Common Ladder and Scaffolding Accidents on Construction Sites

Common Ladder and Scaffolding Accidents on Construction Sites
Calendar icon diciembre 27, 2023

Summary:

  • Nueva York construction workers face elevated risks of severe injuries that result in permanent impairment due to ladder and scaffolding accidents.
  • More construction workers die from falling than any other kind of worksite accident. 
  • Non-union job sites show higher rates of fatalities, possibly due to less frequent inspections and limited training.
  • Ladder and scaffolding issues rank among the top OSHA violations, often resulting from reckless use of equipment or malfunctions of faulty equipment.
  • Construction workers are at risk of life-threatening injuries like spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and organ damage in ladder and scaffolding accidents.

Nueva York construction workers regularly climb ladders or use scaffolding platforms to complete projects. Working from a greater height puts construction industry employees at an increased risk of severe injuries like compound fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. 

Nueva Yorkers typically use the workers’ compensation process to address the financial costs of on-the-job construction injuries. At Cellino Legal, our personal injury attorneys will take a results-driven approach to maximizing your compensation for your Nueva York construction accident claim. Schedule a CONSULTA GRATUITA with us by calling (888) 888-8888 or filling out our online contact form.

The Dangers of Ladder and Scaffolding Accidents on Construction Sites 

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of fatal Accidentes de Construcción. Over a third of fatal fall accidents on construction sites were falls from an elevated surface to a lower level. In addition to roof-related falls, construction workers commonly injure themselves by falling off ladders and scaffolding.

For example, ladder and scaffolding accidents can happen when a Nueva York construction worker slips on a slick ladder rung or platform, gets struck by falling material and loses their balance, or reaches too far to one side of the ladder or scaffolding and tips over the edge. In 2022, Nueva York State reported 16 fatal Accidentes de Construcción involving falls

Of those incidents, 81% occurred on non-union job sites. Industry experts believe the higher rate of fatalities on non-union construction sites reflects less frequent inspections and limited training on fall prevention techniques. It may also be a symptom of non-union construction workers’ reticence to report safety issues.

Ladder and Scaffolding Accidents Are Often Related to OSHA Violations

Ladders and scaffolding issues were the third and fifth most commonly cited OSHA violations in fiscal year 2022, respectively. OSHA sets strict standards that dictate everything from the distance between ladder rungs to the amount of guardrail required on scaffolding platforms. 

When construction companies or employees fail to follow these guidelines and other safety practices, it can result in severe injuries. Common causes of ladder and scaffolding accidents on construction site accidents include:

  • Improper mounting or dismounting from a ladder or scaffold
  • Exceeding the weight limit of the ladder or scaffolding
  • Failure to use a personal fall arrest system
  • Damaged or defective equipment
  • Inadequate training or supervision
  • Joining two ladders together that are not designed to be connected
  • Failing to secure the ladder or scaffolding or positioning it on an uneven surface

Construction Workers Are at Risk of Sustaining Severe Injuries in Ladder and Scaffolding Accidents

Construction workers have less control over their landing when they fall from a higher level, such as off a ladder or scaffolding platform. As a result, they may be unable to avoid landing on a pile of sharp debris or material in the path of a vehicle or in a way that results in a catastrophic injury. Construction workers are also vulnerable to further injury if they strike another surface on their way down.

Examples of ladder and scaffolding accident injuries on construction sites include:

Your construction accident injuries may require you to take time away from work to recover and receive medical treatment. Workers’ compensation claims can help offset the financial costs of construction accident Injuries by covering a portion of your lost wages and medical bills. A construction accident attorney can offer valuable insight into navigating this process.

Choose the Seasoned Construction Site Attorneys of Cellino Legal to Represent You

Injured workers have relied on the Cellino family to represent them for over 65 years because we are thorough investigators, straightforward communicators, and persistent negotiators. If you want a first-hand account of the level of service you can expect, we encourage you to check out our client testimonials. Our personal injury attorneys believe in going above and beyond.

Clients trust our construction accident lawyers to secure the results they need to rebuild their lives. As your representatives, we will take the time to answer your questions about the steps of the workers’ compensation process, what benefits you can claim, and what services we offer.

Contact Cellino Legal About Your Nueva York Construction Site Accident Lawsuit Today

Too often, a preventable ladder or scaffolding accident leaves a worker severely injured, preventing them from working just as their medical bills are piling up. Our expert team at Cellino Legal has helped countless clients navigate this dilemma to recover the compensation they are entitled to receive. We will work relentlessly to secure the workers’ comp benefits you deserve.

Take advantage of a CONSULTA GRATUITA with one of our accomplished construction accident attorneys to learn more about your rights in the workers’ compensation claims process and the types of compensation available to you. You can schedule a free case evaluation with our team by giving us a call at (888) 888-8888 or completing our online contact form today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a personal injury claim against my employer after being injured in a ladder or scaffolding accident on a Nueva York construction site?

Unless you have evidence that your employer was grossly negligent or committed an intentional tort, you are likely limited to filing a claim against their workers’ compensation policy to cover your losses. While this does bar you from recovering compensation for damages like pain and suffering, you are not required to prove they were at fault for your ladder and scaffolding accident.

How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim in Nueva York?

Before you can become eligible to recover compensation, you need to report your construction accident injury to your employer. You have 30 days after your ladder and scaffolding accident to notify them that you were injured. Nueva York requires employees to file workers’ compensation claims within two years of sustaining their on-the-job injury to recover compensation.

If my construction site accident was the result of a defective piece of equipment, can I file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer?

If a third party’s negligence caused your ladder or scaffolding accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages in a product liability claim against them. This could include the company that manufactured a defective ladder, harness, scaffolding platform, or guardrail.

To prove that the manufacturer is liable, you would need to show they breached their duty of care to you and that the malfunctioning of their faulty product caused your injuries. If you are considering pursuing this route to compensation, remember that the Nueva York statute of limitations for personal injury claims requires you to take action within three years.

Zoom Screenshot_16.png

Contenido revisado por el abogado de lesiones personales Ross Cellino. AComo hombre de familia y abogado litigante, me enorgullezco de ganar casos y servir a la comunidad. Con más de 35 años de experiencia, entiendo el funcionamiento de un jurado, cómo los jurados llegan a sus conclusiones y el papel que desempeña el jurado en la administración de justicia. Sé cómo ganar casos. Nos puedes encontrar en Manhattan, Buffalo, Melville, Rochester, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens y otras ubicaciones en todo Nueva York.

Siguiente »
What do I do if My Teen Driver Gets Into a Car Accident?  »

¿LESIONADO?
PODEMOS AYUDARTE

LLÁMANOS AHORA

Evaluación Gratuita del Caso

ARCHIVO DE BLOGS

REVISIÓN DE CASO GRATUITA

Testimonios

  • Gracias por tu ayuda para resolver el caso del accidente de mi padre. Siempre podía contar contigo para responder mis preguntas de manera honesta y en términos que pudiera entender. Si todos los abogados de Cellino Legal son como tú, entiendo por qué son un bufete de primera categoría.

    Bedner

  • Queremos agradecerles por toda la asistencia y el tiempo que dedicaron a nuestro caso. Su profesionalismo y honestidad siempre serán apreciados. El personal siempre fue cortés y siempre nos impresionó su responsabilidad. Su pasión y dedicación nunca serán olvidadas, ni ustedes.

    Sarah

  • Elegir al abogado adecuado para que te represente después de un accidente puede marcar la diferencia. Esto no es un cliché. Recientemente experimenté estas palabras en carne propia. Después de que un camión me chocara por detrás a alta velocidad en 2017, contraté a Allan Silverstein para que manejara mi caso. Pronto me di cuenta de que presentar una demanda rápidamente se convierte en una montaña de detalles que pueden hacer o deshacer tus resultados. Documentos, historiales de casos, visitas al médico, facturas y muchas llamadas telefónicas, todo debe ser rastreado con precisión para lograr un resultado exitoso. Allan nunca dejó de devolver mis llamadas, ¡generalmente el mismo día! Luchó hábil y respetuosamente para conseguirme el mejor acuerdo posible. Fue una experiencia excelente tener a Allan como mi representante. La calidad en cualquier aspecto de la vida es difícil de encontrar, y con Allan Silverstein obtuve calidad. Lo recomiendo encarecidamente si necesitas un abogado de lesiones personales.

    Theodore

  • Les escribo para hacerle saber el excelente trabajo que George Gridelli hizo por mí en mi demanda por lesiones personales. Su profesionalismo y experiencia fueron evidentes en nuestra primera reunión y él y su asistente legal Diane D'Andrea me cuidaron como si yo fuera un amigo y no sólo un cliente. Ambos fueron más allá por mí de tantas maneras que sería demasiado grande para enumerar y estoy agradecida de haber tenido un equipo tan ejemplar que me represente. Al trabajar con George y verlo en la corte que personifica para mí lo que un abogado se supone que es - un hombre honesto y muy competente que me guió a través del sistema legal. Yo no podría haber obtenido una mejor representación en cualquier otro lugar a cualquier precio. Para mi eso dice mucho de ustedes y de la integridad de su firma. Gracias de nuevo por representarme y por tener individuos tan estelares trabajando para ustedes. Seguiré recomendando su bufete.

    Carol

  • Estoy escribiendo esta carta para expresar cuánto aprecio sus servicios relacionados con mi caso. Su abogado de lesiones adoptó un enfoque práctico y me mantuvo completamente informada en todo momento sobre el progreso de mi caso y los pasos que debíamos seguir, dejando las decisiones finales en mis manos pero asegurándose de que conociera todos los riesgos involucrados en las opciones. He tratado con varios bufetes de abogados en mi vida en diferentes casos y esta es la primera vez que no tuve que llamar o buscar a mi abogado. Por esto, he recomendado y seguiré recomendando a Cellino Legal a mis amigos y asociados.

    Denise

  • Estoy muy agradecida por su experiencia, paciencia y perseverancia, que resultaron en un acuerdo exitoso respecto a mi accidente automovilístico. También quiero que sepan lo impresionada que estoy con ustedes y su bufete, y no dudaré en recomendarlos a cualquiera que necesite asistencia tras un accidente. Realmente aprecié su cuidado y profesionalismo. Gracias nuevamente por su amabilidad y apoyo.

    Lisa