Mississippi Scaffold & Ladder Accident Lawyer
Serious and deadly injuries occur with frequency in Mississippi due to accidents on scaffolding and ladders. In nearly all of these accidents, injuries could have been avoided with appropriate attention to safety. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hundreds of workers are killed every year in falls that occur in scaffolding and ladder accidents. When a construction worker or an employee in another industry suffers injuries in a fall from scaffolding or a ladder, it may be possible to file a workers’ compensation claim to seek benefits or to sue a third party for injuries if the accident resulted from a ladder defect, for example. Contact our experienced Mississippi scaffold & ladder accident lawyer to find out more about your eligibility for seeking compensation after a scaffolding or ladder accident.
How Do Scaffolding and Ladder Accidents Happen in Mississippi?
Scaffolding and ladders pose many kinds of risks to construction workers and workers in related industries in Mississippi, with falls being the most common. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), at any point when scaffolding or ladders “are not erected or used properly, fall hazards can occur.” Millions of workers regularly perform job tasks on scaffolds and ladders, and OSHA estimates that proper safety protocols could prevent approximately 4,500 injuries each year and as many as 50 fatalities.
How do most scaffolding and ladder accidents happen? The following are some of the most common causes of scaffolding and ladder accidents:
- Failure to train workers to properly use or erect scaffolds or ladders;
- Excess weight on a scaffold or ladder;
- Improperly securing scaffolding or a ladder;
- Lack of safety devices on scaffolding or ladders, like a harness or a guardrail; and
- Defective ladder or scaffolding part that results in the injury.
Preventing Mississippi Scaffolding and Ladder Accidents
The following are steps that OSHA recommends in order to prevent falls from heights, including injuries from ladders and scaffolding:
- Ensure that scaffolding is only used for the intended weight;
- Equip scaffolding with guardrails, midrails, and toeboards;
- Inspect and replace any damaged scaffold accessories like ladders, trusses, braces, or brackets;
- Have a “competent person” inspect all scaffolding and ladders prior to use;
- Properly train employees in the safe use of scaffolds and ladders;
- Ensure that scaffolds and ladders are always at least 10 feet away from the nearest power line; and
- Only use ladders that are long enough or tall enough to reach the work task.
Contact Lunsford Baskin & Prieve, PLLC Today
Ladders and scaffolds pose serious fall-related risks, and it is important for injured workers to know that they may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. You will need to report the accident to your employer within 30 days in order to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in Mississippi. Once you have reported your injury and sought appropriate medical care, you should seek advice from an attorney who can assist you with your claim. Contact our experienced Mississippi scaffolding and ladder accident lawyer today to learn more about filing a scaffold or ladder injury claim.
