Compensation for Injuries Caused by Dangerous Scaffolding
Jobs involving construction and other types of physical labor have some of the highest rates of injury of any job in the United States and many of these incidents include falls which occur on scaffolding equipment. Scaffolds are used as an easy-to-set-up device which allows workers to reach high places and work there for extended periods of time that would not be possible on a simple ladder. While scaffolds are created with a sturdy and steady design in mind‚ they are unfortunately prone to accidents due to their height and other contributing risk factors.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a scaffolding accident while on the job or due to another party’s negligence‚ you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. At the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers‚ our San Diego workplace accident lawyers understand the dangers of scaffolds as well as the need for care after suffering scaffolding accident injuries. We are dedicated to aiding our clients on the road to recovery and winning appropriate compensation is a key step in that process.
Statistics for Scaffolding Accidents
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)‚ approximately 2.3 million construction workers frequently work on scaffolds every year. During the span of a year‚ there are an average of 4‚500 injuries and 50 deaths from scaffold-related accidents. While workers on scaffolds can be injured or killed by a variety of hazards‚ studies by OSHA have found that 72 percent of injuries for scaffold workers are caused by structure collapse‚ slipping‚ or falling objects. Although all of these accidents can be prevented with safety measures‚ they still occur frequently.
Common Types of Scaffolding Accidents
Because of the height of scaffolds and the type of work that is often done on such equipment‚ there are two typical injury accidents that occur during their use:
- The first is a fall incident where a worker on top of a scaffold either loses balance‚ trips‚ or is knocked off the scaffold‚ or the structure either collapses or is moved unexpectedly in some form. Depending on the height and what is below the scaffold‚ fallen workers can suffer minor to fatal injuries.
- Second‚ workers below the scaffold can be injured by falling debris‚ tools‚ or other objects which drop from the platform. Depending on the type of object‚ its weight‚ and the height it falls from‚ workers hit by falling objects can also suffer a wide range of injuries.
Typical Scaffolding Hazards
Because scaffolds are typically used in construction environments‚ there are hazards from both the tall and possibly unstable nature of a scaffold‚ as well as from construction work. Hazards for workers on or near scaffolds include:
- Poorly designed or constructed scaffolds;
- Lack of‚ or poorly made‚ handrails or guardrails;
- Electrocution from wiring and other overhead electrical work;
- Injury and exhaustion from adverse weather conditions;
- Sudden movement of scaffolding;
- Heavy equipment being moved overhead by cranes;
- Equipment failure for ropes and levers on suspended scaffolds; and
- Crashes into scaffolds from vehicles‚ cranes‚ etc.
Contact a San Diego Scaffolding Accident Attorney
The San Diego construction accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers understand the devastating toll that such an accident can have on both injury victims and their families. When such accidents occur‚ it is incredibly important to quickly contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in order to collect witness statements and other forms of evidence. Without such evidence‚ necessary compensation can be very difficult to win‚ whether it is for a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim. Our attorneys have years of experience in a wide range of fields that they can successfully apply to your case or the case of a loved one. For more information on our law firm‚ please browse through our website and contact us for a consultation on your scaffolding accident case at (619) 233-5020 or (888) 233-5020.
