Busy scaffolding in NYC

What You Should Know About Scaffold Accidents, Injuries, and Death

Scaffolding is necessary at many construction sites to enable workers to reach high locations, provide a working platform, and offer a place to store materials. However, scaffolding is also a major source of accidents at construction sites and often results in devastating injuries to workers who were just trying to do their jobs.

Here is some information about scaffolding accidents and how to know if you should pursue a wrongful death case on behalf of a loved one who was involved in this type of tragedy.

Causes of Scaffolding Accidents

Scaffold accidents, injuries, and deaths are often caused when the scaffolding supports break because they are defective or assembled improperly. Construction workers and even other people just walking by can trip over scaffolding. Ordinary citizens may have an accident claim due to scaffolding due to a landlord’s negligence, for example.

Slips and trips often occur when the scaffolding is slippery due to weather, where it lacks guardrails, or when workers have not properly been trained for the job they are doing. Winter weather makes scaffolding even more dangerous than it usually is for workers and pedestrians. If a person or company places scaffolding too close to a power line, electrocution can occur. Workers who are careless, overloaded scaffolds, falling objects, and using damaged scaffolding for a project can all lead to serious injuries and even death.

Common Injuries and Scaffolding Accidents

Because scaffolding is placed at high levels and often around dangerous materials and wiring, very serious injuries can occur. Unfortunately, death scaffold cases are far too common here in New York. Some of the most common injuries due to scaffolding accidents include spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Many people break bones due to scaffolding accidents, suffer from severe cuts and scrapes, and paralysis is possible in severe situations.

Many of these injuries can be prevented with the proper training of construction workers and ensuring that workers have the appropriate safety gear. Businesses that use scaffolding must inspect it regularly for defects, replace worn-out materials, and take the time to construct it properly according to OSHA standards.

Wrongful Death Cases for Scaffolding Accidents

Dozens of people die each year because of scaffolding-related accidents, which prompts the question of whether a wrongful death case can and should be pursued. A wrongful death case may be appropriate if a person dies in a scaffolding accident due to the fault of another person. If you believe that someone’s negligence was to blame for such a death, it is important to speak to a knowledgeable wrongful death attorney right away.

Various parties may be entitled to make a wrongful death claim, such as a surviving spouse, children, separated spouse in some situations, life partners, financial dependents, putative spouses and even distant family members. Compensation from a wrongful death case can help with the many expenses associated with the passing of a loved one, including lost wages and benefits, medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and household services.

Get Help with Your Injury or Death Scaffold Case

In addition to pursuing a wrongful death case because of a scaffolding incident, you may also be able to pursue a personal injury claim and a workers’ compensation claim. The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum can help you with your scaffolding-related case, regardless of whether you were the victim, a loved one was the victim, or if the accident resulted in injuries or death. Based on the circumstances of your case, it may be possible to bring a civil claim against one or more parties for failing to prevent a scaffolding injury or causing it through negligent actions.

Call us anytime 24/7 at 718-237-5586 to speak with an attorney about your scaffolding matter. You can also contact us online to learn more about how we can help you be successful in recovering the maximum monetary award and settlement for an injured person.