Scaffolding Accidents

Scaffolding Accidents

In spite of requirements by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to follow strict safety protocols on construction sites, construction companies, contractors, subcontractors, and third parties often fall short of those standards.  Hard-working construction professionals and their family members are the ones who bear the brunt of this negligence when a worker falls from unstable or broken scaffolding.

Putting Clients First When Safety Comes Second

For a majority of construction workers, using a scaffold is part of their daily responsibilities.  While inherent risks exist in scaffold work, outside factors can play a role in a dangerous and deadly fall, including:

• Poorly inspected or un-inspected scaffolding

• Overloaded scaffolding

• Scaffolding with manufacturing or design defects

• Failure of specific scaffold parts

• Lack of or defective safety equipment

• Falling debris

Roger Davie is Board Certified in Employment law in Texas and has the expertise in the areas of OSHA, workers’ compensation and third-party liability laws, Roger Davie can take on the most complex of scaffolding accident cases.  Identifying the party responsible is the first step.  From there, he fights to maximize compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Some workers cannot return to work and earn a living.  Many families are left grieving the death of a loved one and facing an uncertain financial future.  Roger Davie understands that these types of injury claims combine legal complexities with emotionally charged issues.  With compassion and dedication, we remain at the side of our clients while pursuing the best outcome.

Contact Our El Paso Scaffolding Attorneys.

If you were injured in a construction accident in El Paso, Texas or Las Cruces, New Mexico or the surrounding area contact Roger Davie at 915-838-1100

Common Injuries in Scaffolding Accidents

Scaffolding is necessary on construction sites to reach high levels of structures that are being built or renovated. However, if proper precautions are not taken, workers can get hurt. Here are some common injuries in scaffolding accidents. 

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most severe injuries workers can suffer during scaffolding accidents. If a worker falls from scaffolding, that worker can hit his or her head on the pavement. Symptoms of brain injuries include headaches, loss of consciousness, nausea, dizziness, fatigue and blurry vision. If the injury is very severe, it can negatively affect a person for a lifetime. The victim may suffer paralysis, problems with talking or swallowing, memory problems and chronic pain.

• Spinal Cord Injuries: Workers can also endure spinal cord injuries during scaffolding accidents. These injuries frequently result in permanent loss of function and sensation below the injury site. Symptoms may include muscle weakness and spasms, loss of bladder control, loss of movement and difficulty breathing. If a spinal cord injury causes permanent paralysis, the victim may no longer be able to work and require assistance for basic tasks.

• Broken Bones: Employees who fall off scaffolding are at risk of breaking bones in their legs, arms, hips and other body parts. Broken bones cause significant pain and can take a long time to recover from. Besides pain, symptoms of a broken bone include bruising, discolored skin, swelling, immobility and dizziness. Treatments for broken bones may include immobilization, physical therapy and surgery.
• Lacerations: Although lacerations may not seem as severe as injuries that result from scaffolding accidents, they are nothing to make life of. Lacerations can be very painful and require stitches. If they do not get treated properly, they can result in infection or permanent scarring. 

Getting Compensation for a Scaffolding Accident

If you suffered a scaffolding accident, you likely have suffered serious injuries that result in high medical bills and time off work. You deserve to be compensated for that. Some damages you may be entitled to include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of earning capacity

An employment lawyer can help you pursue compensation for these injuries and protect your legal rights. A skilled lawyer will know how much your injuries are actually worth and how to effectively negotiate with the insurance company.