Many construction workers work on scaffolding day in and day out. When assembled and used properly, scaffolding does not present a significant hazard. Unfortunately, scaffolding collapses commonly occur on construction sites and may cause devastating injuries to several workers. The vast majority of scaffolding accidents occur because of someone’s negligence.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a scaffolding accident, you may wonder about the next steps, and how you’ll pay for medical care and bills that pile up. A scaffolding accident attorney at Douglas, Haun & Heidemann, PC, can help you answer those questions and obtain the compensation you deserve to heal. Our firm handles serious injury and fatal scaffolding accidents.
Why is Scaffolding so Dangerous?
Scaffolding is a temporary structure designed to hold construction workers as they work in and around buildings. They include supports that workers assemble from the ground up, as well as platforms that suspend down from the top of a building.
Because scaffolding is erected and disassembled as needed on a construction site, it does not always provide the most secure support. One mistake during installation can result in devastating injuries for one or more workers. Some construction companies require workers to wear harnesses while on scaffolding, but others do not.
In addition, scaffolding accidents may occur if an unharnessed worker falls from a height. Adequate safety training and protocols can greatly reduce the risk of accidents, which is why we first look at safety standards when we accept a scaffold-related injury case.
Safety on Scaffolding
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations dictate several safety standards that construction companies should maintain when scaffolds are used. Employees should receive comprehensive training and accident prevention information. According to OSHA, 2.3 million workers across the United States work on scaffolds on a regular basis. Every year, the agency records roughly 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths.
Safety regulations mandate safety requirements for load-bearing components, safety equipment that workers should wear while on scaffolding, and certain accident prevention protocols. Employers who violate regulatory standards may face additional state and federal scrutiny in the aftermath of an accident.
Workers’ Compensation and Scaffolding Accidents
Construction workers injured on scaffolding are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in Missouri. Your employer should provide you with the necessary paperwork to apply for benefits within 24 hours of learning about your accident. Workers’ compensation benefits may cover all medical costs associated with your injury, disability pay to cover the time you spend away from work, and the cost of rehabilitation.
Determining Liability in Scaffolding Accident Cases
At Douglas, Haun & Heidemann, PC, we look at every fact in a case so we can pursue those who share fault in the accident. In many cases, employers share a portion of the blame. In some cases, however, we may file claims against third parties, including equipment manufacturers and property owners. Every case is different, and we can only proceed with a claim when we understand how and why an accident occurred.
How Your Bolivar Scaffolding Accident Attorney Can Help
Our firm does not practice because we want to see how much money we can make. We practice because we want to help people who work hard every day and suffer senseless injuries at the hands of a negligent person or company. When we accept construction accident cases, we help our clients at every step. We can help you file workers’ compensation paperwork, obtain fair benefits and medical treatment, and file lawsuits against the parties responsible for causing your injury. We won’t rest until we know we’ve obtained the best possible outcome on your behalf.
For more information about how we can help you after an injurious scaffolding accident, contact our office in Springfield today.