Falling From a Ladder at a Construction Site

Falling from a ladder is one of the most common workplace accidents, especially on a construction site. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 20% of all workplace accidents involve falling from a ladder, and that statistic skyrockets to 81% when looking specifically at construction site injuries. At the Law Offices of Justin D. Brandel, our team of dedicated legal professionals understands the seriousness of falling from a ladder at a construction site and will zealously advocate for the compensation you deserve for your injuries. To learn more about your legal options after a ladder fall accident, call or contact our office today to schedule a case evaluation.

Common Causes of Ladder Falls at Construction Sites

According toOSHA, over 20% of all worker deaths were in the construction industry, and of those the number one cause of fatal accidents involved a fall. One-third of all fatal construction site accidents, a total of 338 fatalities, were caused by falling from a ladder or scaffolding. Thousands more are injured every year from falling off ladders at construction sites, and there are many reasons why ladder falls happen. Some of the most common causes of ladder falls on construction sites include the following:

  • Construction site negligence
  • Greasy ladder steps
  • Reckless behavior
  • Defective ladder or safety equipment
  • Poorly maintained equipment
  • Failure of ladder safety features
  • Improperly installed or missing safety features, such as guard rails, base plates, and side brackets
  • Installation on unstable, slippery, or uneven surfaces
  • Loading a ladder beyond its capacity
  • Placing a ladder in a passageway where it is likely to be moved or shifted by other workers, and more.

Injuries Caused by Ladder Falls

When a worker falls from a ladder at a construction site, the injuries can be severe, and in some cases, permanent. Falling from a height off a ladder results in a powerful and jarring force upon impact on the body that can result in both external and internal injuries. Injuries reported after a ladder fall routinely include the following:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Skull fractures
  • Facial trauma
  • Neck injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Back and spine injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Dislocated joints
  • Nerve damage
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Internal organ damage
  • Paralysis
  • Death

Many injuries caused by a fall from a ladder require substantial medical treatment, including surgeries, scans, medication, and significant rehabilitation. In some cases, the injuries result in permanent disability for a worker so that they can never return to work and may require a lifetime of additional care. Ladder fall injuries cause physical, emotional, and financial harm to workers that deserve to be compensated to the fullest extent under New York law.

Compensation for Falling From a Ladder

Compensation for injuries caused by a ladder fall at a construction site include the full range of workers’ compensation benefits. This includes coverage of all related medical bills, temporary total disability while recovering, temporary partial disability for return to light work, permanent partial disability for lasting injuries, and permanent total disability for the most serious injuries in ladder falls that result in being unable to return to gainful employment. In the worst cases, ladder falls result in the death of the victim. Family members may be eligible to collect workers’ compensation death benefits, which includes payment for dependents as well as coverage of all funeral expenses.

Depending on the specifics of your case, third parties may also be personally liable in accidents involving a ladder fall. This may mean that you are eligible to receive additional compensation along with or instead of workers’ compensation benefits. This could include compensation for the economic and noneconomic harms caused by the fall, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment of life. To learn more about the potential compensation in your case, talk to an experienced construction site accident attorney today.

What Steps to Take After a Ladder Fall

There are important steps that you should take after a fall from a ladder at a construction site in order to preserve your claims. First, you should seek immediate medical treatment for a full diagnosis of your injuries and care from a medical professional. Some injuries like traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding may not present immediately after an accident but do require immediate care. This also creates contemporaneous documentation about the nature and extent of your injuries immediately after the accident, which can serve as powerful evidence when negotiating a settlement with insurers.

If possible, take pictures and video of the scene of the accident. Where was the ladder located, were there any substances on the ladder, and what conditions exist that make the situation dangerous? Save the ladder that the fall took place on if you can. Get the contact information of anyone at the construction site that witnessed the accident, as their testimony may be important for your lawyer.

You should also inform your employer of the accident and your injuries. New York workers’ compensation law requires that notification be made within 30 days of the accident, or else you risk losing your right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Finally, you should seek the services of a knowledgeable and experienced New York personal injury attorney who has successfully represented construction site workers injured on the job. A lawyer can skillfully negotiate the maximum in workers’ compensation benefits for your claim and investigate whether you are entitled to any other damages for your injuries.

Call or Contact Our Office Now

Have you or a loved one suffered a fall from a ladder at a construction site? You may have a claim for substantial compensation for the negligent or reckless conditions that caused the accident. To learn more about your legal options after a ladder fall, call the office or contact us today at the Law Offices of Justin D. Brandel in New York to schedule a consultation of your case. 

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