Common Injuries from Scaffolding Collapses

Monday, October 18, 2021

Common Injuries from Scaffolding Collapses

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) construction scaffolding requirements and other regulations aim to make scaffolding safer, the very use of scaffolding still creates a risky work environment. Structure instability falls and falling objects are ever-present and pose a threat to safety in building construction workplaces.

Despite OSHA’s efforts to more tightly regulate the use of scaffolding in construction to make them safer, scaffolding accidents account for roughly 60 deaths and about 4,500 injuries every year. This is according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which also notes that falls from scaffolds alone account for about 25% of fatal falls from all construction working surfaces.

If you suffered injuries in a scaffolding accident, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney right away. We handle complex construction accident claims.

Scaffolding Use in Construction Projects

The use of scaffolding is popular in building construction because when erected, used, and taken apart properly, the scaffolding platform and versatility allow the scaffolding to be used in place of ladders. Scaffolding gives workers greater balance and stability than ladders, which makes the overall work easier and more effective.

Unfortunately, however, with its increased use and popularity, there is a correlated high number of accidents that result in fatalities and serious injuries. Common types of scaffolding accidents include:

1.  Scaffold collapse
2.  Falls from heights
3.  Objects falling from above and striking workers below

Common Injuries from Scaffolding Accidents

Fatalities aside, numerous and serious personal injuries are sustained in many of these accidents, which include the following:

1. Traumatic brain injury could be immediate or delayed
2. Internal organ injuries which could also be immediate or delayed
3. Spinal cord injuries that may lead to paralysis
4. Neck injuries that may or may not be part of the spinal cord injury
5. Severe lacerations and broken bones
6. Death in some of the severest scaffolding collapses

What a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Attorney Can Do for You

If you have been injured in a scaffolding accident, a lawyer who handles construction accident claims is on hand to help guide you in obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries.

One of the common mistakes many construction workers make is believing or assuming that they cannot hold a negligent party responsible for their injuries because they have already filed a worker’s compensation claim.

This is not always true because workers’ compensation only prevents you from filing a claim against your employer. If your scaffolding injury was caused by someone other than your employers, such as a general contractor, subcontractor, owner of the property where the accident occurred, manufacturer, or others, you can file a claim against any one or more of these negligent third parties.

Call a Chicago Personal Injury Attorney at Malman Law

Our experienced legal team at Malman Law is here to help you obtain the maximum compensation that you deserve for all of your accident-related injuries. For a free legal consultation and case evaluation, please call us today at (312) 629-0099 or contact us online for more information about how we can help.