What to Do after Falling from an Elevated Height
Ladders, scaffoldings, and other high elevation areas are a common part of most construction sites. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly two in three construction employees work on scaffolding frequently. Unfortunately, this leads to a high rate of accidents in which workers fall from dangerous heights.
Falling from elevated heights such as these can result in serious injuries ranging from spinal cord and traumatic brain injury (TBI) to partial or full paralysis and death. With more than 40 years of litigating construction site injury cases, attorney Michael Shelton at The Shelton Law Firm in Houston, TX, can help you pursue a lawsuit after a fall from a considerable height.
/https://d3b3by4navws1f.cloudfront.net/shutterstock_144052165.jpg)
Common Injuries
Serious injuries can result from a fall at a construction site. Some of the ones most commonly seen include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Abrasions
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Amputation
- Full or partial paralysis
- Burns
- Bruising
- Scraping
If you suffer an injury, you could face hefty expenses and a lengthy rehabilitation process which can involve surgeries, physical therapy, counseling, and long-term medications.
Contributing Factors
Falls from elevated heights is considered one of the greatest dangers in the construction industry. Construction workers can fall from ladders, scaffolds, hoist buckets, or even a hole in an unfinished floor. Factors that can contribute include:
- Inclement weather including snow, rain, and heavy winds
- Lack of fall protection training
- Lack of safety precautions such as guard rails
- Unprotected sides of buildings
- Unrepaired scaffoldings
- Lack of protective gear provided for workers
- Abundant debris and harmful objects at the work site
- Inadequately maintained work areas
- Exposed electricity
While not all of these are avoidable risks, many are. Your employer, the property owner, and a number of other parties have an obligation to minimize these risk as much as possible.
Determining Liability
Because there are so many possible causes, determining who is responsible for a fall at work is not always easy. Depending on the circumstances of the case, responsibility may fall on the employer, property owner, a general contractor, or on-site safety inspectors.
To get to the bottom of who is responsible for your injury, you need the help of a work accident lawyer who knows the process.
A negligent party may have failed to comply with OSHA regulations and failed to train employees or implement safety systems. A third party such as an equipment manufacturer, subcontractor, delivery service, or fellow worker may also be held liable. The location of the site and the type of work performed will also factor into who is responsible for ensuring safe conditions at the construction site. The amount of liability for each party varies based on the specific circumstances of each case.
Holding the Liable Party Accountable
To get to the bottom of who is responsible for your injury, you need the help of a work accident lawyer who knows the process. For more than 35 years, attorney Michael Shelton has represented and pursued justice for cases like yours.
While workers’ compensation will likely pay some of your medical expenses and lost wages, those resources can run dry quickly if you are seriously hurt. By pursuing an additional claim when necessary, Michael Shelton can help you collect the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Regain Financial Stability
Because people often do not want to take accountability for their role in an accident, these cases can become convoluted. You need an experienced, proven attorney who will leave no stone unturned in evaluating your case. If you were injured on the job, schedule your free consultation online or by calling (713) 807-0700 today.
