Fort Lauderdale Landscaper Electrocuted On the Job: Know the Risks and What Florida Workers’ Compensation Covers
A landscaper suffered fatal on-the-job injuries in Fort Lauderdale after coming into contact with a live wire in May 2026. Whether you are operating a trencher, running a mower, or trimming near a utility easement, it’s important to be aware of the risks that buried or overhead power lines pose.
Electrocutions are among the most common and potentially catastrophic work-related accidents in Florida. Even if the victim survives, the path to recovery is rarely short or simple. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer explains more about the risks and what injured workers may be entitled to under Florida law.
Florida Outdoor and Trades Workers Most at Risk for Electrocution on the Job
Local 10 News reported that a local landscaper was hurt after running into a live power line while cutting trees in Fort Lauderdale. First responders rushed to get him medical treatment, but his injuries proved fatal.
The Electrical Safety Foundation International warns that electrocution is among the leading causes of fatal on-the-job accidents. Work-related electrocutions claim the lives of nearly 150 people each year, 70 percent of whom were in non-electrical occupations. Workers in Fort Lauderdale who are most at risk include:
- Landscapers and lawn care workers can run into power lines while operating mowers, edgers, and trenching equipment.
- Tree trimmers and arborists who work in proximity to power lines.
- Irrigation and sprinkler technicians often excavate near utility corridors.
- Construction workers due to temporary power sources, unfinished wiring, and overhead lines.
- Electricians and electrical contractors who work directly with live wiring, panels, and high-voltage systems.
Under Section 440.09 of the Florida Statutes, workers’ compensation covers any injury arising out of and in the course of employment, including electrocution injuries across every trade and industry.
Long-Term Impacts of Workplace Electrocution Injuries in Fort Lauderdale
Electrical current passing through the body causes damage that extends far beyond the visible entry and exit points, and many of the most serious effects do not become fully apparent until days or weeks after the incident. Long-term conditions caused by electrocutions that may be covered in a Florida workers’ compensation claim include:
- Chronic nerve damage and neuropathy.
- Neurological and cognitive effects.
- Musculoskeletal injuries from the force of the shock.
- Damage to the heart and other body organs.
Unfortunately, insurers are quick to deny or downplay these injuries. To get the benefits you need to recover, contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer.
Consult Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Are you a landscaper, electrician, or trades worker who suffered an electrocution injury on a Fort Lauderdale job site? Get the trusted, local legal representation you need at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A.
Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer acts as a strong ally on your side, pushing back against insurers who try to deny or downplay benefits. To request a consultation at our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office, call or contact us online today.
Sources:
local10.com/news/local/2026/05/14/landscaper-shocked-by-live-wire-in-fort-lauderdale/
esfi.org/workplace-safety/workplace-injury-fatality-statistics/
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.09.html/