Beaumont Construction Scaffolding Injury Lawyers
Most construction sites require scaffolding to build, remodel, or paint buildings and other structures. When used correctly, it allows workers to safely access areas that are difficult to reach with the use of a stable platform. However, a person could fall and suffer an injury or even die. If you sustained scaffolding injuries while working, call Portner Bond, PLLC immediately.
Getting hurt on the job causes devastating effects. You could get severe injuries that prevent you from returning to work or require expensive medical treatment. Despite the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, scaffolding injuries still happen regularly throughout the country. Around 70% of these types of accidents occur because of an employer’s failure to enforce OSHA rules.
Scaffolding Accidents and Insurance Claims
Under a workers’ compensation policy, there are multiple benefits available. If you become injured while performing the duties of your job, you could receive benefits for the following:
- Medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Additional benefits, such as travel reimbursement and vocational rehabilitation
Benefits through your employer typically don’t cover all your expenses. While you’re still treating, you’ll receive weekly payments based on a percentage of your usual wage. If your medical bills exceed the benefits, you could face financial issues.
Texas law doesn’t require all businesses to provide their employees with workers’ compensation coverage. If you’re not covered, or your benefits don’t satisfy your total costs, you could file a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim gets filed with your employer’s general liability carrier.
Businesses that carry general liability coverage with bodily injury limits use it when someone gets injured on their property. If your scaffolding injury occurred off-site, you could potentially file a claim with the property or building owner’s general liability.
As opposed to workers’ comp benefits, personal injury claims don’t get paid until the case gets resolved. Instead of receiving weekly payments, you win a lump sum financial award for reimbursement of your expenses. Under Texas law, you could receive compensation for the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical scarring or disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Physical therapy
How Do Scaffolding Injuries Happen?
There are potential dangers that could lead to a scaffolding accident. Whether it’s damaged, improperly secured, or contains hazards to navigate around, you could get hurt on the structure or fall to the ground below. The most common situations that lead to scaffolding injuries include:
- Scaffolding made of low-quality materials
- Wind blowing scaffolding that isn’t sufficiently securely
- Falling from a high distance because of incorrect installment
- Defective material or design
- Loose objects falling from the scaffolding
- Lack of safety devices, such as railings
- Failure to remove or repair damaged scaffolding
- Failure to follow OSHA standards
- Wet or slippery scaffolding
Statistics gathered by OSHA showed that more than 70% of scaffolding doesn’t contain guard rails. Additionally, a lot of companies don’t train their workers or provide the necessary safety equipment. A harness is essential to ensure someone doesn’t fall because of hazardous conditions.
Common Scaffolding Injuries in Beaumont
The injuries many people suffer while performing their job ranges from mild to severe. For those who take all safety precautions, the chance of getting injured decreases. It’s crucial to maintain awareness of your surroundings and the work you’re doing at all times. If you see a danger that could cause physical harm, speak up, and tell management.
Unfortunately, a lot of companies ignore OSHA regulations and allow their employees to use scaffolding without performing routine maintenance or providing safety gear. When there’s an accident, the result is severe injuries, including:
- Impalement
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal injury or paralysis
- Broken or fractured bones
- Internal bleeding
- Neck injury
- Permanent disability
- Nerve damage
Some of these injuries are debilitating. They could interfere with your ability to make a living and provide for your family. Something like this is avoidable if company owners take the time to train their employees, provide safety equipment, and ensure the scaffolding used is in good condition.
How Can a Beaumont Scaffolding Injury Lawyer Help Me?
The Beaumont work injury lawyers at Portner Bond, PLLC represent injured workers just like you. We’ll be ready to help you get the workers’ compensation benefits you’re owed, or help you pursue a lawsuit if a third party caused your accident or if worker’s compensation isn’t available to you. To understand your rights and legal options, call us today.
Our team of legal professionals is available 24/7 to answer your questions or provide you with the status of your case. We’re always available when you need us. It’s our goal to provide superior legal and client services, no matter what.
Were you the victim of a scaffolding accident? Call us at (409) 838-4444 today to schedule your free consultation.