The construction industry has a higher ladder fall injury rate than any other industry in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 80 percent of construction worker falls that result in emergency room visits involve falls from ladders.
While a ladder fall injury is common in the construction industry, it is not common for you. You are facing a new situation that is impacting your health and your ability to earn an income. As an injured construction worker, you deserve compensation for the injury that you suffered at work.
Why Falls From Ladders Happen
Many fall injuries can be prevented with proper equipment, training, and safety checks. However, these things do not always happen, and a ladder fall injury may occur because of:
- Loads that are too heavy for the ladder.
- Ladders that are placed at unsafe angles.
- Ladders that are placed in unsafe locations.
- Problems with the ladder steps or rungs.
- Slippery surfaces that cause slip and falls.
- Clutter on the ladder rungs that cause trip and falls.
- Broken locking devices.
- Excessive reaching from ladders.
If you have fallen off a ladder for any of these reasons—or for any other reason—then it is important to be aware of the injuries that you could suffer so that you can get the medical attention that you need.
Injuries That Can Result From a Ladder Fall
Your specific injury will depend on how high you were when you fell, how you landed, and your overall health. Some common injuries that occur as a result of ladder falls include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Sprains
- Contusions
- Lacerations
Multiple injuries are commonly suffered in ladder fall accidents, and all symptoms should be discussed with your doctor so that you can receive a proper diagnosis and get the treatment that you need to make as full of a recovery as possible.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
After any ladder accident injury, it is important to talk to an experienced construction accident lawyer as soon as possible. Failure to get your claim started right away could result in you losing your chance to bring a claim. Additionally, evidence could be compromised and witnesses can become unreliable.
With more than 35 years of experience handling construction accident claims, we can protect your rights through every step of the legal process. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, and we have recovered millions of dollars for clients hurt in ladder falls and other construction site falls.
Our legal team will research every possible cause of your accident to determine liability. We will help you through the workers' compensation process, bring a third-party liability claim under New York Labor Law 240, or find any other means available to maximize your compensation. Please contact us today via this website or by phone for additional information.
