When an accident happens involving scaffolding, it is often the result of poorly-constructed scaffolding, lack of proper safety equipment, human error, or unsafe working conditions. No matter what caused the accident, the injuries could be catastrophic. A Katy scaffolding accident injury lawyer could help determine if you have the right to file a lawsuit.
Texas has a non-subscriber law, allowing employers to opt-out of the state workers’ compensation system. A workplace injury attorney could help injured employees who do not have the option to file for workers’ compensation.
Common Scaffolding Accident Injuries
Accidents on scaffolds happen, and when they do, there can be serious injuries that take a long time to recover from. Injuries may include:
These types of injuries could occur when someone falls from an unstable or broken scaffold structure, when something falls from the top of a scaffolding onto a person on the ground, or when workers are not properly protected while working on a scaffold. A Katy scaffolding accident injury attorney could determine if an employer failed to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
How a Lawyer Could Help
If the injured person works for an employer who offers workers’ compensation, there is no need for a personal injury lawyer. The employee can apply for benefits without needing to prove negligence.
If the injured person works for an employer who has opted out of workers’ compensation, a Katy scaffold accident injury lawyer could help determine liability in the accident, prove negligence, and pursue compensation through a direct lawsuit. An employer may be negligent if they did not train employees how to work safely on scaffolds or if they did not provide the necessary safety gear.
In certain cases, if the accident was caused by a third party, not the employer, then an injured worker could file a lawsuit whether or not the employer subscribes to workers’ compensation. For example, if an outside company installed the scaffolding, and it collapsed, it may be necessary to sue the outside company.
If the scaffolding collapsed because it was manufactured poorly, a lawyer may be able to hold the manufacturer accountable for the injuries. The injured person would need to show that they were using the scaffolding as intended, and that the scaffolding was received in the same condition that it was in when it left the manufacturer.
Pursuing Compensation in a Scaffolding Accident Case
A lawyer could file a lawsuit to recover damages for injuries from a scaffold-related incident. Damages may include:
- Medical expenses related to the injury, including ongoing treatments
- Lost wages
- Loss of the ability to earn future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
- Funeral expenses, if the accident resulted in death
If the lawsuit is successful, full compensation could cover all the past and future medical bills related to the accident, allowing the injured person to focus on recovery without worrying about where the money is going to come from.
Contact a Katy Lawyer About Your Scaffolding Accident Injury
Dangerous workplace conditions, poorly-installed scaffolds, and lack of safety gear could all contribute to a devastating accident. If this happens to you, get legal assistance from the experienced legal team at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP. Reaching out to a Katy scaffolding accident injury lawyer could make a huge difference in the amount of money you are awarded after your injury. We want to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.
