Former NFL Star Mike Williams Dies Following Construction Site Accident
Mike Williams, a former star wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tragically lost his life due to an devastating construction site accident in Florida. Williams had been engaged in electrical work at a Tampa-area construction site when a steel beam struck him on the head. He suspected a concussion and promptly sought medical attention. Initially, his injuries didn’t appear severe, leading to his discharge. However, head injuries can often take a turn for the worse, as was the case with Williams. About a week later, he returned to the hospital, this time experiencing a loss of sensation in his legs—a distressing consequence of the construction site accident. He was then placed in a medically induced coma to aid in his recovery. Unfortunately, he developed a severe infection and spent several weeks in the hospital, most of which was spent on life support. Eventually, his family made the agonizing decision to withdraw life support. Mike Williams passed away at the age of 36.
A Star Athlete’s Truncated Journey
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Williams earned a football scholarship to Syracuse University. Despite being selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, he came close to winning Rookie of the Year accolades after an impressive debut season. During his professional football career, Williams shone as a wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three more years before a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills, forced into retirement by injuries. While it may seem that the construction site accident, a consequence of his work, ultimately led to the head injuries that proved fatal, the degree to which parties other than his employer may have contributed to his tragic demise remains uncertain.
The Worker’s Compensation Bar and Personal Injury Lawsuits in Florida
While most are familiar with worker’s compensation insurance, fewer are acquainted with the concept of the “worker’s compensation bar.” Worker’s compensation insurance is designed to cover injuries or fatalities that occur on the job, such as the Mike Williams construction site accident. The worker’s compensation bar, essentially, stipulates that if your employer provides worker’s compensation insurance, filing a claim with them can preclude you from pursuing a negligence lawsuit against your employer in connection with the incident. This is a key aspect of Florida law.
However, it’s essential to note that the worker’s compensation bar doesn’t prevent you from seeking legal recourse against other parties whose negligence may have played a role in your injuries. For instance, in Mike Williams’ tragic scenario, it’s possible that the initial hospital’s actions, when he first sought help after the construction site accident, could have contributed to his unfortunate outcome. Similarly, if you find yourself injured in a slip and fall incident while walking to or from your car in a parking lot that’s owned or managed by a party other than your employer, you can still file a worker’s compensation claim with your employer. This, however, doesn’t limit your ability to pursue legal action against the responsible person or entity managing the parking lot.
Contact the Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers of Schwed, Adams & McGinley
The experienced personal injury attorneys of Schwed, Adams & McGinley have more than 200 years of combined practice representing victims of someone else’s negligence. During that time, we have successfully represented more than 15,000 clients. Even in cases where worker’s compensation covered the incident, we’ve effectively assisted clients in pursuing personal injury claims or lawsuits against other liable parties. Our attorneys are experienced and creative and will not hesitate to seek damages from whomever may be liable for your injuries. If you have been involved in a situation in which someone else’s negligence caused you to suffer injuries, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Schwed, Adams & McGinley, P.A at 877-694-6079 or contact@schwedlawfirm.com for a free consultation today.