Construction sites in Panama City present serious injury risks every single day. Falls from heights, equipment failures, electrocution, and struck-by accidents happen without warning. This can leave workers and their families facing medical bills, lost income, and uncertain futures. If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, you need a construction accident lawyer who understands both the dangers you face and the legal options available to you. The Bruner Law Firm has helped injured construction workers throughout Panama City and the Florida Panhandle recover the compensation they deserve for over 30 years. We work on a no-win-no-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Call (850) 769-9292 today for your free consultation.
Why Choose The Bruner Law Firm for Your Construction Accident Case
The Bruner Law Firm stands apart because we focus on representing injured workers and accident victims. Since 1992, our multi-generational family firm has built a reputation for dedicated representation and genuine client care.
Our team includes five experienced attorneys dedicated to personal injury law. Drew Gordy Bruner carries the distinction of Super Lawyers recognition from Thomson Reuters, an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell (the highest ethical and legal ability rating), and membership in the American Bar Foundation. He’s also named to America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys. Vincent Michael Bruner, our founding partner, brings 40 years of legal experience and served as a Florida State Senator, where he chaired the Senate Committee on Corrections.
Our clients trust us. We offer bilingual services with Spanish-speaking attorneys on staff. We maintain four office locations across the Florida Panhandle, including our Panama City office at 3201 West Highway 98. Most importantly, we charge no upfront costs. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if you recover compensation. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and discuss your case.
Common Construction Accident Causes in Panama City
Construction accidents happen in many ways. Understanding what caused your injury helps us determine who is legally responsible.
Falls from heights remain the leading cause of construction injuries. Workers fall from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and elevated platforms when safety equipment fails, guardrails are missing, or proper fall protection isn’t provided. Scaffolding collapses occur when structures are improperly assembled, maintained, or overloaded. “Struck-by” accidents happen when workers are hit by falling objects, equipment, or vehicles on the job site. Electrocution and electrical hazards injure workers who come into contact with live wires or faulty equipment. Equipment failures and malfunctions cause serious injuries when equipment isn’t properly maintained or inspected. Crane accidents involve massive equipment that can cause catastrophic injuries when operators lack training, or safety protocols aren’t followed. Trench collapses bury workers when proper shoring and protective systems aren’t in place. Nail gun and power tool injuries occur from defective tools or inadequate safety training. Exposure to hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead, and silica dust, causes long-term health problems. Building collapses happen when structures are improperly designed or constructed.
Types of Injuries from Construction Accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries affect cognitive function, memory, and personality.
- Spinal cord injuries cause partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken bones and fractures require surgery and extended recovery.
- Burn injuries from fires or electrical contact leave permanent scarring and disability.
- Amputation of fingers, hands, arms, or legs ends careers and changes lives forever.
- Permanent disability prevents workers from returning to their jobs or performing daily activities.
Construction Accident Compensation You May Recover
Construction accident victims can recover different types of compensation depending on the circumstances of their injury.
Economic damages cover your actual financial losses. Medical bills include emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment. Lost wages compensate you for income you missed while recovering. Future earning capacity addresses the income you’ll lose if your injury prevents you from returning to construction work or forces you into lower-paying employment. Property damage covers tools, equipment, or personal belongings damaged in the accident.
Non-economic damages address your pain and suffering. These include compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life. Disability and disfigurement damages recognize permanent changes to your body and abilities. These damages acknowledge that your life has fundamentally changed.
If a construction accident results in death, wrongful death damages cover funeral and burial expenses, the deceased worker’s lost income, and the loss of domestic contributions. These contributions are the value of household work, childcare, and companionship that the deceased provided.
Third-party liability claims often provide more complete compensation than workers’ compensation alone. While workers’ comp covers medical bills and partial wage replacement, it doesn’t cover pain and suffering or allow you to sue your employer. If another party caused your injury, such as a general contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or equipment rental company, you can pursue a negligence claim against them for full damages.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Construction Accidents
Multiple parties can bear legal responsibility for construction accidents.
General contractors oversee the entire project and must maintain safe working conditions. Subcontractors perform specific work and must follow safety protocols. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises and ensure contractors follow safety standards. Equipment manufacturers can be held liable if they sell defective equipment that causes injury. Site supervisors and foremen direct daily work and must enforce safety rules. Other workers can be held liable if their negligence causes your injury. Equipment rental companies must maintain equipment in a safe condition and provide proper instructions.
Third-party liability means you can pursue compensation from any party whose negligence caused your injury, even if they’re not your direct employer. This is crucial because workers’ compensation doesn’t cover pain and suffering or allow you to recover full damages. A construction accident lawyer in Panama City identifies all liable parties and pursues maximum compensation from each.
What to Do After a Construction Accident
Your actions immediately after a construction accident affect your legal case and your recovery.
Seek immediate medical attention, even if your injury seems minor. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding, brain injuries, and spinal damage, don’t show obvious symptoms immediately. Medical records document your injuries and create a timeline of treatment. Report the accident to your employer or site supervisor as required by law. This creates an official record. Document the scene with photos and videos if you’re able. Make sure to show the hazard that caused your injury, the condition of equipment, and the overall site conditions. Gather witness information from coworkers and others who saw the accident. Preserve evidence by keeping damaged equipment, clothing, and tools. Avoid signing any documents without legal review, as insurance companies may try to get you to sign releases that limit your recovery. Contact The Bruner Law Firm for a free consultation as soon as possible. The sooner we investigate, the better we preserve evidence. Remember Florida’s statute of limitations: you have four years to file a personal injury claim and two years to file a wrongful death claim. Don’t wait.
How The Bruner Law Firm Handles Your Construction Accident Case
When you hire The Bruner Law Firm, we handle every aspect of your case while you focus on recovery.
We’ll conduct a thorough investigation of the accident scene, examining conditions, equipment, and safety protocols. We will collect evidence, including your medical records, witness statements, site photographs and videos, expert analysis of equipment failure, and OSHA reports if applicable. We identify all liable parties, not just your employer, but contractors, equipment manufacturers, property owners, and others who contributed to your injury. Then, we negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, presenting evidence of liability and damages to secure fair settlement offers. We build a strong case for settlement or trial, preparing for litigation if insurance companies refuse fair compensation. We handle all paperwork, communications, and legal filings so you don’t have to navigate the system on your own. Throughout your case, we maintain transparent communication, keeping you informed of progress and explaining your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between workers’ compensation and a third-party liability claim?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that covers medical bills and partial wage replacement (typically 66% of your average weekly wage) regardless of who caused the accident. However, workers’ comp doesn’t cover pain and suffering, doesn’t allow you to sue your employer, and often provides limited compensation. A third-party liability claim is a negligence lawsuit against someone other than your employer, such as a contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or others whose negligence caused your injury. Third-party claims allow you to recover full damages, including pain and suffering, lost wages, and future earning capacity. In many construction accidents, both apply: you receive workers’ comp benefits while pursuing a third-party claim for additional compensation.
How long do I have to file a construction accident claim in Florida?
Florida law provides four years to file a personal injury claim and two years to file a wrongful death claim from the date of injury. However, evidence deteriorates over time, witnesses move away, and memories fade. The sooner you contact a construction accident lawyer, the better we can preserve evidence and build your case. Don’t wait until the deadline approaches.
Do I have to pay upfront costs for legal representation?
No. The Bruner Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. We cover all costs of investigation, expert witnesses, and litigation. This means you can afford quality legal representation regardless of your financial situation.
Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?
Florida follows comparative negligence law, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault you bear. For example, if you recover $100,000 but were 20% at fault, you receive $80,000. This is why it’s important to have an experienced lawyer who can minimize your percentage of fault and maximize your recovery.
What if my employer retaliates against me for filing a claim?
Retaliation is illegal under Florida law. Your employer cannot fire you, demote you, reduce your hours, or otherwise punish you for filing a workers’ compensation claim or pursuing a third-party liability claim. If retaliation occurs, you have legal remedies. Report retaliation to The Bruner Law Firm immediately.
How much is my construction accident case worth?
Your case’s value depends on several factors: the severity of your injury, your medical expenses and ongoing treatment needs, your lost wages and future earning capacity, the strength of liability evidence, and the defendant’s insurance coverage. A minor injury with full recovery might be worth $10,000 to $50,000. A serious injury with permanent disability might be worth hundreds of thousands or millions. The only way to know your case’s value is to discuss your specific situation with an experienced construction accident lawyer. The Bruner Law Firm offers free case evaluations with no obligation.
Contact The Bruner Law Firm for Your Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident in Panama City or anywhere in the Florida Panhandle, contact The Bruner Law Firm today. Call (850) 769-9292 for immediate assistance. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and discuss your case.
Our Panama City office is located at 3201 West Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401. We also maintain offices in Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Santa Rosa Beach for your convenience. We offer free case evaluations with no obligation to hire us. ¡Hablamos Español! We have Spanish-speaking attorneys available to serve our community.
Construction accidents change lives. You deserve compensation that reflects the true cost of your injury. The Bruner Law Firm fights for injured workers. Let us help you recover.
