Fayetteville, AR Scaffolding Work Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one have suffered severe, life-threatening injuries as a result of a scaffolding accident, we may be able to help. Turn to The Law Offices of Ken Kieklak for aggressive yet compassionate legal representation.
To learn more about your case, schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our skilled Fayetteville, Arkansas, Workers’ Compensation attorneys. Our contact number is (479) 2251-7767.
Common Causes of Scaffolding Accidents in Arkansas
Scaffolding accidents are responsible for thousands of injuries among construction workers every year in the U.S. According to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), 65% of the construction workforce works on scaffolds. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), adequate protection of construction workers performing their duties on scaffolds can prevent thousands of lives and injuries every year in the U.S.
Most scaffolding accidents happen due to things such as falls, being struck by falling objects, scaffold defects, and other disasters such as electrocutions.
Falls
Most of the time, scaffolds are used at construction sites to work high up the face of a building. The higher the scaffold is set up, the higher the risk of suffering from a devastating injury or death. When working on a scaffold, workers must use the appropriate protective gear to prevent an accident. Unfortunately, employers fail to provide protective equipment to their employees, or they use defective equipment. If you are injured at work, you may obtain compensation to help you recover from your injuries. Our skilled construction accident lawyers can help you file your claim to get the compensation you deserve.
Falling Objects
When working on scaffolds in a construction site, there is a risk of an object falling from a significant height. Things like tools, debris, cables, cinder blocks, and other construction materials may fall, creating the chance for a devastating injury. Depending on the falling object, a worker may suffer from injuries to the head, shoulder, arm, or hand, or to any other body parts in the way of the falling object.
Scaffold Defects
Scaffolds must be erected while taking into account many variables such as weight load, height, and sturdiness. If the scaffold is poorly constructed, the scaffold may collapse which can result in injury and death, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. If you suffered an accident on a defective scaffold, you may be entitled to obtain compensation for your losses.
Common Scaffolding Accident Injuries
Construction workers who have been exposed to scaffolding accidents often suffer from severe, life-changing injuries. Some of the most common injuries a construction worker can suffer from during a scaffolding accident include:
Head Injuries
Construction workers can experience head injuries caused by falling objects or by hitting their heads against the ground when they fall. A head injury can lead to a severe injury such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs are among the most dangerous, life-threatening injuries a person can sustain. These types of injuries are mostly associated with other kinds of accidents such as car, truck, or motorcycle accidents. However, TBI can also happen in a construction site, especially to workers working at heights on a scaffold.
Back Injuries
Back injuries can be severe and life-threatening depending on the extent of the damage. For instance, if a worker lands on their back, they can suffer from spinal cord injuries. If severe enough, a spinal cord injury can leave a person paralyzed or lead to death. Severe back injury cases may require continuing medical care and costly surgeries. You may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries.
Broken Bone Injuries
Broken bone injuries are some of the most painful and difficult to live with. Scaffolding accidents can lead to different broken bone injuries that can prevent a worker from returning to their work for an extended period. Broken bone injury victims may need to go through surgeries and a vocational rehab for weeks, months, or sometimes even longer.
Wrongful Death
Unfortunately, scaffolding accidents may lead to a construction worker’s death. Falling from a dangerous height or being struck while on a scaffold may inflict deadly wounds. You may be able to obtain compensation for the death of a loved one.
What Compensation Can I Obtain from a Scaffolding Accident?
People who are injured while performing their job can have access to monetary benefits provided by the Workers’ Compensation system. The law requires all employers to provide this type of coverage to all their employees. Under the workman’s comp system, you relinquish your right to sue your employer in the event of an accident. This means you cannot recover damages for things such as pain and suffering. Instead, the Workers’ Compensation system may offer payments for all reasonable medical expenses to help treat your injuries and disability payments while you are unable to return to work.
However, there are still ways you can file a lawsuit and recover damages. For instance, if your accident happened due to a piece of defective equipment, you may file a lawsuit against the equipment’s manufacturer instead of suing your employer. If you are successful in your claim, you may be able to recover damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other types of losses. A skilled, knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Fayetteville, AR Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Offering Free Consultations
If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries from a scaffolding accident, our Fayetteville Workers’ Compensation lawyers can help. The Kieklak Law Firm understands the difficulties associated with a workplace injury. We dedicate all our efforts to defending and upholding your rights as an injured worker. To learn more about your case in a free, confidential consultation, call our law offices today at (479) 316-0438.