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Falls from scaffolds and falls from ladders are two of the most common types of accidents on construction sites or work sites in the U.S. Serious injuries often occur, such as: head injuries, broken bones, spinal injuries, etc.
There are many types of scaffolds used in construction:
- roof bracket scaffolds,
- top plate scaffolds,
- aerial lifts,
- work platforms,
- pump jack scaffolds,
- ladder jack scaffolds,
- trestle & horse scaffolds, and
- mobile scaffolds.
Many workers do not know that workers’ compensation is not the only claim that can be made. Scaffold accident lawsuits can be brought against many different parties, including contractors, subcontractors, scaffold manufacturers, etc.
The five most common claims made in scaffold accident lawsuits include:
1. failure to provide or use fall protection such as guardrails or a personal fall arrest system (PFAS),
2. negligence in providing access to scaffolds,
3. negligence in scaffold platform construction,
4. inadequate training on scaffold use, erection and dismantling, and
5. failure to designate a competent person.
In the vast majority of scaffold accidents, workers are injured due to someone’s failure to provide or require fall protection. In some instances, a contractor will discourage or even forbid such use.
OSHA requires that every worker on a scaffold of more than 10 feet above a lower level be protected from falling to a lower level (Subpart L 1926.451(g)). This can be done by use of guardrails or a PFAS. OSHA has very specific requirements for fall protection. For example, toprails and midrails must be installed properly and able to withstand the correct maximum pounds of force: 150 lbs for midrails and 200 lbs for toprails.
In addition to falls from scaffolds, workers below often suffer injuries in scaffold accidents. OSHA also requires that workers below be protected from falling objects, and many injuries occur because of the failure to use toe boards, mesh or screens.
For more information, access our free legal articles: Defective Ladders in the Workplace – What is the Law in Pennsylvania? and Damages Available in a Workplace Fall Accident Case in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.
To submit your case for review by our Pennsylvania and New Jersey scaffold accident lawyers, call Click To Call. Our lawyers are available for a free, no obligation legal consultation, and can obtain special admission in other states, such as New York or Delaware, on a case by case basis.
Our scaffold accident attorneys serve injured workers in the following areas: Allegheny County, PA; Berks County, PA; Bucks County, PA; Chester County, PA; Delaware County, PA; Lehigh County, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Northampton County, PA: Philadelphia County, PA; Atlantic County, NJ; Burlington County, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Cumberland County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Salem County, NJ; New Castle County, DE; Kent County, DE; Atlantic City, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Newark, NJ; Doylestown, PA; Media, PA; West Chester, PA; Norristown, PA; Camden, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Newark, DE; Georgetown, DE; and New Castle, DE. Our lawyers can obtain special admission in other states on a case by case basis.
**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
