5 Things to Know & Understand About Scaffolding Injuries

November 6, 2022 | Workers' Compensation,Workplace Safety

 Many construction sites rely on scaffolding to help workers reach high elevations, conduct detail-intensive work on upper levels of a building, and keep supplies easily accessible and safe. However, scaffolding is also a primary cause for many construction accidents and injuries. If you’ve been injured while working on a construction site, you may have legal options when it comes to seeking compensation. Don’t let a workplace injury derail your financial stability and your ability to provide for your family.

It’s time to talk to the team at Pisegna & Zimmerman. Our team is committed to meeting clients in a way that is convenient for them, which is why we’re ready to meet with you via Zoom and sign documents online over DocuSign. The last thing you need when you’re recovering from an injury is another outing. Just call us at 818-888-8888 to set up a consultation.

1. There are several types of scaffolding accidents 

Unfortunately, scaffolding injuries can occur in a variety of ways. The work itself is inherently dangerous, and when you consider the potential for user error and equipment malfunctions, this work becomes even riskier. Workers may suffer injuries when they fall from scaffolding, slip and fall on the scaffolding, are struck by items falling from scaffolding, or are on top of the structure when the scaffolding collapses. Injuries vary widely, from bumps and bruises that heal on their own to catastrophic injuries that result in permanent injury or death.

2. Workers sustain a range of injuries 

Depending on the type of accident you’re involved in and what safety gets you’re using, injuries may vary quite a bit. Some of the injuries reported after scaffolding accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• General injuries to the neck and back
• Cuts and penetrating wounds
• Internal bleeding
• Crush injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Amputation

3. Many different factors contribute to these accidents

 Construction work is affected by weather, worker training and experience, the quality of equipment, safety protocols, and dozens of other factors. Knowing that, it should come as no surprise that scaffolding accidents are also influenced by a range of factors. Weather is always a risk in construction work, and wet scaffolding is a slipping risk. Scaffolding that does not have proper guardrails is another significant risk, and so is working with untrained or inexperienced coworkers. Other hazards to watch out for include:

• Damaged scaffolding
• Scaffolding located close to power lines
• Overloaded scaffolds
• Inadequate safety protocols and training

4. An unsafe work environment may be to blame

 Managers are expected to create and maintain a safe work environment for workers. When they fail to do so, it’s often workers who pay the price. While safety standards for scaffolding work are widely known and fairly easy to implement, a shocking amount of construction managers and foremen still do not utilize them. This is for a number of reasons—experienced workers often think they don’t have to follow the same safety guidelines as newer workers, since they think they are less likely to make mistakes. Some managers rush through safety training to get workers onto project sites more quickly, and others don’t even offer safety equipment because it can slow down a project. On some work sites, equipment is rarely inspected or maintained because managers think that it’s a waste of time. All of these things can significantly increase the likelihood of a scaffolding accident.

5. You are likely entitled to workers’ compensation

 It doesn’t matter if you made an error in judgment and caused your own injury, if someone else was careless and caused the accident, or if malfunctioning equipment is to blame. The workers’ compensation program, overseen by the Division of Workers’ Compensation of the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, provides medical coverage and partial income replacement to injured employees. With workers’ compensation, you do not have to prove that anyone caused your injuries or that someone was negligent. You simply report the injury and your manager should report it so you can receive injured worker payments. While there is an investigation, the entire idea of the program is that it simplifies accident coverage for employees. If your employer denies your claim or tries to keep you from filing one, it’s time to talk to a workers’ compensation attorney.

Reach Out to Pisegna & Zimmerman Now

If your claim has been denied or delayed, don’t wait any longer to talk to a workers’ compensation attorney. With the convenience of Zoom meetings and DocuSign document management, you don’t even have to leave home. To set up a meeting, call us at 818-888-8888 or send us a message online.