Scaffolding Injury Lawyer
Scaffolding is often used on construction sites. It provides a safe, stable working space for workers to erect or repair a building. Scaffolding also supports workers who paint the inside or outside of a building. Often, people use scaffolding in theaters or concert halls to help make sets. Regardless of what the scaffolding is used for, it is made out of the same materials. It consists of lightweight metal poles supporting a small plank for walking and storing supplies. If you’ve been hurt falling from scaffolding, don’t hesitate. Contact a scaffolding injury lawyer at The Joel Bieber Firm for a free case review today.
Meanwhile, because scaffolding is designed to be quickly assembled and disassembled, it is unsteady. As a result, workers commonly fall. They can still suffer severe injuries even with the right safety gear.
Common Construction Site Scaffolding Injuries
Working on lightweight, unwieldy scaffolding is risky. Falling from heights is the most common type of scaffolding accident. But there are many other potential dangers. A falling accident usually results in catastrophic injuries. Furthermore, many scaffolding injury victims may suffer multiple injuries.
Recovery from such injuries is long and painful. Sometimes, there is no guarantee that the victim will fully recover.
For example, some of the most common scaffolding accident injuries are:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Damage to the brain tissue can result from blunt trauma or a fall
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Falls often damage the spinal cord or vertebrae surrounding it
- Shock Injuries: If the scaffolding touches a live wire, it could shock someone standing on it
It’s not just people using scaffolding who can potentially get hurt. Falling objects from the scaffolding could injure people. If the scaffolding collapses, the falling pieces could injure the people standing or walking nearby.
A construction site’s workers’ comp policy covers the injuries of employees. Workers’ comp benefits extend only to employees hurt on the job. These benefits do not cover those who were nearby and got hurt.
Sometimes, a third party at the construction site causes the employee’s injury. In these cases, workers’ comp won’t cover medical bills. However, victims can and should file a lawsuit. Ultimately, this may be the only way to get the compensation and damages they are entitled to. Therefore, people injured by a third party should consult with a scaffolding injury lawyer.
Unsafe Working Conditions Lead to Scaffolding Falls and Injuries
Scaffolding is somewhat flimsy and unstable. However, workers can use it without problems if they follow safety rules.
Unfortunately, unsafe working conditions make accidents much more likely. What’s more, construction site owners or foremen often permit unsafe working conditions. In the interest of saving time or money, shortcuts may be taken. Usually, these shortcuts create unnecessary risk. Therefore, negligent foremen should be held liable for any injuries suffered.
Fortunately, it is simple to avoid accidents caused by unsafe working conditions. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires scaffolding to include:
- Scaffold ties
- Side brackets
- Mud sills and baseplates
- Fastening pins
- Toe boards
- Guard rails
- Work platform decking
These features enhance the safety of the scaffolding. In addition, they reduce the chances of accidents and injuries. They also help keep items from falling off the scaffolding and injuring people.
Therefore, if your workplace does not meet these standards, they should be held accountable.
Liability in Scaffolding Accidents
Construction companies are liable if they don’t ensure their scaffolding is safe. For example, by verifying their equipment meets OSHA standards. As such, this is one of the first things your scaffolding injury lawyer investigates.
How a Skilled Scaffolding Injury Lawyer Can Help You
A scaffolding injury lawyer in your area is your legal advocate. Lawyers represent clients (called plaintiffs) in court. They fight to ensure negligent parties pay for the damage they cause.
Additionally, injured workers benefit from their attorney’s insight. To clarify, a lawyer can tell you whether you need to file a suit along with your workers’ comp claim.
Ultimately, victims receive damages if they win their claim. Damages are financial compensation for injuries the scaffolding accident victim suffered.
Common damages you can collect include:
- Medical bills for any surgery or medication required
- Lost wages for the time you missed at work to heal
- Reimbursement for any related property damage
Compensation for non-economic loss may also be available. Non-economic losses are losses you suffered that cannot be valued. This includes pain and suffering from your injuries.
Your attorney seeks other damages for you, like:
- Loss of physical abilities
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
Many scaffolding accident cases result in a settlement. This settlement can include economic and non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
In some situations, you may also receive other damages. Suppose that a judge decides the defendant acted with disregard for the safety of others. To clarify, the defendant is the party or person who caused the accident. In this case, the judge may also award punitive damages to the plaintiff (the victim).
Punitive damages are economic punishment. In other words, fines for negligent parties.
Likewise, they can also apply to negligent property owners. If the scaffolding owner is very careless, they have to pay more money to the victim.
Punitive damages also set an example for other scaffolding owners or construction sites. For example, they show what will happen if companies decide to cut corners on safety.
Contact The Joel Bieber Firm Today for a Free Consultation
Your employer’s workers’ comp benefits may not cover all of your losses. Furthermore, sometimes workers’ comp may not even apply. In conclusion, the best way to get the compensation you need is to work with a reputable attorney.
Our legal team helps you receive the settlement you deserve after a life-changing accident. Therefore, contact us today to talk to a scaffolding injury lawyer in your area.