Scaffolding & Ladder Accidents
Work Injury Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale
Federal OSHA statistics show that falls and falling objects are among the leading causes of injuries and death in the workplace. Such incidents often occur among workers who perform duties from heights using scaffolding and ladders, especially on construction sites. Given the increased potential for serious injuries resulting from these accidents, injured workers and their families depend on securing full benefits in timely manner.
At Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A., our award-winning attorneys leverage more than 240 years of combined experience in workers’ compensation and personal injury law to help injured workers and families explore their rights and options following all types of workplace accidents. If you or a loved one have been harmed in an incident involving a ladder or any scaffolding system, you can feel confidence when placing your trust in the hands of our proven team.
Learn more about your rights after a workplace accident and how Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A. can fight for you. Call (888) 499-6206 or contact us online to request a FREE consultation.
Common Ladder / Scaffolding Accidents
By their very nature, ladders and scaffolding pose risks to those who perform work from heights, as well as to others who may be nearby or under these pieces of equipment. Scaffolding and ladder accidents may involve various factors, including:
- Falls from heights
- Falling objects, including falling tools and debris
- Equipment collapse
- Vehicle accidents with or near equipment
- Equipment failure, including design and manufacturing defects
- Unsafe working conditions or negligence
- Lack of or inadequate safety gear, including PPE and fall arrest systems
Seeking Compensation: Your Rights
Your right to compensation, and how you navigate toward recovering financially, depends largely on the circumstances surrounding your case. As a team that focuses on both workers’ compensation and personal injury, we can help you evaluate the merits of your potential claim, and choose the most appropriate path toward the benefits and compensation you need. This might include:
- Workers’ Compensation – Most employers are required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance, a no-fault form of insurance that allows employees injured on the job to obtain medical, wage replacement, and reemployment benefits regardless of who caused the accident. Death benefits are also available through workers’ comp for families whose loved ones pass as a result of fatal workplace accidents. While workers’ compensation is a vital resource for injured workers who need treatment and income to make ends meet, the process can be complex, confusing, and stringent. Ensuring you take the right steps to file a full and complete claim can help avoid potential denials, and help you pursue benefits as soon as possible.
- Third Party Personal Injury Claim – While most workplace accidents result in workers’ comp claims, there are some situations where seeking compensation through the civil justice system (i.e. a personal injury lawsuit), may be the most appropriate option. This is typically the case when accidents and injuries are caused by the negligence of a third party, meaning someone or some entity who is not your employer. Examples may include a negligent contractor on the worksite who caused a scaffolding or ladder accident. Personal injury claims require victims to prove how another’s failure to meet their legal duty more likely than not caused them harm. Though there is a burden of proof, it can be meet with the help of attorneys who diligently investigate accidents, preserve evidence, and structure sound arguments. Personal injury lawsuits, unlike workers’ comp, can also provide compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Product Liability – Scaffolds and ladders are critical pieces of equipment for many workers, but they pose significant safety risks. This is why it is so important that they function as intended. In cases where scaffolding and ladder accidents result from equipment failures, such as a design or manufacturing defect which made them prone to collapse, injured workers may have the potential option to pursue a civil personal injury claim under product liability laws. Our firm can help you evaluate whether your incident involved a defective product, and how to seek a financial recovery from the manufacturer.
Personalized Service, Proven Results
Over the years our firm has been fighting for victims and families across Fort Lauderdale and the state of Florida, we have demonstrated a passion for personalized service and step-by-step legal guidance. Our depth of experience in both workers’ comp and personal injury matters enables us to help clients pursue the maximum compensation possible for their injuries, even in the most challenging and complex cases.
If you would like more information about your rights and how Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A. can help you, contact us today to speak with a member of our team. Consultations are free and confidential.