Scaffolding Accidents
The construction industry is one of the most important industries in the United States, constructing and maintaining our buildings, roads, bridges, and overall infrastructure. Unfortunately, construction workers are more likely than workers in any other occupation to be injured at their job. There are over 500,000 injuries in the construction industry each year, with an estimated 900 fatalities. Overall, two percent of construction injuries and almost 10 percent of construction deaths are related to scaffolding accidents.
Common Scaffolding Dangers
In 2007, there were 88 deaths attributed to scaffolding injuries. Sadly, in almost three-quarters of all scaffolding injury cases, injuries could have been avoided had the scaffold been in compliance with safety standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The most commonly reported scaffolding dangers include:
- Scaffold plank giving way
- Insufficient support for the scaffolding
- Worker slipping or tripping on the scaffolding
- Worker being struck by a falling object
Scaffolding must be used when constructing almost any building. Scaffolds hold inherent dangers because of their distance from the ground and the risk of falling. In rushed projects, scaffolding might be constructed poorly or on uneven ground. In failing to properly secure and support the scaffolding, serious injuries and even fatalities can occur.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been injured in a scaffolding accident at your job, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact the New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. at 800-346-5529 to discuss your legal options.
