Basch & Keegan LLP regularly represents Hudson Valley construction workers hurt on the job, including cases in which a worker was injured because of defective and dangerous scaffolding equipment. Scaffold injuries can be very serious and even fatal — requiring skilled legal counsel to determine the cause of the accident, uncover all potentially liable parties, and accurately assess present and future damages accountable to the injury.
Contact our Kingston scaffold accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation by using our message form or calling (845) 251-4545.
According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) study, over 70% of workers injured in scaffold accidents attribute the accident to either planking or support giving way or to slipping or being struck by a falling object. Many of these incidents are preventable. With 65% of construction projects involving the use of scaffolding (according to the BLS), the likelihood of an unfortunate accident is high. According to OSHA, safety compliance and employer education can prevent approximately 4,500 accidents and save up to 50 lives annually.
In most cases, scaffold accidents are entirely preventable. Scaffold accidents, such as falls, scaffold collapse, falling tools and debris, and electrocution, are most commonly attributed to factors such as:
Failure to use guard rails and fall arrest systems to prevent falls from elevations
Failure to ensure proper scaffold construction and/or access
Overloading a scaffold with workers or equipment
Failure to routinely inspect a scaffold for visible defects
Failure to train workers to recognize hazards
Working on a scaffold during storms or high winds
Failure to barricade the area below the scaffold to avoid injuries caused by falling tools or debris
Failure to use panels, screens, canopies, or nets to contain or deflect falling objects
Failure to maintain required clearance distances between power lines and scaffolding to prevent electrocution
Failure to de-energize power lines and install protective covering to avoid electrocution
While hazardous, scaffolds are often an essential aspect of construction work. There is no excuse, however, for failing to follow safety standards and creating an unnecessarily perilous environment for workers who are already engaged in dangerous tasks. The attorneys at Basch & Keegan LLP have successfully held liable parties responsible for scaffolding injuries outside of the New York workers’ compensation system.
After suffering injury from a scaffold accident, there are some key actions you should take to protect your rights and get the justice you deserve. Follow these steps thoroughly and your case will be stronger for it:
Get medical care immediately following the accident - Having these records and putting yourself on a course for recovery is essential.
Ensure that you obtain evidence from the accident scene, such as photographs and a written record of what occurred
Report the accident to the owner of the property as well as the construction property
Contact a professional attorney who can investigate the case
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a scaffold accident in Greene, Dutchess, Ulster, or the surrounding counties, please contact Basch & Keegan LLP for a free initial consultation. We handle even the most complex construction accident cases involving catastrophic injuries and complicated facts.
To schedule a free consultation with our scaffold accident attorneys in Kingston, complete our contact form or call (845) 251-4545.
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