Work injuries happen every day across the United States – in the construction industry, especially. One of the most common types of accidents that frequently occur in construction is scaffolding collapses or other equipment malfunctions. Such instances can result in severe injuries, some of which can affect you for the rest of your life. In these cases, it is your right to file a claim for the damages you incurred. The experienced and knowledgeable construction accident lawyers at Friedman Levy will work closely with you to seek compensation that you rightfully deserve after a scaffolding accident.
Potential Scaffolding Accident Injuries
No matter what the project may be, OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) will have laws that preside over the construction site in which you are working. These statutes present standards to which all equipment used in your work, including scaffoldings, will be held. Why do these laws matter? In compliance with OSHA standards, your employer is responsible for supplying a safe work environment, meaning the scaffolding will be assembled and maintained with excellent care and attention to detail.
Despite these laws, OSHA has estimated that approximately 10% of all fatal accidents at construction sites are due to faulty scaffoldings or mishaps related to this equipment. The majority of these incidents are caused primarily by flawed planning support or generally poor structural integrity. From these incidents, most construction workers tend to incur the following injuries:
- Fractures
- TBIs (traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions)
- Spinal cord injury Internal organ damage (i.e., ruptured organs, bleeding, etc.)
These injuries are severe and are likely to keep you out of work for some time, even after being treated by a medical professional. A worker’s compensation should cover your employer, so you are allowed to file through this policy, as well as pursue legal action to recover your financial losses.
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover from Scaffolding Accident Claims?
Physical injuries aren’t the only damages you may endure as a result of scaffolding accidents. These events can lead to devastating impacts on other parts of your life as well. A brief list of the types of damages you can recover as a result of your incident, aside from medical expenses, is outlined below:
- Lost wages (The earnings you lost due to time taken off of work for recovery should be compensated.)
- Reduced earnings (If your accident caused any temporary or permanent disability, you might be unable to fulfill your job requirements in the same capacity as before.)
- Pain and suffering (You may be experiencing severe psychological or emotional distress after the incident. Any psychiatric help must be covered by your claim.)
Speak with a lawyer to determine who should be held accountable for the incident since the case may not be as straightforward as you expect. The following parties should be considered for liability:
- The scaffolding manufacturer
- Your employer
- A colleague that may have acted negligently and caused the events leading to your accident
- The contractor presiding over the job site
- The property owner
To assist you in proving liability for your case, your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the incident. With all necessary documentation in hand, you can rest assured that they will recover all documentation to ensure that not a cent comes out of your pocket to cover your recovery.