A deputy from the Broward Sheriff's Office required transportation to the hospital after sustaining injuries in an auto accident on Sunrise Blvd. Monday evening, according to the CBS 4 news website. The deputy reportedly had the emergency lights flashing on his patrol car when it collided with an SUV on NW 13th St. Following the Broward County auto accident, the deputy was taken to Broward General Medical Center, and two others received transportation to Plantation General Hospital. All three sustained non-life threatening injuries in the crash, which was still under investigation at the time of the report.
Since the officer was in his police cruiser and appears to have been on-duty at the time of the crash, he may be able to file a workers' compensation claim, pending the results of the investigation. If you would like more information about workers' comp., auto accidents, or any other personal injury case, feel free to contact attorney David Benenfeld at any of the numbers below.
A lighting technician at West Palm Beach's Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts was fatally injured in a tragic fall from a 30-foot-high catwalk on December 3, according to the Control Booth website. Twenty-seven-year-old Fenton "Andy" Hollingsworth had worked at the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse (which is part of the Center for the Performing Arts) since April 2007. According to the report, Hollingsworth was working with lighting gear that was mounted on a truss when he fell at the playhouse. Following the tragic working accident, the lighting tech was pronounced dead at West Palm Beach's St. Mary's Medical Center. As a wrongful death lawyer and workers' comp. attorney, David Benenfeld expresses his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Andy Hollingsworth. At Injury Law Service, our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
A Miami-Dade police officer required transportation by helicopter to the hospital after a serious car accident, according to the Sun Sentinel. His patrol car reportedly crashed into smashed a wall in front of a Dade County home after a white car that ran a red light clipped the cruiser.
If the officer was on duty at the time of the crash, he may be able to file a workers' compensation claim. For more information on workers' comp. or auto accidents in Broward, Dade, & Palm Beach counties, feel free to contact personal injury and workers' comp. attorney David Benenfeld. He will answer your questions for free with compassion and professionalism.
An early morning car accident involving a vehicle and a Palm Beach County Sheriff's patrol car may have been caused by a DUI driver, according to WPTV. According to investigators, a female driver ran a red traffic light around 4:30 a.m. and struck the patrol car with her vehicle at the intersection of Lucerne Ave. and Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. At the time of the report, the driver was likely to be required to undergo blood-alcohol testing. Although the deputy was reportedly not injured in the accident, his vehicle sustained serious damage on its front end.
No matter what your situation, feel free to contact me if you have questions regarding a work-related injury. I will be glad to answer your questions and consult with you for free about your unique situation.
As a workers' compensation lawyer, I can help you receive checks from the insurance company, treat with the best medical providers, and help you obtain a lump sum in your case. If you have more questions concerning work-related accidents, feel free to contact me with concerns regarding your unique situation. I will gladly answer your questions for free with compassion and understanding.
For a video explaining workers' compensation accidents, scroll to the first workers' comp. video on the top of our homepage.
A tragic worker's accident that occurred this May at Century Village in West Palm Beach is still gaining media attention and controversy, according to the Palm Beach Post. The article reports that worker Jason William Moyer, 39, sustained fatal injuries when doing maintenance on an elevator. Tragically, Moyer dropped four stories with the elevator when the stem of a hydraulic shut-off valve came out after he used a sledgehammer to fix the problem. Although the technique sounds unusual, it was actually standard practice, but became deadly due to the fact that the fluid was not blocked elsewhere. As a result, the fatal accident victim's employer was cited for improper training. The employer may also face charges for failing to replace the risky valves in some of the business' elevators. An estimated 3,000 valves in the 75,000 elevators across the state are still unsafe and in need of replacement, according to the article.
A Lauderhill police officer was taken to the hospital Thursday, September 24, after being struck by another vehicle in a hit-and-run accident in Broward County, according to the CBS 4 news website. Officer Elijah Rodgers was not in his police cruiser at the time of the accident, but on foot; he was talking to a driver he had pulled over when the driver fled the scene, dragging the officer for a short time and running over him. Following the Broward County car-pedestrian accident, the officer was airlifted to Broward General Medical Center where he was reportedly in stable condition. Lauderhill policemen detained and are interviewing the possible hit-and-run driver, who faces charges pending investigation.
A Miami worker was seriously injured when a gas tank exploded as he was trying to dismantle it, according to the CBS 4 website. The man's leg was reportedly severed below his knee in the Miami worker accident, which occurred when a spark ignited gas fumes as he was cutting through the tank with a circular saw. According to the article, the man and his leg were rushed to the hospital to see if it could be re-attached.
A tree trimmer suffered fatal injuries when he fell over 40 feet as he tried to avoid power lines, according to the ABC 25 WPBF website. The work-related accident occurred the morning of Friday, September 18, when the ladder of 27-year-old Nicholas Vitrano began to fall near surrounding power lines west of Boynton Beach. The worker was using a chain saw to trim trees when the ladder began to fall, so he pushed off the ladder to avoid contact with the power lines, says a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant. Following the Palm Beach County accident, the injured worker was taken via helicopter to Delray Community Hospital, where he died. At Injury Law Service, we express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Nicholas Vitrano. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
A Ft. Lauderdale police officer was injured in a rollover car accident on I-95 North while on-duty Sunday, September 20, according to the website of the Orlando Sentinel. The article reports that a section of I-95 in Ft. Lauderdale near Oakland Park Blvd. was shut down for hours after the crash for investigation. According to the Sentinel, the police officer was driving to respond to a report of a man with a gun when his cruiser and another vehicle collided, resulting in neck and back injuries to the officer. The other driver was reportedly rushed to Broward General Medical Center as a "trauma alert."
A recent on-the-job accident that resulted in injury for three workers in Miami has left two of the workers in critical condition, according to the Miami Herald. The article reports that the work-related accident occurred when a white vehicle sideswiped a Pontiac, which then caused the Pontiac to crash into three employees for City of Maimi Solid Waste. As of Friday morning, August 28, two of the injured workers were reportedly at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The third Miami worker was reportedly in stable condition.
A Broward Countyworker was shocked while working on near a power line this morning, August 26, according to the Orlando Seninel. The Miramar Fire Department reported to the Sentinel that the man was trimming trees near the power line at Sea Castle Elementary School in Miramar, FL, when he was shocked. After the work-related accident, the injured worker was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital as a precautionary measure, although his injuries were reportedly not serious.
A Deerfield Beach car-motorcycle collision injured a Broward County sheriff's deputy Saturday morning while he was on duty, according to the Sun-Sentinel. According to the report, Deputy David Roberts and two other officers were working a funeral assignment June 27 in Deerfield Beach when a white Acura TL swerved in front of Deputy Roberts' motorcycle around 9:50 a.m. and fled the scene. The hit-and-run Broward County accident caused the deputy to veer into the shoulder of the road, then down an embankment. Roberts had partially dismounted the motorcyle before it crashed into a steal beam. Although the deputy reportedly suffered only minor injuries in the crash, he was transported to North Broward Medical Center as a precautionary measure. Anyone with information about the driver of the Acura is asked to contact the Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. The hit-and-run vehicle reportedly made a u-turn after the incident and drove north on I-95.
Since this car accident occurred while the deputy was on duty, it lends itself to a potential workers' compensation claim. If you have been injured on the job and have questions about Florida workers' comp., your rights, or how to avoid mistakes following a work-related injury, feel free to call workers' comp. lawyerDavid Benenfeld at Injury Law Service. He will freely provide you with helpful resources, information, and answers to any questions you have regarding your unique situation.
Friday morning turned fatal for two construction workers and injured one in Jupiter, FL, when a vehicle struck them on the work site, according to ABC's WPBF-TV. The June 26th car-pedestrian accident took place when a woman who was driving a northbound Toyota Solara on Alt A1A collided with the workers and hit another vehicle around 12:21 a.m. According to police, 53-year-old Steven Dunn and 34-year-old Jesus Antonio Resendiz-Banales were resurfacing the road when the vehicle struck them, and they were pronounced dead at the scene. Palm Beach County resident Clint Talley was also involved in the accident but sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Jupiter Medical Center for treatment. It is not yet determined if the driver will face charges since the work-related accident is still under investigation. At Injury Law Service, we express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims in this accident. Our thoughts are with you at this indescribably difficult time.
A Broward County construction worker was killed Tuesday, June 16, after a he was pinned under a crane that collapsed in Lighthouse Point, according to the Sun-Sentinel online. After his coworkers rescued him, 43-year-old Albert Phillips, also known by friends and family as "Tiger," was taken by ambulance to North Broward Medical Center. Although he gave his co-workers a "thumbs up" sign when he was riding away in the ambulance, he died later at the hospital from injuries sustained in the accident. According to the article, "Tiger" Phillips was shoring up a seawall when the crane collapsed on his legs. Further details of the tragic accident are under investigation.
An employee from Florida Power & Light in Fort Lauderdale was killed Sunday while working on a power line along Broward Boulevard, according to Luisa Yanez and Diana Moskovitz of the Miami Herald online. The tragic accident took place just east of U.S. 1 in front of Washington Mutual and electrocuted Pembroke Pines resident Junior Seaton, 37, around 5:30 a.m. According to Fort Lauderdale police, power was restored before Seaton went back up to the charged line, and he was transported to Broward General Medical Center and pronounced dead following the incident. According to other workers, the power "flickered on" and went off again when the accident occurred.
We just added a blog about types of workplace injuries. Following an accident at work, individuals are often unsure if their injuries qualify as reasons to file claims against their employers, leaving them, at times, unable to perform the daily tasks associated with their jobs but fearful of filing for workers' compensation. To read about which injuries constitute true workplace injuries and which are the most common workers' comp.-related injuries, click here.
Work-related injuries can range from minor cuts, scrapes, or bruises to serious injuries requiring extended treatment or surgery, with their causes also varying in nature. Among one of the most frequent causes of workforce injuries are slip and fall accidents, which account for 15% of all work-related injuries, according to a report from the National Ag Safety Database on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. In the report, Carol J. Lehtola, William J. Becker, and Charles M. Brown state that more than one million people sustained injuries caused by a "slip, trip, or falling" accident in the year 1999 alone, resulting in the death of over 17,000 Americans. Workers died in approximately 5,100 of those fatal accidents caused by falls. What does a work-related injury cost? According to the report, the cost of one disabling injury averages around $28,000, with the total average including indirect costs at $46,000, a conservative estimate. When someone dies as a result of an accident that occurred on the job, it costs $940,000, based on the average. Not included in the figures are personal costs (or family costs) and the pain and suffering associated with the trauma experienced after injury.
Whether you have suffered a slip and fall injury that occurred on the ground (known as a "same-level fall") or sustained injuries after an elevated fall, the cost of medical bills, other expenses, and pain and suffering may be higher than what you would expect. A Florida workers' compensation attorney can help you recover the compensation you seek, and a slip and fall accident lawyer can help you file a claim if your injury occurred outside the workplace. Regardless of your accident, injury, or place it occurred, feel free to contact us at Injury Law Service with your most important questions. We handle workers' comp. and slip and fall cases throughout the Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area and will answer your questions for free. 1-866-943-5766.
Although many occupations involve risky, dangerous types of work, construction work occurs at, perhaps, one of the most dangerous sites for employees. Surrounded by heavy machinery, sharp objects, and often forced to work in confined or high spaces, construction workers are at-risk of safety hazards every time they step into the "office." When an at-work construction accident occurs, contractors and developers can be held responsible for the injury. If you have been injured at work and discover that your employer does not have workers' compensation insurance, you may wish to hire a lawyer who can help you file a workers' comp. claim. If you have been denied a workers' compensation claim, an attorney can assist you in recovering the compensation you seek for your unique case.
Among the most common types of construction accidents, which often result in workers' compensation claims, are accidents involving aerial lifts (such as platform, vertical tower, and boom platform accidents and falls), injuries caused by tool or equipment defects, and accidents in confined spaces (often involving hazardous chemicals). Other accidents occuring frequently at construction sites are those involving forklifts, cranes, and falls from scaffolding. If your employer has not strictly adhered to OSHA regulations or failed to educate or train you on safety equipment and precautions as well as operation of machinery or tools, you may choose to file a claim to compensate for your medical bills and pain and suffering. If you have any questions for an experienced Florida workers' comp. lawyer, please feel free to call us. We handle cases in Sunrise, Ft. Lauderdale, and throughout the state of Florida. Call 954-677-0155 or (toll free) 1-866-943-5766.
Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Law can be confusing, especially if you are trying to determine if you qualify for benefits. The Workers’ Comp law details who is eligible for coverage with his or her employer. Generally, benefits are available for people who have been injured on the job or who have developed a disease in direct relation to the nature of work, known as an occupational disease.
The law states that “the disablement or death of an employee resulting from an occupational disease…shall be treated as the happening of an injury by accident.” Basically, that means that if you have developed an illness or disease because of your job, you are entitled to the same benefits as if you were injured.
Occupational diseases are illnesses caused by the conditions that are characteristic of a particular trade. Based on this definition, an occupational disease would not include one that the general public is commonly exposed, unless the risk is higher with that type of work. Examples of occupational diseases include asbestosis from working with asbestos insulation, carpal tunnel syndrome developed from excessive data entry and radiation sickness from working in the nuclear industry.
To prove that an illness was the result of performing your job duties, you would need to provide medical evidence, such as a physical exam and diagnostic test. The occupational disease must be the main factor of your injury to be eligible to receive compensation. If the evidence shows that your illness is tied to your job, you should be able to receive worker’s compensation benefits. Compensation includes weekly benefits and medical treatment. Weekly benefits are paid at a maximum of 66 2/3 percent of your average weekly salary.
Contact David Benenfeld at (866) 943-5766 for legal advice regarding your Florida workers’ comp case.
Hurricanes and tropical storms are nothing new for residents of South Florida. In fact, they have become almost commonplace, if such disasters can be called that.