Ladder Accidents
Many jobs in Atlanta, Georgia, require workers to use ladders or scaffolding, including construction, electrical, and painting. However, working on a ladder can be extremely dangerous. Ladder accidents can result in numerous injuries, including life-threatening conditions and permanent impairments.
The Atlanta ladder accident lawyers of Hasner Law PC have over 80 years of combined experience handling claims involving construction accidents or falls from a ladder.
Contact our Atlanta law firm by calling us at (678) 888-4878 to request a free consultation with experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyers if you were injured because of a ladder accident.
How Our Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Ladder Accident
Medical treatment is the first thing you need after a workplace injury. However, you also need sound legal advice from someone who understands the laws that apply to ladder-related injury claims. At Hasner Law PC, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys will give you the guidance and support you need as you heal and consider your legal options.
When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:
- Investigate your accident to determine what caused the accident and your injury
- Discuss your case with you and keep you informed of its progress
- File claims with all responsible parties and insurance companies
- Negotiate aggressively for a settlement to cover all your damages
- Engage in an effective attorney-client relationship
We are not afraid of going to court when it is in our client’s best interest. We are experienced and skilled trial lawyers who are ready to fight for you.
Contact us today to schedule a time for your free case review. Our personal injury attorneys in Atlanta, GA, are ready to fight to get you the money you deserve.
Are Ladder Accidents Common in the United States?
Falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional death in the United States. Additionally, falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry.
About 65 percent of construction workers use ladders or scaffolds to perform their jobs. According to the Center for Disease Control, 43 percent of the fatal falls over a single decade involved a ladder. The CDC also reported that roughly one-fifth of worker-related falls involved a ladder. For construction workers treated in emergency rooms for falls, about 81 percent of the accidents involve ladders.
What Causes Ladder Accidents on Construction Sites?
Many different types of ladders are used on construction sites, including extension ladders, single-pole ladders, platform ladders, step ladders, and dual-purpose ladders. Unfortunately, many ladder accidents are the result of mistakes and negligence.
Common causes of ladder accidents include:
- Failing to follow safety guidelines (human error)
- Inadequate training in how to set up and use the ladder
- Using the incorrect ladder for the job
- Defectively designed ladders or defects in the ladder
- Failing to use the correct size ladder for the job (or extend its reach)
- Exceeding the maximum weight load for the ladder
- Not using a personal fall arrest system (PFAS)
- Lack of qualified supervision
- Failing to tie off or anchor the ladder
- Placing the ladder on a surface that is not level or firm
- Failing to examine a ladder for damage each time before use
- Using ladders for unintended purposes
- Exceeding a ladder’s weight capacity
- Standing on the top rung
- Using broken ladders
- Failing to support the base of the ladder
If employers and workers fail to abide by safety guidelines, they put themselves and others in danger of injury or death.
What Types of Injuries Do Workers Sustain in Ladder Accidents?
Falling from a ladder can cause severe injuries. Injuries that are common in ladder falls include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Strains, springs, and soft tissue injuries
- Brain injuries
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Ladder accidents can also result in severe electrical burns and electrocutions if the ladder comes into contact with a live wire.
It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention after a ladder accident. Even a fall from a short distance could result in serious injuries.
Who is Liable for Damage Caused by Ladder Accidents in Georgia?
Accident victims injured on the job may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ comp generally covers workplace accidents that occur in the ordinary course of the person’s job — no matter who is at fault for the accident.
In most cases, workers are not able to sue their employers for on-the-job accidents. However, if your employer failed to provide safety equipment, required you to use the incorrect ladder, provided worn or damaged ladders, or was otherwise negligent, you could have a claim against the employer under select circumstances.
If a defective ladder caused your injury, you might have a claim against the ladder manufacturer. A product liability claim could result in additional damages for pain and suffering, future loss of income, and permanent impairments.
If a third party was responsible for the cause of the fall, that party could be liable for damages. For example, if a driver negligently backed into a ladder causing it to fall, the driver could be liable for damages.
Keep in mind that you could also be liable for your damages in a ladder accident under Georgia’s comparative fault rules. If you contributed to your accident, your damages could be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Atlanta Construction Accident Attorneys
We are ready to be your advocates after your fall. Contact our office to schedule a free case review with an experienced Atlanta ladder accident lawyer.
Don’t wait too long, you only have two years from the date of your accident to file most personal injury claims in Georgia. If you are pursuing workers’ compensation, you have 30 days to report your injury and then one year to file a claim. So, contact us today for help.
