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Scaffolding Accidents

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

 

Construction work is dangerous, especially when that work is done off of the ground at high levels and on unsteady footing. Scaffolding is an important tool in many aspects of construction work, but unfortunately, these elevated structures are not without risk of serious, and sometimes deadly, injuries. 

If you have been injured in a scaffolding accident, contact Mike Agruss Law for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, Mike Agruss Law is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice. 

Scaffolding Accident Statistics 

An estimated 65% of construction projects in the U.S. require the use of scaffolding by 2.3 million workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS estimates that scaffolding accidents result in 4,500 injuries and 60 deaths every year, with almost 30% of all fall-related deaths on construction sites involving scaffolding or ladders. 

Because of the dangers, scaffolding can present, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has established extensive safety rules regarding the assembly and use of scaffolds, as well as the training and precautions that workers need to take to remain safe. These rules were updated in the late 1990s after a BLS study discovered that even with these standards in place, 25% of injured workers received no scaffolding safety training and 77% of scaffolds had no safety guardrails in place. 

As stringent as the new OSHA rules are, however, they are not always followed. 

How Scaffolding Accidents Occur 

According to the BLS, 70% of the accidents that occur on scaffolding are related to falling; either with the worker falling from the scaffolding or the worker being hit with a falling object. Other reasons for scaffolding accident include:

  • Supports or planking giving way due to improper assembly or improper maintenance.
  • Slipping or tripping
  • Lack of guardrails and safety equipment
  • Falling debris

The nature of scaffolding accidents means that when accidents do occur, the resulting injuries are often serious or fatal. Common injuries seen in scaffolding accidents include: 

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Fractures
  • Lacerations
  • Organ damage
  • Paralysis
  • Death 

Many of these injuries take months to years of recovery and some are permanent. This can mean lost wages, extensive medical bills, permanent disability and disfigurement, pain and suffering, and other expenses that can lead to financial hardship. 

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, an experienced personal injury lawyer can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.

We at Mike Agruss Law are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at the work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at Mike Agruss Law, we put People, First

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google.  Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7. 

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