For a number of laborers and workers in the construction industry, using a ladder
is very much a part of the job. Ladders are an integral tool for any building or construction project — whether it’s residential roofing, a large commercial building or a solar panel installation project. While ladders are essential for laborers to perform a number of jobs ranging from painting to electrical work, they can also be dangerous and are among the most common reasons for serious construction accident injuries.
If you have been injured in a ladder accident on the job, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. It is important to understand how and why these accidents occur in order to better evaluate what your injury claim may be worth. An experienced New York City construction accident lawyer will also be able to better evaluate your case and help you secure maximum compensation for your losses.
Here are the top three reasons why ladder accidents occur at construction sites:
1. The ladder was not on level and/or firm ground.
For a ladder to be stable enough to climb, they must be on ground that is firm and level. When a ladder is incorrectly placed on unstable or uneven ground, it can make it unsafe for the worker to stay balanced on the ladder. Uneven ground can also cause the ladder to shift. When construction work occurs in hilly or areas that are not level, or when there is an incline at the worksite, it may be difficult to stabilize the ladder.
However, in such situations when the conditions are not ideal, it is the responsibility of building owners and managers, construction companies and contractors to ensure that the ladder is safe and stable enough for the job.
2. The wrong type of ladder was being used.
When the wrong type of ladder is used for a job, it may also result in a major injury accident. For example, when a ladder is too short for the task at hand, the worker may attempt to reach, which can result in him or her taking a fall. Also, most ladders have a limitation when it comes to weight.
When the ladder exceeds its weight capacity, it may collapse or the ladder’s rungs may break. In some cases, the incorrect type of ladder for the job may result in injuries. For example, when a worker uses a stepladder when the job actually calls for an extension ladder. Standing on the top-most rung of the stepladder can cause the worker to lose his or her balance, fall and get severely injured.
3. The ladder was old, damaged or broken.
Ladders may wear out with repeated use. When ladders are overused, damaged or broken, they may give way under the weight of a worker and cause serious injuries. This often happens in construction sites when companies fail to conduct required inspections before the ladder is used. This may also occur when a ladder is faulty. These accidents often result in severe injuries because victims often have no way of anticipating or preventing them.
Compensation for Injured Workers
Workers who have been injured in fall-related accidents may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits, which covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. 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.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident involving a ladder or a scaffold, 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. For over 51 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.
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