Scaffold Accident Lawyers: Complete Guide | October 2024

Scaffolding Accident Statistics

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 65% of construction workers frequently work on scaffolds. OSHA also reports that preventing these incidents would stop 50 deaths and 4,500 injuries annually. These construction injury figures underscore the inherent danger of working on scaffolding and the need for stringent safety measures.

All scaffolds present hazards to workers, but suspension scaffolds have been found to be particularly dangerous, as evidenced by a report issued by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Suspension scaffolds rely on ropes or cables, which can fail due to improper setup, equipment failure, or even environmental factors like high winds. These scaffolds are often used at great heights, meaning accidents can lead to devastating injuries or fatalities.

Repercussions Of a Scaffolding Accident

Falling from any form of scaffolding can have severe and long-lasting consequences, such as:

Serious Personal Injuries

The biggest impact of a scaffolding accident is the physical injuries a victim may sustain. You may break bones, suffer from a concussion or other head trauma, or even become paralyzed. Victims may also experience internal bleeding, spinal cord damage, and other severe conditions that require long-term medical care. Healing from these issues can take months, though in some cases, you may never make a full recovery.

Lost Wages

As you recover, you’ll miss time from work, which means you’ll lose out on your wages. If your incident happened at work, you’ll be eligible for workers’ comp benefits, but these programs typically pay two-thirds of your normal wages, which can leave you in a financial bind. If your injuries are severe enough to prevent you from returning to work, you could lose your livelihood altogether. If your incident occurred outside of your normal duties, you may have a more difficult time getting workers’ comp benefits, which could lead to even bigger losses.

Financial and Emotional Hardship

The longer you are out of work, the higher all of your bills will pile up. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could miss months of work, which could lead to long-lasting financial hardship. Beyond medical bills, you may also incur expenses related to rehabilitation, physical therapy, and necessary home modifications if your injury results in long-term disability.

Even if you’ve got the funds to cover your minimum expenses, the road to recovery won’t be easy. You’ll face serious emotional hardship in the aftermath of your incident. You may feel isolated and alone, especially if you are bedridden for multiple weeks. Many accident victims also report experiencing anxiety, depression, and PTSD as a result of their ordeal, which can further delay recovery.

Why Hire a Scaffolding Accident Lawyer?

The aftermath of a scaffolding accident can be overwhelming to navigate alone. Therefore, it’s important to seek expert support as soon as possible, as they will be able to help you with the following:

Recovering Damages

One of the primary functions of a scaffold accident lawyer is to help you recover damages, which are meant to offset your losses and address the emotional turmoil caused by your accident.

Your lawyer will calculate the tangible costs of your incident, including lost wages and medical bills, as well as other variables, such as pain and suffering and other forms of emotional trauma.

Once they’ve determined a fair value for your damages, they’ll negotiate with the opposing party’s legal team in hopes of achieving an out-of-court settlement. If that isn’t possible, they can take your case to trial and let a jury decide how much to award you.

Holding the At-Fault Party Accountable

During the claims process, your attorney can ask for monetary and punitive damages. The latter, in particular, are meant to punish the at-fault party for their negligence and help protect others from similar incidents. Punitive damages can be especially important in cases involving gross negligence, like when safety protocols were knowingly disregarded or defective equipment was used despite warnings.

Offsetting Your Financial Losses

Missing work and incurring medical bills at the same time can be very expensive. If you don’t take legal action against the at-fault party, you could be stuck paying most of these costs out-of-pocket.

Workers’ comp settlements average over $41,000, and personal injury suits average $125,000. However, in cases involving severe injury or long-term disability, construction accident lawsuits and settlements can reach into the millions, ensuring you have the financial security needed to move forward with your life. While the exact amount you’ll recover will vary, an experienced legal professional will be able to help you determine a fair settlement offer and maximize your opportunity to recover stress-free.

How Much Does a Scaffolding Accident Attorney Cost?

As of 2024, attorneys cost approximately $260 per hour. The exact rate your scaffold accident attorney charges will vary based on the state you live in, the attorney’s level of experience, and other variables.

The good news is that most personal injury lawyers, including those who handle scaffolding incidents, bill on a contingency basis. That means you won’t pay anything unless they win your case. And even if you do win, the attorney’s fees will be deducted from your settlement amount, and you’ll receive the remaining balance. In other words, you’ll never need to pay anything out-of-pocket. This makes legal representation accessible to anyone who has been affected by a scaffolding accident, regardless of their financial situation.

Find an Experienced Scaffold Law Professional Near You

Finding the right attorney for your case doesn’t have to be challenging, thanks to ConsumerShield. We’ve built a nationwide network of attorney partners, all of which have been thoroughly vetted to ensure they can effectively meet your needs.

To get started, contact ConsumerShield today. We’ll connect you with a legal professional who is experienced with scaffolding accident claims so you can seek justice. They will provide expert advice on your case, guiding you through the settlement process and your fight for justice.