The Dangers of Scaffold Accidents in New York
Scaffolds can be one of the most important pieces of equipment on a job site. They can keep people where they need to be, prevent dangerous falls, and give workers a stable platform to work on. But when those in charge don’t construct or maintain scaffolds properly, they can be a life-threatening danger to those on-site.
That’s why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and New York state have strict rules about scaffolds. They cover everything from how companies should design scaffolds to how those on-site should install them. These rules help keep workers safe, but when operators fail to follow them, you could be the one who ends up hurt.
If you’ve been severely injured in a scaffolding accident, you have rights under New York law, and you could pursue compensation for the accident. Contact a New York construction accident attorney to understand your options and how an attorney could help.
What Causes Scaffold Accidents?
Scaffolds are essential pieces of equipment on many job sites across New York, but they could also be sources of danger. OSHA estimates that scaffold accidents cause thousands of injuries and dozens of deaths every year. Given modern scaffolding designs and training requirements, these tragic accidents should never happen.
Site managers and operators need to put scaffolds in place correctly, maintain them, and train all workers on the site how to work safely around them. Unfortunately, leaders often don’t do what they should. Site owners and operators could cause scaffold accidents by:
- Setting up scaffolds on unstable ground
- Letting unqualified people setup scaffolds
- Failing to provide worker scaffolding training
- Failing to inspect scaffolds and perform maintenance on them
- Failing to keep scaffolds away from power lines
- Not giving workers the equipment they need to work on a scaffold
- Installing defective scaffolding
- Constructing scaffolds that can’t hold enough weight for the job
- Using incorrect materials for the scaffolds or planking
- Allowing items to fall from scaffolds
The only way to protect workers on a job site is to follow adequate safety protocols. This means ensuring that proper safety training, equipment, and supervision are all in place. Even then, all it takes is a little bit of carelessness or poor judgment to cause a severe or potentially fatal injury accident.
Common Injuries in Scaffold Accidents
Scaffold accidents can devastate lives. Even a small accident can cause serious injuries and even death for workers who were doing their jobs. Following a scaffolding accident, workers could be facing:
- Head injuries from falls
- Skull fractures after being struck by falling objects
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Electrocution when power lines or cords touch scaffolds
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruising
- Wrongful death
If you were injured in a scaffolding accident, remember that time is limited to take action. Be sure to report the accident to your supervisor, seek immediate medical attention, and contact an experienced workplace accident lawyer to protect your rights and legal options.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a workplace accident, know that you’re not alone. A construction accident attorney like those at The Mandel Law Firm could help you get answers and fair compensation. You could be entitled to compensation for funeral and burial expenses and other losses.
Contact a New York Construction Accident Attorney Today
Scaffold accidents can be devastating and, when you’re trying to heal, navigating a complex scaffolding injury claim or lawsuit may feel overwhelming. But The Mandel Law Firm could help. Our experienced attorneys are focused on winning the compensation you deserve. We are committed to your recovery every step of the way. For a free case evaluation, call (646) 779-1441 or contact us online now.