Scaffolding is a common sight in construction-heavy cities. These temporary platforms are safe to work around, or walk under, as long as they are set up correctly and workers use proper safety equipment. However, if scaffolding is not set up correctly, workers do not use adequate protective equipment—such as helmets and harnesses— or someone acts carelessly, accidents could occur, which may have life-altering consequences for everyone involved.
If you have sustained injuries in a scaffolding accident while working, the compassionate workplace injury attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris could help you seek fair financial restitution. When workers’ comp is not available to you, a Galveston scaffolding accident injury lawyer could provide the tireless and tenacious support you need to achieve the best possible results.
Who Could Be at Fault for a Scaffolding Accident?
If you are an employee—as opposed to an independent contractor—working for a company that provides you with workers’ comp coverage, you could seek reimbursement through that coverage on a fault-free basis for reasonable medical expenses, a significant portion of lost wages, and other expenses related to your injuries. However, since employers in Texas have the nationally unique option of being non-subscribers and not providing workers’ comp coverage to employees, victims of scaffolding accidents often do not have these benefits available to them.
Our workplace injury attorneys could help you determine whether you could file a lawsuit directly against your employer following a scaffolding accident in Galveston. If you can prove that your employer was even partially responsible for your accident, you may be able to recover damages not covered by traditional workers’ comp. Alternatively, we could help you seek civil restitution from other parties whose negligence contributed to your accident, such as a careless contract worker, a supplier who provided faulty materials, or a company that did not install the scaffolding properly.
Filing Time Limits for Scaffolding Injury Claims
Filing time limits for civil lawsuits allow more time for you to get the process started. Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 allows injury claims to begin a maximum of two years after the date of the initial injury. However, these cases can be more complex than workers’ comp claims, and contacting an injury lawyer familiar with scaffolding accident claims in Galveston could be beneficial to your compensation claim.
Contact a Galveston Attorney for Help Following a Scaffolding Accident
Falls from height, impacts from falling objects, lacerations caused by sharp metal, and even structural collapses are all accidents that could happen in the construction industry, and in particular around scaffolding.
A Galveston scaffolding accident injury lawyer experienced in handling construction injury claims could help you through the process of seeking financial recovery. Call Schechter, Shaffer & Harris today to schedule a consultation to discuss your rights and legal options.
