Ladder falls cause thousands of on-the-job injuries and deaths every year, most commonly in the construction industry. In many cases, these incidents can be avoided with proper training, providing a safe working environment, and providing safety equipment.
Need a Texas Ladder Fall Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured after falling off a ladder, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit in Texas.
UPDATE: $5 Million Awarded in Ladder Fall Lawsuit
July 2017 — A man from Florida was awarded nearly $5 million for injuries he suffered after falling off an allegedly defective ladder that was purchased from Home Depot. According to his lawyers:
“The manufacturing defect in this ladder was ticking time bomb in the form of a misplaced rivet at the top of the ladder that was critical to the ladder’s function. The defect led to the fatigue fracture of a rivet where the hinge exists at the top of the ladder.”
What is the problem?
Federal regulations require employers to do their best to provide a safe working environment and take reasonable precautions to prevent falls. Even so, on-the-job ladder falls remain a persistent occupational safety hazard.
Unsafe practices and low safety culture in many industries contributing to steady fall injury rates every year, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Many fall injuries in the workplace could be prevented:
“Circumstances associated with fall incidents in the work environment frequently involve slippery, cluttered, or unstable walking/working surfaces; unprotected edges; floor holes and wall openings; unsafely positioned ladders; and misused fall protection.”
How Common are On-the-Job Ladder Falls?
In the United States in 2011, work-related ladder falls caused 113 deaths, 15,500 non-fatal injuries that resulted in at least one day off work, and about 34,000 non-fatal injuries that had to be treated in an emergency room. About 43% of deadly falls in the last decade involved ladders, according to a report published by the CDC in April 2014.
Who is Most at Risk?
Ladder falls are most common among men, older employees, Hispanics, and people employed in the construction industry, mining, installation, maintenance, repair, and tree trimming. Non-fatal falls were most common in the retail and wholesale industries. Among construction workers, ladders were involved in 81% of fall injuries that had to be treated in an emergency room. Among all workers, ladders were involved in 20% of fall injuries.
How Can Ladder Falls be Prevented?
- Maintain “three points of contact” on the ladder.
- Do not lean too far away from the ladder.
- Do as much work as possible on the ground to minimize use of a ladder.
- Use alternatives to ladders, such as aerial lifts.
- Before using the ladder, inspect it and check safety features (such as spreaders locked in horizontal position).
- Only use the ladder in a safe location on an even surface.
- Train workers on how to safely use a ladder.
- Wear safety equipment (such as a helmet or harness).
Need a Ladder Fall Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas ladder fall lawyers for a free lawsuit review.
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