SCAFFOLDING ACCIDENTS
SCAFFOLDING ACCIDENT Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured in a scaffolding accident, you may be entitled to compensation. The scaffolding accident lawyers at Schwarz & Schwarz can help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us to speak with a scaffolding accident attorney today. Your initial consultation is free of charge.
Since 1967, the attorneys at Schwarz & Schwarz have represented clients injured in scaffolding accidents caused by property owners, unsafe contractors, and unsafe equipment and site conditions. Our team of industry experts that are highly skilled in performing immediate and effective investigations of job site conditions and equipment to determine who was at fault.
From these experiences, our managing partner Daniel A. Schwarz created the Safety System to record and track common workplace accidents, including scaffolding accidents. Due to his expertise, Mr. Schwarz was consulted by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) regarding modernization and digitization of OSHA’s logs. Since the invention of the Safety System, various types of unsafe worksite practices and equipment types have been identified, corrected, and changed in order to create a safer work environment.
Your job is to heal from your injuries. The job of your scaffolding accident lawyer is to investigate and determine fault, calculate your damages, and litigate against the defendants. Our attorneys fiercely pursue each and every scaffolding accident claim. Put our years of proven experience to work for you.
Injuries Caused by Scaffolding Accidents
Workers falling from scaffolding can be seriously injured even if the fall is not from a great height. Pedestrians on the ground struck by falling debris can also be seriously injured. If you were or a loved one has been injured in a scaffolding accident, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Common injuries from a fall from scaffolding, or being struck by falling debris from scaffolding, include:
- Death;
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Spinal cord injuries causing partial or total paralysis;
- Amputation;
- Broken or dislocated bones;
- Damage to internal organs;
- Lacerations or punctures;
- Disfigurement.
These, among others, are the types of scaffolding accidents that Schwarz & Schwarz lawyers handle in order to get victims and their families the justice they deserve.
Scaffolding Dangers You Need to Be Aware Of
High-rise construction and building maintenance are commonplace in urban areas, and scaffolding accidents occur all too often. Construction workers, window washers, and painters frequently work on scaffolding. If they slip, their harness is defective or improperly secured, or the scaffolding fails, they risk a fall and serious injuries. Pedestrians walking near or under scaffolding risk being struck by construction debris, materials, equipment, tools, or the scaffolding itself.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) sets standards for health and safety in the workplace. When scaffolding is in use by construction workers, these standards mandate the use of the following for safety and structural integrity:
- Base plates
- Mud sills
- Scaffold ties
- Side brackets
- Guard railings
- Toeboards
- Work platform decking
- Fastening pins
Unfortunately, even when the highest standards are maintained, accidents happen due to equipment failure, which can cause substantial injuries to workers or pedestrians on the ground.
Many scaffoldings accidents can be averted with adherence to OSHA standards. The most common causes of scaffolding accidents are:
Defective equipment or structure
Improper construction or assembly of the scaffolding
Overloaded scaffolds
Working on scaffolding in the rain, sleet, or snow, causing slipping and falling
Scaffolding collapse can cause very severe injuries, putting everyone on the scaffolding, under the scaffolding, and near the scaffolding at serious risk of injury and death.
Other serious scaffolding accidents occur due to the negligence of workers on the scaffolding, who allow construction materials, debris, or hand tools to fall to the ground.
How Scaffolding Accidents Can Be Prevented
OSHA regulations were enacted for a reason. Workers should know and follow all regulations regarding scaffolding construction.
If an injury or death occurs due to a scaffolding accident, victims or their loved ones may bring civil claims against one or more parties for negligently causing or failing to prevent the injury or death. Consult an experienced lawyer in scaffolding accidents for help with these claims.
What to Do After a
Scaffolding Accident
Trauma to the nervous system may cause RSD. That trauma can be caused by an injury or by medical treatment for that injury.
- Seek medical attention and follow the doctor’s instructions;
- Call an experienced scaffolding accident attorney;
- Keep track of what happens and what anyone says to you about the accident;
- If you’re a construction worker, notify your employer or supervisor.
Why You Should Choose Schwarz & Schwarz to Represent Your Scaffolding Accident Case
If you are a construction worker injured in a scaffolding accident, the legal team at Schwarz & Schwarz can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
If you are a pedestrian or bystander injured by something falling from scaffolding, contact Schwarz & Schwarz today. We can help you get the compensation you deserve, whether through a settlement or by filing a personal injury or premises liability lawsuit.