Scaffold Accidents

A scaffold accident attorney plays an important role in getting you compensation when your accident is the result of some else’s negligence on the job. Workplace accidents that involve defective, unsafe scaffolding aren’t always cut and dry, which is why you want the best scaffolding injury attorney to represent you in mediation with your employer, insurance companies and even worker’s compensation representatives. Call RAM Law near me in NJ soon after you have a scaffold accident to speak to an experienced scaffolding injury lawyer.

What Are Scaffold Accidents?

Scaffold accidents involve the collapse, malfunction or other safety infractions in dangerous situations associated with scaffolding used in building, maintenance and renewal projects. Scaffolds are temporary structures built on construction sites to offer raised platforms for workers to undertake height-related operations.

If you or anyone you know suffered any damage or injuries due to a scaffold accident, get in touch with a scaffold accident lawyer to know what to do next. Only a scaffold accident attorney can assist you in evaluating your damages and help you get the most compensation. RAM Law in New Jersey is a legal practice that offers useful knowledge in scaffold accidents and other personal injury type cases.

What Causes Scaffold Accidents?

Poorly secured scaffolds near sidewalks might injure people, resulting in pedestrian injuries. Scaffolds often endanger workers on the jobsite, making property owners responsible for negligence and premises liability. Understanding and addressing the cause of scaffold accidents is necessary to make future amends to prevent them; common causes of scaffold accidents include:

Not being properly built or adhering to safety rules can lead to collapse or instability.
Lack of frequent inspection and maintenance results in weakened scaffold components, raising the risk of accidents.
Excessive weight on the scaffold can lead it to collapse.
Workers who haven’t received sufficient scaffold safety training may be unable to use the equipment safely or identify possible hazards.
Failure to use proper fall protection equipment, such as guardrails, safety nets or personal fall arrest systems increase the risk of an accident.
Adverse weather conditions — such as heavy winds, rain or ice — makes working on a scaffold riskier.
Workers engaged in risky actions — such as leaning too far over guardrails, using homemade platforms or failing to use safety equipment — increase their risk.
Communication issues among workers, supervisors and other personnel on the job site can lead to unsafe situations.
Inadequate supervision may cause workers to take shortcuts or ignore safety rules.

A scaffolding accident often results in injuries ranging from small cuts and bruises to catastrophic injuries like brain damage, spinal cord injuries or even death. Injuries on scaffold can happen due to:

Falls from heights
Scaffold collapse
Being struck by falling objects
Electrocution
Tripping hazards
Material handling accidents
Structure failure

What Should I Do if I’ve Been in a Scaffold Accident?

If you’ve been in such an accident, look after your safety, as well as protect your legal rights so that you’re not compromised in the future. Remember:

If you’ve been injured, seek medical assistance at once, even if the injuries appear minor.
Inform your supervisor or the person in charge of the worksite about the accident as soon as possible.
Report it to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
If you’re physically able, photograph or videotape the accident scene.
Obtain the contact information for any witnesses to the accident.
Preserve any material proof from the accident, such as broken scaffold components or personal protective equipment.
If your company has worker’s compensation insurance, report the accident as soon as possible.
Consult with a scaffolding injury lawyer at RAM Law who focuses on workplace accidents.

Regarding a scaffold accident lawsuit in New Jersey, the time restriction for filing a personal injury lawsuit is normally two years after the accident. Your other legal options may include:

If the accident happened at work, you may be eligible for payments under New Jersey’s worker’s compensation rules.
If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you could sue to recover damages.
If the accident was caused by a defective scaffold or equipment, you could file a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
If the accident happened on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, you could pursue a premises liability claim.

How Can a Scaffolding Accident Lawyer Help Me?

A scaffold accident lawyer in New Jersey helps you preserve your legal rights and collect compensation for your injuries and damages by:

Navigating New Jersey’s legal system, courts and processes
Evaluating liability under New Jersey’s comparative negligence rules and helping you understand your rights
Helping you navigate the worker’s compensation procedure and ensuring you obtain the benefits you’re entitled to
Pursuing payment beyond worker’s compensation in cases where negligence is involved
Striving to maximize compensation for medical expenditures, lost wages, pain, suffering and future damages

Worker’s compensation insurance in New Jersey pays for medical bills and disability benefits for employees injured in scaffolding accidents, regardless of responsibility. Potential compensation may also include:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Wrongful death benefits
Loss of employment and future earnings
Punitive damages

Liability in a scaffold accident lawsuit is decided by investigating the facts surrounding the accident and applying legal principles to determine who is legally responsible. Your scaffolding injury attorney determines liability by looking at multiple factors, such as:

Liability is determined by determining if someone violated their duty of care, directly causing the accident and resulting losses.
Comparative negligence. New Jersey uses a comparative negligence law, which allows compensation to be lowered if the injured party is significantly at fault.
Strict liability. In certain situations, liability can be established without proving negligence, such as in product liability claims involving defective equipment.

When You Are Injured, Our Industrial Accident Lawyers at Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, L.L.P. Will Help

An accident from a Scaffold accident can be life-changing and saddle you with mounting medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our seasoned Personal Injury lawyers at Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, L.L.P. can help. Call 732-247-3600 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We are located in New Brunswick, Somerville, and Freehold, New Jersey, and we serve clients in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and Somerset County.

Sources:

https://fredsonstatmore.com/bloomfield-construction-accident-lawyer/ladder-and-scaffolding/

https://www.garberlawoffice.com/south-jersey-construction-accident-lawyer/scaffolding-accidents/

https://www.greenbergrubylaw.com/scaffolding-accident-causes

https://www.dispartilaw.com/12-common-causes-of-scaffolding-accidents/

https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/-/2022/4/5-common-causes-of-scaffolding-accidents

https://onmyside.com/faqs/who-is-liable-for-scaffold-accidents/

https://sobolaw.com/practice-areas/construction-accidents/scaffold-accidents/

https://www.wkw.com/construction-accidents/blog/scaffolding-accidents/