Did you or a loved one suffer injuries in a construction accident in Fort Walton Beach, Florida? Learn about your legal rights and options by calling Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers at (850) 434-3333 today. An experienced Fort Walton Beach construction accident lawyer can explain your right to compensation during a free consultation.
Our top-rated attorneys have over 75 years of experience helping injury victims and their families. Over the years, we’ve forced corporations, employers, and their insurance companies to pay victims over $200 million. You don’t have to settle for less than you deserve. Call our law offices for a free consultation today.
Why Should I Trust Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers To Handle My Construction Accident Case in Fort Walton Beach?
If you want to get full compensation after a construction accident in Fort Walton Beach, FL, you’ll have to work for it. Your employer’s insurance company won’t make it easy. When you’re up against powerful corporations with endless resources, it’s important to level the playing field. That’s why injury victims turn to Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers.
Our top-rated Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyers have been widely recognized for our success. Our trusted attorneys are:
- Board-certified by the Florida State Bar
- Members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum
- Recipients of Martindale-Hubbell’s AV-Preeminent lawyer rating
- Winners of the Avvo Client’s Choice Award
We’ve earned over 600 five-star Google reviews from clients whom we’ve represented after injuries. We have the tools to help you get the money you need to cover costs and get back on your feet.
You can learn what it’s like to work with our trusted legal team by calling for a free consultation today. Our Fort Walton Beach personal injury attorneys are always here to discuss your case.
Statistics on Construction Accidents in Florida
In the state of Florida, 5,436 construction injuries were reported to workers’ compensation in 2025. In 4,287 of those cases, disability benefits were awarded because the worker’s injuries impaired their earnings.
In total, Florida workers’ compensation insurance companies paid over $250 million to injured construction workers in 2025.
Our Attorneys in Fort Walton Beach Handle All Types of Construction Accident Cases
It’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side if you were injured in a construction accident.
Our attorneys have expertise in handling all types of construction accident cases, including:
- Scaffolding accidents and falls
- Ladder and roofing accidents
- Drilling accidents
- Demolition accidents
- Trenching accidents
- Excavation accidents
- Crane and hoist accidents
- Building and structural collapses
- Transportation and truck accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Explosions
- Fires
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falling object accidents
- Caught-in-between accidents
- Struck-by accidents
Our attorneys know the complex laws and regulations that will impact your case inside and out. You can benefit from our experience and knowledge. After a construction accident, call our team to discuss your legal options right away.
How Do I Recover Compensation After a Construction Accident in Fort Walton Beach?
Construction employers in Florida must carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that offers economic assistance to injured employees.
You qualify for benefits if:
- You’re an employee
- You suffered injuries while performing job-related activities
At the same time, workers’ compensation protects employers against lawsuits. Filing a lawsuit against a negligent employer may not be an option if you were hurt on the job.
However, you may have the right to file a civil personal injury lawsuit if:
- You’re an independent contractor who isn’t classified as an employee under Florida’s construction workers’ compensation laws
- You’re an employee, but a third party caused or contributed to your injuries
Construction sites are complex places. Third-party claims aren’t uncommon. Potentially responsible parties could include a property owner, general contractor, outside supplier, or even a negligent driver.
What Types of Compensation Are Available to Construction Accident Victims in Fort Walton Beach?
Injured construction workers who qualify for workers’ compensation benefits can receive:
- Medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgeries, doctor’s visits, medications, rehabilitation, and more
- Disability benefits for lost wages during recovery, including temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, income impairment benefits, or permanent disability benefits
- Death benefits in fatal injury cases
If you’re able to file a lawsuit, you can pursue compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
It’s important to explore all of your options after a construction injury. Workers’ compensation doesn’t cover everything. Our Fort Walton Beach construction accident lawyers will evaluate the facts and fight for every dollar.
How Much Money Is My Fort Walton Beach Construction Accident Case Worth?
There’s no standard value for construction accident cases. Workers’ compensation benefits are calculated based on state law.
The value of your workers’ compensation benefits depends on:
- The extent of your injuries
- Whether your injuries are temporary or permanent
- The amount of time you miss at work
- The amount of income you can earn during recovery
- Your average wages prior to the accident
- The difference in your earnings pre-disability and post-disability
Workers’ compensation covers roughly ⅔ of your lost wages. They’re also capped by state law. The maximum weekly benefit changes each year ($1,358 in 2026).
Damages in personal injury aren’t subject to these limitations. Further, all of your losses are considered. That includes personal, intangible losses like pain and suffering.
What Happens to My Compensation Award if I Was Partly Responsible for a Construction Accident in Florida?
Your workers’ compensation benefits aren’t impacted by shared fault. Damages in personal injury cases tend to be more extensive. However, Florida’s modified comparative negligence law applies. You’ll lose your right to damages if you were more than 50% responsible.
Your damages will be reduced even if you share a smaller percentage of fault.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer for a Construction Accident Case in Fort Walton Beach?
It doesn’t cost anything out-of-pocket. Our law firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis. We cover all of the costs. When we win compensation, we take a percentage of your settlement or verdict. You’ll agree on that percentage when you hire us.
Common Construction Accident Injuries in Florida
Construction workers are susceptible to a range of serious injuries when accidents happen. Some common construction injuries include:
- Broken bones and crushing injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Eye injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Chest injuries
- Hearing loss
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Knee and leg injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death in the most tragic fatal accident cases
Recovery should be your main focus. Unfortunately, employers and their insurance companies don’t always make that easy. Our attorneys can handle the outside issues while you focus on your physical health.
What Causes Most Construction Accidents in Fort Walton Beach?
Construction operations are governed by strict regulations. State and national regulations apply. Unfortunately, safety regulations can’t make a difference when they’re ignored.
Some common causes of construction site accidents include:
- Missing or damaged safety equipment
- Lack of training
- Inadequate supervision of inexperienced workers
- Failure to adequately maintain work equipment and tools
- Failure to provide proper fall protection equipment and training for workers on elevated structures
- Improperly installed scaffolding or cranes
- Missing machine guards
- Dangerous property conditions, such as slick surfaces
- Failure to secure objects properly
- Communication failures among workers and contractors
- Negligent hiring practices
- Ignoring Florida state or federal OSHA safety regulations
It’s important to understand why your accident occurred. Multiple companies may have been working simultaneously on the same worksite. If someone other than your direct employer was responsible, you may have options outside of the workers’ compensation system.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit To Seek Compensation After a Construction Accident in Florida?
Deadlines vary based on the type of claim you file. Workers’ compensation has two deadlines: one for providing notice and one for filing a formal claim, as follows:
- You have 30 days to notify your employer. You could lose your right to benefits if you don’t provide timely notice
- When disputes arise, or benefits are denied, you have two years to file a petition with the workers’ compensation board. However, different deadlines might apply depending on the nature of the dispute
For personal injury claims, you have two years to file a lawsuit in Florida. Regardless of the deadline, it’s important to consult an attorney early. You could lose your right to benefits or damages if you miss a deadline.
Contact a Fort Walton Beach Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Construction work is hard and dangerous. When you’re injured on the job in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, there are protections designed to help you get back on your feet. They don’t always help much if you don’t understand the rules–and you’re likely to face challenges along the way.
After a construction accident, call our team at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. An experienced Fort Walton Beach construction accident attorney can fight for the money you deserve.