Texas Ladder Fall Accident Attorney
Construction and maintenance are parts of the economy; however, providing a safe place to employees who work in those trades is even more important. Falls from a ladder occur for a variety of reasons, but any fall from a significant height and carries the potential for severe injury or death. While ladder falls can happen anywhere, the majority of falls occur while on the job or at home. Thousands of workers are seriously injured or killed every year as a result of falling from ladders while on the job. The prevalence of ladder falls can be reduced by using ladders that are in a safe condition and by using safety equipment, adequate training and management’s requirement of a safe working environment. If your fall occurs on the job, your legal options for recovery may depend on the circumstances of the fall. A knowledgeable ladder fall injury lawyer can help you understand your options and work to ensure that you get the compensation you are owed, either from workers’ compensation insurance and/or some other responsible party.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), falls account for more than a third of construction fatalities each year and cause more than 20,000 nonfatal workplace injuries across all industries each year. These accidents are preventable: Ladder-related safety citations are consistently on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) “Top 10” list of most-cited violations every year. If you’ve been hurt in a Texas ladder fall accident, or if your loved one has been killed in a ladder incident on the job, get the compensation you deserve by contacting the knowledgeable and dedicated workplace accident lawyers at the Gilbert Adams Law Offices for a free consultation.
Tips for Avoiding Ladder Injury
Ladder accidents are quite common on construction sites and at home. If you are using a ladder at work or while doing maintenance in your home, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the chances of a fall and mitigate the possibility of serious injury.
First, make sure any ladder you are using is in safe working condition before every use. Just because it was safe last week does not mean that it will always be in a safe working condition. Check for rust, loose screws, weakened rungs, or any other damage that may have occurred since your last usage. At a construction worksite, any number of things could have damaged the ladder, or the ladder may have been switched out with a dangerous ladder. Carry your ladder parallel to the floor when it is not in use, and make sure that it is kept free of slippery oils. When you are using the ladder, make sure it is secure on the ground, and that the surface on which it stands is not wet or otherwise unstable.
It is also essential to know the maximum capacity for the ladder you are using. If you must carry materials up the ladder, you do not want to suddenly discover the ladder is overloaded. Do not load multiple people on the ladder at the same time, no matter the hurry. Additionally, barricade the area surrounding the ladder so that you do not injure those below you, or they bump the ladder causing it to slide or become suddenly unbalanced. Consider whether the use of fall protection is required or would assist in preventing injury in the event of a fall.
Keep in mind that different ladders have different uses. If you are doing heavy-duty work, you need a heavy-duty ladder. If your job involves electricity, do not use a metal ladder that lacks rubber protection or another mechanism for preventing the conduction of electricity or electrical injury. If appropriate, have someone hold the base of the ladder to keep it steady. Safety is paramount, as ladder falls can easily lead to severe injuries, disability, or fatality.
Defective Ladders
A ladder fall can happen because of a lack of safety precautions, lack of maintenance, or a defect with the ladder itself. The ladder may have a defective design that increases the chances for an accident, even when foreseeably used or as intended, or the specific ladder may have been manufactured improperly. If a ladder was defectively designed or manufactured or there were not adequate warnings or instructions provided, the injured victim may have a product liability claim against the ladder manufacturer and/or distributor. A qualified Texas products liability attorney can help investigate the parties who may be potentially liable.
Call Beaumont Injury Attorney Gilbert Adams After a Ladder Fall Injury in Texas
If you’ve been hurt in a ladder accident, contact the dedicated and trial-ready Beaumont ladder fall injury lawyers at the Gilbert Adams Law Offices for a free consultation at 409-835-3000.
