St. Petersburg Heavy Equipment Accident Lawyer
Have you or a family member been injured in a heavy equipment accident in St. Petersburg, Florida? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages.
Since 1955, our legal team at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers has been working with clients to get them the money they deserve after an accident or injury.
Our law firm has recovered millions of dollars for our clients in negotiated settlements and jury verdicts. Our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers have over 300 years of collective legal experience handling accident cases. We offer a no-win, no-fee guarantee.
Contact our St. Petersburg law firm to schedule a free consultation at (727) 591-3354 with one of our heavy equipment accident lawyers.
How Our St. Petersburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help You After an Accident Involving Heavy Equipment
When you are injured in an accident involving heavy equipment, you could have more than one cause of action to recover compensation. If the accident occurs on the job, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. However, you could also have a third-party claim that results in additional compensation not available through workers’ comp.
Our St. Petersburg heavy equipment accident attorneys at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers will carefully analyze your case to determine how your accident occurred. Then, we will identify each party who could be liable for your damages, including third parties. We’ll pursue each claim to recover maximum compensation for you.
When you hire our award-winning lawyers, you can expect us to:
- Conduct an independent investigation into how the accident occurred
- File claims and monitor each claim
- Work with expert witnesses and industry experts to gather additional evidence to strengthen your case
- Document your damages to determine how much your claim is worth
- Handle all administrative aspects of your claim
- Negotiate settlements and represent you in court
Let us help you receive a fair settlement for your heavy equipment accident claim. Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg, FL.
What Causes Heavy Equipment Accidents in St. Petersburg, FL?
Working on a construction site or other job site with heavy equipment can be dangerous. You do not have to work directly with the heavy equipment to be injured. You could be injured in a run-over accident or caught-in-between accident.
Common causes of heavy equipment accidents include:
- Failing to inspect, maintain, and repair heavy machinery
- Using defective machines and tools
- Debris falling
- Machinery entanglement
- Collisions with heavy equipment
- Workers pinned between, inside, or underneath heavy equipment
- Inadequate training and experience
- Failure to follow safety procedures and regulations
- Backup accidents and collisions with stationary objects
- Operator negligence, including alcohol and/or drug use, distractions, recklessness, and drowsiness
- Faulty shut-off switches
- Lack of safety guards and missing lockouts
Workers and bystanders must exercise extreme caution when working with or being near heavy equipment. Negligence and carelessness can lead to a devastating accident that results in death or catastrophic injuries.
Common Types of Injuries Caused By Heavy Equipment Accidents in St. Petersburg, Florida
Heavy equipment accidents can result in multiple injuries and life-threatening conditions.
Common injuries sustained in accidents involving heavy machinery include:
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Fractures and broken bones
- Injuries to internal organs
- Vision and hearing loss
- Back and neck injuries
- Repetitive trauma injuries
Emergency medical services are often required to treat heavy equipment injuries. The worker is rushed to the emergency room for treatment. If the worker does not go to the hospital, they should seek immediate medical care from a doctor.
What Machinery Is Included in the Definition of Heavy Equipment?
Heavy equipment includes machinery used to construct buildings, roads, and other structures.
Examples of heavy equipment include, but are not limited to:
- Cranes
- Dump trucks
- Forklifts
- Excavators
- Graders
- Backhoes
- Bulldozers
- Mixers and pumps
- Cherry pickers
- Front end loaders
- Tractors
- Trenchers
- Pile drivers
- Compactors
There is no standard definition or weight requirement for heavy machinery. Smaller machines might be considered lightweight construction equipment. However, because of their size and weight, they still qualify as “heavy” machinery.
Who Is Liable for Damages Caused By a Heavy Equipment Accident in St. Petersburg, Florida?
Most heavy equipment accidents occur on construction sites and other work sites. Injured workers can file for benefits under Florida’s workers’ compensation system.
An injured worker can receive medical care for their injuries. Employees who cannot work because of their injury can also receive disability benefits for lost wages.
However, workers’ compensation benefits do not compensate workers for all losses and damages. Injured workers are not compensated for all lost wages or their pain and suffering damages.
Therefore, it is important to talk with a St. Petersburg heavy equipment accident attorney about a third-party claim. A third-party claim can provide additional compensation for damages not covered by workers’ comp.
Third parties who could be liable for economic and non-economic damages for a heavy equipment accident include property owners, contractors, and equipment manufacturers. Other parties could be liable for damages like lost time and medical benefits depending on the circumstances.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Workers’ Compensation Attorney in St. Petersburg
Our personal injury lawyers have experience handling claims involving heavy equipment injuries. Call now for a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced St. Petersburg workers’ compensation attorney.
We treat you like family.
If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.
Representing Accident Victims in Tampa Bay since 1955
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“Friendly knowledgeable and kept me informed about my case. Any offer, bill or question was readily answered. Would definitely recommend and refer people to Bryan Caulfield and his team!!”- Betty B.
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“Mrs Bryant works her butt off to make sure you get what is do to you in medical and beyond! They won’t take your case if they don’t feel you haven’t been wronged.”- Christine R.
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“Working with Mark Perenich on my auto injury case was an absolute game-changer. From the very beginning, he brought a level of professionalism, expertise, and care that immediately put us at ease.”- Kerry B.
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“Lorrie and Allyson are phenomenal. I highly recommend them to anyone. It seemed like a never ending journey but I can’t thank them enough for diligently fighting my case with the greatest integrity, support and prayers.”- Former Client
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“What was particularly awe inspiring was the recall of facts and testimonies from medical personnel that Para Legal Ms. Josephine Elizabeth Angelo was able to make. Her memory and acumen for detail was admirable.”- Maylisa Y.
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We’ve been proudly serving Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and the Tampa Bay area for generations. As the first personal injury law firm in Clearwater, our dedicated legal team brings over 300 years of combined experience to each and every case. If you’ve been injured and need support, please reach outtoday for a free consultation, we are here to help you.
