An electrician suffered serious injuries after a ladder accident in Bohemia, Suffolk police said. According to a report on Patch.com, emergency personnel used a tourniquet before the man, who fell off the ladder while on the job, was transported to an area hospital where he was said to have undergone surgery. Police said his injury was non-life-threatening. The ladder accident occurred at an industrial building on Carlough Road, officials said. The nature and extent of the worker’s injuries is not known. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured worker and we wish him the very best for a quick and full recovery.
What Causes Falls from Ladders?
Ladder accidents can occur due to a variety of reasons, often from a combination of human error, environmental factors, and equipment malfunctions. Here are some common causes of ladder accidents:
- Incorrect placement: Placing the ladder on uneven or unstable surfaces can cause it to wobble or tip over, leading to falls.
- Wrong type of ladder: Using a ladder that is too short for the task or not designed for the specific job can increase the risk of accidents.
- Poor maintenance: Ladders that are damaged, rusty, or have missing parts can be unsafe to use and may lead to accidents.
- Lack of proper training: Inadequate training on ladder safety and its proper use can lead to unsafe practices and accidents.
- Excessive loads: Exceeding the weight capacity of the ladder can cause it to collapse, resulting in injuries.
To prevent ladder accidents, it is essential to follow safety guidelines, inspect ladders before use, use the correct type and size of ladder for the job, and ensure proper training and supervision for all individuals using ladders. Safety precautions such as maintaining three points of contact at all times and making sure workers have personal protective equipment can also help reduce the risk of ladder accidents.
How Workers in New York City Are Protected
Many construction workers including roofers, ironworkers, steelworkers, laborers, carpenters, masons, bricklayers, painters, window washers, and electricians etc. carry out their tasks at elevations while on ladders, scaffolds, platforms, etc.
In New York City, workers who fall off ladders are protected under various laws and regulations that are designed to ensure workplace safety and prevent accidents. The New York State Labor Law, particularly Sections 200, 240, and 241, commonly known as the “Scaffold Law,” imposes a responsibility on employers and property owners/managers to provide safe working conditions and adequate safety equipment for workers, including those using ladders.
Section 240, often referred to as the “Scaffold Law,” specifically addresses falls from heights, including falls from ladders. It holds employers and property owners/managers strictly liable for injuries sustained by workers due to inadequate safety measures, such as the lack of proper scaffolding, ladders, or safety harnesses.
Under these laws, injured workers have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from ladder-related accidents. Employers and property owners/managers are required to comply with safety standards, conduct regular inspections, and provide proper training to workers to prevent ladder accidents and ensure a safe working environment.
Compensation for Injured Workers
Injured workers in New York City may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the ladder accident. Workers’ compensation provides medical treatment, some wage replacement, and other benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
If a worker is injured in a ladder accident, they can file a workers’ compensation claim with their employer’s insurance carrier. In addition, workers may also be able to file a third-party claim against a negligent (careless) party other than the employer or co-employees for significant monetary damages and have two sources of compensation available for their losses. Examples of third parties include, but are not limited to, general contractors, construction companies, sub-contractors, building owners, managing agents etc. In cases where a worker dies from injuries suffered on the job, surviving family members may seek death benefits through workers’ compensation and/or file a wrongful death claim against a third party who may be held liable for the fatal incident.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. For over 52 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses.
Our law firm recovered $3,375,576 for a construction worker (an undocumented immigrant) who was injured on the job — one of the highest construction case settlements in New York that year. Our law firm also recovered $3,000,000 for a man who fell and suffered two broken legs when he walked into an open elevator shaft. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://patch.com/new-york/sayville/electrician-seriously-hurt-fall-bohemia-report