Injured While Working Outdoors in Fort Lauderdale Weather? Know Your Legal Rights Today

Working outdoors in Fort Lauderdale can mean dealing with blazing sun, sudden thunderstorms, high winds, or even lightning. Whether you're part of a construction crew, landscape team, delivery service, or any other job that takes you into Florida’s unpredictable weather, the risks are real — and so are your legal rights if you’re injured on the job.

If hazardous weather conditions contributed to your injury, you may be entitled to compensation. A Ft Lauderdale accident lawyer or personal injury attorney can help you explore your legal options, including workers' compensation and potential third-party claims.

South Florida’s climate can be as dangerous as it is beautiful. Outdoor workers face a unique combination of weather risks, including:

• Lightning Strikes: Florida leads the nation in lightning strikes. Construction workers using metal scaffolding or equipment are particularly vulnerable.
• Slippery Surfaces: Wet pavement, scaffolding, or ladders can lead to dangerous slip and fall accidents after a storm.
• Wind-Related Incidents: High winds can blow debris, unsecure materials, or even cause scaffolding collapses on job sites.
• Extreme Heat: Long hours under the sun can result in heat exhaustion, dehydration, or even heatstroke, especially when employers fail to provide proper breaks and water.
• Flooding and Electrical Hazards: Rainwater can create puddles that interact with live wires or machinery, resulting in electric shocks or other serious injuries.

Determining liability depends on the circumstances surrounding the injury. Some of the potentially responsible parties include:

• Your Employer: Florida employers are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage. This can help cover medical bills and lost wages, even if the employer was not directly at fault.
• Third-Party Contractors or Vendors: If an outside contractor was responsible for setting up faulty equipment or failing to secure materials before a storm, they may be liable.
• Property Owners: If the injury occurred on a job site with dangerous conditions (such as exposed electrical lines during rain), the property owner may be partly responsible.

A Ft Lauderdale accident lawyer or personal injury attorney can help investigate the details and determine whether multiple parties may be liable for your injuries.

If you were injured while working outdoors in stormy or dangerous weather, acting quickly is key to protecting your claim:

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
   • Even if your injury seems minor, have a medical professional evaluate you. Internal injuries or heat-related conditions can worsen quickly.
2. Report the Injury to Your Employer
   • In Florida, you must notify your employer as soon as possible to begin the workers’ compensation process.
3. Document the Scene
   • Take photos of your injuries, weather conditions, and any equipment involved. These images may be essential evidence.
4. Get Witness Statements
   • Co-workers who saw the incident can help verify what happened, especially if safety rules were ignored.
5. Speak With a Lawyer Before Speaking With Insurers
   • Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. A personal injury attorney can ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.

While most injured workers file a claim through Florida’s workers’ compensation system, you may also have a separate personal injury claim if negligence played a role in your accident. For example:

• If your employer forced you to work during a lightning storm against OSHA guidelines.
• If a contractor’s negligence caused equipment to fail during a storm.
• If defective products (like unstable scaffolding or faulty rain gear) led to your injury.

In these cases, a lawyer can pursue compensation above and beyond what workers’ comp covers, including damages for pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and more.

Depending on the nature of your claim, you may be entitled to:

• Medical expenses (hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation)
• Lost wages during recovery
• Future lost earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Disability benefits
• Death benefits for surviving family members in fatal cases

You don’t need to face the insurance companies or legal system alone. At Wolfson & Leon, our legal team can:

• Investigate your injury and weather conditions at the time of the accident
• Determine if your employer, property owner, or another third party acted negligently
• File and manage your workers’ compensation claim
• Pursue a personal injury lawsuit if applicable
• Negotiate a fair settlement or take your case to court

If you’ve been injured while working outdoors during dangerous weather in Fort Lauderdale, don’t wait to understand your legal options. You may be entitled to more than workers’ compensation. Let our team review your case and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Since 1963, Jerome Wolfson, Esq. and the team at Wolfson & Leon have proudly served accident victims across Florida:

• Miami
• Fort Lauderdale
• Orlando
• Tampa
• Jacksonville
• West Palm Beach
• Fort Myers
• Cape Coral
• Sarasota
• Clearwater
• Tallahassee

Let us help you get back on the road to recovery. Call (305) 285-1115 today, and our team will handle your case with the personal care and attention you deserve.