Falls From Ladders

A ladder accident can happen at anytime, mostly due to the fact that proper support is not supplied or a ladder is defective. No matter what the reason, ladders can cause serious injury when they fail, or even death in certain situations. This is why it is best if ladder falls are prevented. Ladders can fail at anytime on the job, in a construction zone, or on someone else’s property. Find out more about these unfortunate falls, how they can be prevented, and what you should do if you have an injury case.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a study that found that falls remain a leading cause of unintentional injury deaths. Approximately 43% of fatal falls in the last decade involved a ladder of some kind. For construction workers, the risk is especially high. 81% of fall injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involve a ladder when involving construction workers. Ladder-fall injuries (LFIs) carry rates that increase with age, usually have fatality rates that are higher for self-employed workers, and are found majorly in construction areas.

Can You Be Reimbursed For Medical Expenses?

Let’s say that you suffered a fall from a ladder at your uncle’s house when you were working on his roof. Because of the fall, you broke your leg and you have been out of work for months. Instead of talking to your insurance company, you spoke to the homeowner’s insurance company that your uncle has obtained. Homeowner’s insurance covers many accidents that happen on a property; however, it has its limitations as many things do in life.

Your uncle’s homeowner’s insurance should have assumed payment for your medical bills, medications, and all of your lose wages to date. They may even also agree to pay you in pain and suffering costs. No matter what insurance company wants to kick in and pay for the costs, you are entitled to compensation for what you have lost, which is why it is always a good idea to have a personal injury attorney lined up to help you with all of your needs.

Workplace Preventions Regarding Ladder Falls

Since construction is one of the main places where ladder falls occur on-the-job, many safety regulations are being implemented to prevent these falls from happening in the first place. When safety measures are taken, more injuries and death incidents will never happen!

Plan ahead: When you are working on a ladder, you are usually sustaining very tall heights. This means that your employer should be taking all precautions necessary to plan these projects and make sure that they are done as safely as possible. This means that certain aspects should be considered, like how the job will be done, what tasks will be involved, and what safety equipment must be used.

Provide proper equipment: Even if you are working from a ladder, an employer should provide fall protection and safety gear.

Train everyone for safety: If you are provided safety gear, you must make sure that you know how to use it. This means that your employer should also train you in hazard recognition and the safe use of ladders.

If you have sustained an accident on the job or on someone’s property and it was due to a ladder, you may have questions. You may wonder who will be held liable if negligence was at play. Call us today to find out more information on whether or not you have a case. At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, we want to hear from you and your personal injury.