A Clearwater, Florida worker was sent to the hospital with severe injuries after a fall, news sources report. His employer, an electric company, had sent him to the job site to make necessary repairs when the fall occurred. It is not yet known if he has contracted an attorney.
The 25-foot fall occurred at 9:40 a.m. at the Clear Bay Terrace Apartments, a senior citizen living facility. The worker, a man with 15 years of experience with the company, is reported to have used the lift while it was in the back of the trailer instead of on even ground. There is speculation that he may have tried to use the extra height provided by the trailer to reach a light fixture in order to repair it. Despite his experience, it is not clear if the man received proper training on how to use the lift he was injured on.
The man, reportedly in his 60s, was quickly transported via medical helicopter to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg with life-threatening injuries, sources say. The man’s identity has not yet been disclosed. It is also not known what his family situation is or whether he was the sole breadwinner. In such cases, families can often pursue compensation for lost wages as well as for medical costs.
Workplace falls are all too common and can create lifelong pain and injuries. Additionally, some falls are dangerous enough to cause death. In 2016, almost 700 people died in a fall to a lower level, while more than 48,000 suffered falls which caused them to take time off of work where they may have lost hourly wages. While many believe life-threatening falls must be from tall heights, more than 130 falls that resulted in death were from same-level falls.
In Florida, there were more than 60 reported falls, slips, or trips in 2017 that caused fatal injuries. These statistics did not represent a significant change from previous years demonstrating the dangerous nature of falls in the state. This alarming number should help spur workplace safety advocates to get involved in improving awareness of this unheralded killer.
From 2007 to 2011, the construction industry in Florida had more than 700 deaths caused from on-the-job injuries with falls being the leading cause of these accidents. Of deaths between 2007–2010, the majority of falls were from roofs or ladders and those 35 to 44 years old were the most impacted. However, those 55 to 64 years old were the next most impacted group. White non-Hispanics were disproportionately impacted by these injuries, with 75% of this group being affected.
The medical status of the Clearwater, Florida man is unknown at this time. Falls on the job are nothing new to many who work in construction or service industries, and fighting for your rights is crucial if you are going to qualify for the settlement you deserve.
South Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you or your loved one was injured due to a fall, you should hire an attorney. Contact us for a free initial consultation with one of South Florida’s most experienced workers’ compensation defense attorneys.
Sources: 11.26.19 Worker Injured In Fall In Clearwater, 11.26.19 Fall Injury Statistics, 11.26.19 Fatal Fall Statistics