The construction industry is known for more work-related deaths than any other industry.
One of the leading causes of death is falls, including falls from scaffolds. Unsafe scaffolding is a common source of lawsuits by construction workers and their families, seeking compensation for the personal injury or death of the worker.
OSHA Safety Standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have established rules, regulations, and standards on how scaffolds should be constructed, used, and maintained. In addition to OSHA, state laws and private organizations also publish laws and standards for the use, maintenance, and construction of scaffolds. A violation of any of these regulatiions can subject a party to a lawsuit.
- A scaffold should have the ability to support weights that are at least four times more than the anticipated necessary weight.
- Loose barrels or bricks should not be used to support scaffolds.
- There should be a minimum of 12 inches of overlapping for all planking.
- Planks should always extend by 6 to 8 inches over the end support.
- Workers should be provided with overhead protection while working.
- Scaffolds should be kept clean and tools, debris, and material should not accumulate on a scaffold.
- There is a prohibition on shore-scaffolds and lean-scaffolds.
Violating Safety Regulations
Despite these standards and regulations, accidents do occur. Many of these accident cases are taken to court when companies face legal proceedings for violation of these regulations. The legal requirements for filing a personal injury lawsuit include:
- That it was the duty of the defendant to provide for the safety of the injured.
- That the duty to provide safety was breached by the defendant.
- The breach caused the worker harm.
Generally, violation of any of the aforementioned safety regulations is considered as breach of duty. In such cases, any party that is involved in providing, maintaining, and moving scaffolding – including individuals in decision-making positions such as managers at construction sites can be held liable for injuries.
Damages in Scaffolding Accidents
Scaffolding accident can cost a worker:
- loss of life
- minor to severe injuries to the back, spine, head, and limbs
- loss of wages due to the absence from work during recovery
- past and future medical expenses
- pain and suffering
St. Louis Work Accident Lawyers
An injured worker can claim workers’ compensation benefits that will cover the medical bills and a part of lost wages. If you can prove that the accident was a result of the negligence or breach of duty by a third party, you may have a third-party claim. It is best to have your case evaluated by a St. Louis work accident lawyer. Call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300.
Workplace Injury and Accident Causes
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos Removal
Second Hand Asbestos Exposure
Sexual Assault Workplace
Physical Assault at Workplace
Workplace Injuries Assembly Line
At Fault Accident
Workplace Attack
Benzene Exposure
Injured on Lunch Break
Building Collapse
Workplace Bullying
Chemical Exposure in the Workplace
Chemical Hazards in the Workplace
Cold Stress in the Workplace
Combustible Dust Explosion
Computer Use
Construction Site Accident
Conveyor Belt Accident
On the Job Injury Cause by Coworker
Crane Accident
Injuries from Desk Jobs
Diesel Exhaust Fumes Exposure
Digging Injury
Breaking Company Policy
Drowning at Work
Workplace Drug Use
Electrical Workplace Accidents
Elevator Accident
Equipment Accident
Ergonomics in the Workplace
Excessive Overtime
Workplace Explosion
Extreme Danger
Fall at Work
Fire in the Workplace
Slicer Accident
Forklift Accident
Walk in Freezer
Gas Pipeline Accident
Hard Work
Workplace Hazardous Substances
Hazardous Equipment in the Workplace
Heavy Machinery Accident
Horseplay in the Workplace
Danger at Workplace
Insomnia in the Workplace
Jumping Accident
Ladder Falls at Work
Loading Dock Accident
Machinery Accident Workplace
Equipment Failure Accident
Mining Accident
Mold in the Workplace
Nail Gun Accident
Workplace Noise
Non Collision Accident
Heavy Objects
Workplace Office Equipment
Opioid Use
Injury at Work Due to OSHA Violation
Overexertion Injuries at Work
Use of Pain Killers
Power Tool Injury
Inadequate PPE
Repetitive Motion Injuries in the Workplace
Mansfield Bar
Scaffolding Accident
Secondhand Smoke in the Workplace
Side Effects
Silica Exposure
Sleep Disorder
Slip and Fall Injuries in the Workplace
Stairs at Work
Struck by a Vehicle
Tar Fumes
Toxic Chemical Exposure
Toxic Fumes in the Workplace
Car Accident While Working
Trench Collapse
Trips at Work
Unsafe Working Conditions
Workplace Violence
Welding Injury
Winter Hazards in the Workplace
Working Shifts