Working in construction puts people in some dangerous situations. Construction workers work high off the ground, with heavy machinery and sometimes without a stable foundation beneath them. To account for these hazards, workers often rely on things like temporary structures, like scaffolding. In fact, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, nearly two-thirds of the 2.3 million people working in construction work on scaffolds.
However, scaffolding is not without its flaws. Because it is a temporary structure, it is not as sturdy or protective as buildings are. With all this in mind, we urge readers of this blog to be aware of the common accidents that happen on scaffolds and what to do in the event of an accident.
In some cases, scaffolding accidents are just that: accidents. They are no one’s fault and they could not have been prevented. In other cases, however, they can be prevented with reasonable care, proper safety equipment and compliance with safety regulations.
Should you or your loved one get injured or killed in a scaffolding accident, remember that you do have legal options to pursue compensation to help cover the various damages associated with the accident. These legal options include workers compensation claims, negligence claims, and even wrongful death claims.
