People use ladders every day. Most households keep one or two in the garage or basement for work around the house. Maintenance crews keep them on hand, and construction workers use them for countless tasks on job sites. These incredibly helpful tools can also cause some serious injuries when not used appropriately.
If you’re using a ladder in a safe and secure manner, the likelihood of falling is small. When individuals carelessly place or use ladders, however, serious injuries can occur. After a ladder fall, you need an attorney who understands the underlying causes of such accidents and who can help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries. The team at Douglas, Haun & Heidemann, PC, represents injured workers in all types of ladder accidents.
Causes of On-the-Job Ladder Falls
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, almost half of all fatal falls that occurred in the last decade involved ladders. Falls off ladders account for 20% of injuries among workers, and 81% of fall injuries in construction workers.
Why? Causes of ladder accidents include:
- Failure to place the ladder securely before climbing – When workers fail to use ladders according to guidelines, instability may cause or contribute to a fall.
- Failure to replace old or damaged ladders – Owners need to replace ladders after a few years of use or if they damage one during use.
- Failure to choose the right ladder for the job – Ladders must match worker weight requirements, height requirements, and job needs.
- Failure to follow safety standards while on the ladder – Individuals should always maintain three contact points with a ladder to improve stability.
- Defective ladders – Manufacturers may bear responsibility for injuries sustained in defective ladder accidents.
Falls off ladders can cause numerous serious injuries including broken bones, traumatic brain and spinal injuries, lacerations, and internal bleeding. In many cases, employers are responsible for reducing the risk of such accidents. They must train employees on proper ladder safety and provide them with the ladders needed to complete a task. When employers fail to follow OSHA guidelines, they may face regulatory fines and lawsuits. Some may even lose their businesses.
Workers’ Compensation, Liability, and Ladder Falls
Construction employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Other employers who have more than five employees must also provide insurance benefits for on-the-job accidents. Our firm specializes in helping clients obtain fair compensation for medical expenses, disability, and rehabilitation under workers’ compensation programs.
We also look at the details of every case to determine if another liability issue factors into it. Employer, property owner, and manufacturer negligence may all serve as grounds for a personal injury ladder fall lawsuit. Sometimes, workers’ compensation benefits will not cover the total costs associated with an injury. Damages awarded in a lawsuit go above and beyond insurance benefits to cover the cost of medical expenses, lost wages and future income, and pain and suffering.
Finding a Ladder Fall Accident Attorney in Bolivar, Mo.
If you are hurt in a ladder accident in or around Springfield, we encourage you to give us a call. Many cases appear straightforward to begin with, but further inspection reveals additional acts of negligence or unfairness. Our team can help you appeal workers’ compensation denials, expedite the claims process, and pursue legal action against anyone responsible for your injuries.
Arming yourself with legal representation offers a way for you to gain justice and closure after an accident and provides you with the compensation you need to move past a devastating injury. A lawsuit may also prevent an employer, manufacturer, or other third party from contributing to someone else’s ladder fall accident.
Don’t wait to reach out for legal support. Contact our office in Springfield today for a case evaluation.