Most Common Types of Scaffolding Injuries

Scaffolding is an incredibly important part of construction, particularly around the city of Chicago. Anytime a construction project involves multiple floors, there will likely be scaffolding present for construction workers and contractors to operate on. However, injuries caused by inadequate safety surrounding scaffolding do occur. Here, our Chicago personal injury attorneys want to discuss the most common types of scaffolding injuries that occur as well as whether or not you can recover compensation in these situations.

How Scaffolding Injuries Occur

Scaffolding injuries occur in a wide variety of ways. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Falling from the scaffolding. Falling from scaffolding can result in severe injuries, particularly depending on the height of the scaffolding when the fall occurs. These incidents can lead to catastrophic injuries and an increased likelihood of a fatality.
• Objects falling off of the scaffolding. Anytime a person is carrying tools or other objects on scaffolding, the objects should be properly secured. If any objects fall from scaffolding onto individuals below, this can lead to significant injuries, including traumatic brain injuries.
• Slip and fall incidents. Slip and fall incidents on scaffolding can be caused by slippery surfaces or objects out of place on the scaffolding. Slip and fall incidents can lead to individuals falling all the way off of the scaffolding as well.
• Scaffolding collapse. If the scaffolding is not constructed correctly or regularly inspected and maintained, it could collapse and lead to significant injuries for those on the scaffolding as well as those anywhere in the area below.

Most Common Injuries Workers Sustain

Some of the most common injuries caused by scaffolding accidents include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Whiplash
• Other neck or back injury
• Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
• Internal bleeding
• Loss of damage to a bodily organ
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Crush injuries or amputations

In addition to these physical traumatic injuries, individuals who sustain scaffolding injuries may suffer from significant emotional and psychological trauma. This can include feelings of stress, anxiety, fear, and even symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that last long after the physical injuries have healed. It is important for injury victims and their legal team to acknowledge these unseen emotional and psychological traumas in order to recover full compensation for the effects of the injury.

Call a Work Injury Lawyer Today

If you or somebody you care about has sustained an injury as a result of a scaffolding incident in Chicago, you need to reach out to an attorney immediately. An experienced scaffolding accident lawyer in Chicago will fully investigate the incident and handle all communication with the insurance carrier and your employer to ensure you are treated fairly. You should be able to recover compensation for your medical bills related to the injury as well as a significant portion of your lost wages if you cannot work while you recover.

An attorney will gather the evidence needed to prove liability for the claim so you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back to work as soon as possible. This will include handling negotiations with the insurance carriers while also fully preparing the case for trial if necessary to ensure you are treated fairly.