Ladder and Scaffolding Accidents Cause Thousands of Worksite Injuries

Designed to provide temporary stability, help to ensure tools and equipment are within reach, and provide greater flexibility when working at great heights, ladders and scaffolding are used frequently by approximately 2.3 million American construction workers. But, these devices can also be the very items that cause injury or death when they are not properly used or maintained. Because negligence often plays a big role in ladder and scaffolding injuries, and because the problem amounts to thousands of deaths and injuries each year, it is critical for workers to know what protections they have under the law.

Estimates from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) indicate that ladders and scaffolding cause approximately 4,500 worker injuries and 50 worker deaths each year. The cost to employers for time lost is thought to be around $90 million, but it is the cost to workers that makes the prevalence of ladder and scaffolding injuries so concerning. For them and their families, life may never be the same.

Because scaffolding and ladder injuries often involve either persons or objects falling from heights, they carry a great deal of risk to all involved. Injuries can and often are severe and can include:

• Spinal cord injuries that may result in partial or total paralysis;
• Limb injuries or amputations;
• Traumatic brain injuries; and
• Back injuries that may result in chronic pain.

Safety practices and recommendations are intended to help reduce the risk and prevalence of ladder and scaffolding injuries. Unfortunately, failure to follow through with those regulations are often the subject of OSHA violations. Those that frequently contribute to injuries include:

• Failure to properly train employees on safety protocols;
• Failure to enforce or teach equipment and tool securing techniques;
• Aged, poorly maintained, faulty, or broken equipment;
• Improper assembly that can lead to collapse;
• Overloading; and
• Failure to prevent contact with power lines.

These failures are often on the part of the contractors, foremen, or other supervising staff. In such instances, workers and their families may be due compensation to cover their losses. This area of the law, however, is extremely complex and frequently changes. As such, it is critical that workers obtain skilled and experienced legal counsel to help protect their rights and assist them in their pursuit.

The San Jose workplace injury attorneys at Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. have decades of experience in helping workers and their families pursue the compensation they deserve. Committed and dedicated, we provide the tools and resources needed to fully investigate the nature of construction injuries and fight to ensure negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. Schedule a free initial consultation with our team to find out how we can help with your case. Call (408) 289-1417 today.

• Scaffolding