 to widen a three-mile stretch of Kernan Boulevard. The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2020, includes the installation of traffic lights and expansion of traffic lanes.

Electricity is a common cause of injury on job sites. Workers who are electrocuted on the job can file for workers’ compensation to help cover medical expenses and a portion of lost income. In cases like this, it is important for injured workers to hire an attorney who can properly file the claim, and ensure they receive full compensation from their employer’s insurer.

South Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you or your loved one was injured at a job site, you should hire an attorney. Contact us for a free initial consultation and work with one of South Florida’s most experienced workers’ compensation defense attorneys.

Source: 11.15.19 Man Electrocuted at Construction Site in Hallandale Beach, FL.pdf