Scaffolding Accident Attorneys

Scaffolding Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured in a scaffolding accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries. Your injuries could include past lost wages, future lost wages, earning capacity, medical expenses, hospital stays, etc. Scaffolding accidents could result in very severe injuries and need immediate medical attention. Scaffolding accidents are very common within the construction industry, especially in California and Nevada, which house the busiest and most populated cities in the United States. Los Angeles and Las Vegas have seen an increase in residents, and with that comes extensive construction that is necessary to have adequate housing and businesses around.

How Common Are Scaffolding Accidents?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, scaffolding accidents are very common within the construction industry. There are around 4,500 scaffolding accident injuries every year, and there are around 60 fatalities every year in the United States. The majority of scaffolding injuries are caused from falls from high surfaces. This is a very serious issue that should not be taken for granted, and employees should be able to assert their rights in court if they are injured in a scaffolding accident.

 What Compensation Could I Receive For My Scaffolding Accident Lawsuit?

There are a variety of different types of compensation you could receive for your scaffolding accident, including:

• Past lost wages
• Future lost wages
• Medical bills
• Hospitalization bills
• Emergency room bills
• Physical therapy

1. Medication
2. Emotional distress
3. Pain and suffering

What Are Common Injuries from Scaffolding Accident Cases?

• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injury
• Internal bleeding
• Back injuries
• Head injuries
• Paralysis
• Cuts
• Death

What Causes the Most Scaffolding Accidents?

There are a variety of different factors that may cause a scaffolding accident. These different causes could include:

• Scaffolding equipment defect: when a scaffolding accident results from a defect in the equipment itself, the injured victim, also known as the plaintiff, could seek compensation from the product manufacturer, along with the product retailer. This is filed under a product liability legal claim. There is no need for the plaintiff to show negligence on behalf of any party, instead, the plaintiff needs to show that the equipment itself was defective. There are several different ways you could prove a defect, such as the way the equipment was designed, manufactured, or was sold with warranty to the public.
• Scaffolding construction: if the scaffolding was negligently placed in an unsafe manner, and that caused the employee to sustain injuries, the employee may have a claim against the scaffolding construction company. Usually, scaffolding requires the construction employees to firmly affix the scaffolding to strong safety points. Guardrails must also be installed to prevent any accidents. Scaffoldings must always be installed by experienced employees.
• Scaffolding maintenance: if the scaffolding is improperly maintained, and you experience injuries from a scaffolding accident, you may have a claim against the construction company, along with any inexperienced employees that failed to maintain the scaffolding. The scaffolding needs to constantly be monitored to prevent any slippery surfaces.
• Inexperienced employees: construction accidents are very common, especially in California. One of the main causes for this is because employees are needed urgently, and construction companies do not spend enough time training their employees. Construction workers, especially those that erect scaffolding, must be trained and have years of experience in order to ensure proper safety standards and to prevent any safety violations.
• Lack of safety equipment: even if a scaffolding accident does occur, workers must be provided adequate safety equipment to prevent any serious injuries. This includes hard hats, and fixed vests to prevent any catastrophic injuries that could potentially result.
• Negligent co-workers: construction site accidents are often also caused by other untrained co-workers who may not take the job seriously, and may engage in negligent behavior. If you were injured by a coworker, you still may be able to hold your employer liable for the employee’s negligence. Other than filing a claim against the employee, you may also still be able to file a claim with the employer.
• Lack of protection from falling objects: the main causes of scaffolding accidents is when employees have objects dropped on them from the scaffolding. There needs to be adequate construction materials to prevent any objects from falling down from the scaffolding.
• Hazardous conditions: Construction sites must be constantly monitored for any severe weather conditions. Extreme weather conditions, such as wind advisories, may cause objects to fall down from high ceilings.

Which Party Could Be Liable for My Scaffolding Injury Lawsuit?

There are a variety of different parties that could potentially be liable in your scaffolding lawsuit in California or Nevada. The potential liable party, also known as the defendant, depends on the circumstances of your accident. Examples of potential defendants include:

• Construction company
• Construction engineer
• Construction architect
• Construction workers
• General contractors
• Subcontractors
• Scaffolding manufacturers
• Property owners
• Land owners

Wrongful Death Scaffolding Injury Lawsuits

If your loved one has passed away due to a scaffolding injury, you may be able to seek compensation on their behalf through a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims allow family members to seek compensation on behalf of construction workers who passed away due to scaffolding injuries. The compensation differs depending on how much medical care the employee needed, along with any funeral or burial expenses.

Worker’s Compensation Scaffolding Accidents

If an employer was injured while on the job due to a scaffolding incident, they may be able to seek compensation for their injuries through a worker’s compensation claim. A worker’s compensation claim is filed with the employer to seek compensation while the employee takes time off work to heal from their injuries caused during work. Examples of workers compensation benefits include:

• Payment for medical care and treatment
• Payment for temporary disability
• Payment for permanent disability
• Job benefits such as retraining and insurance costs