A Construction Accident Lawyer for Ladder and Scaffold Injuries
For many Wisconsin construction workers, climbing on scaffolding and ladders will be a part of their job duty. These tools are necessary for building projects but are also inherently dangerous. Falls from scaffolds and ladders are the number one cause of accidents and injuries on a construction site. When they occur, the injured worker may turn to our law office Hickey & Turim, S.C. after suffering from broken bones, spinal or back injuries, head trauma, and more.
If you have been injured while working on a scaffold or ladder, you should call a construction accident lawyer in Milwaukee, WI to determine what your options may be in terms of recovering monetary compensation for economic and non-economic losses.
Thousands of People Are Injured Every Year on Scaffolds and Ladders
Across the United States, one in five worker deaths is in the construction industry. Almost 1,000 construction site victims die every year in workplace accidents. If a victim is fortunate to survive, they are usually left battling catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities that greatly affects their quality of life. If this describes your circumstances, our Hickey & Turim, S.C. construction accident lawyer in Milwaukee, WI can meet with you to discuss your case.
Despite the safety measures in place to better protect construction workers, falling from heights is still a very real concern. It is estimated that about 65% of construction workers are using scaffolds or ladders every single day. These two types of equipment cause around 15% of all construction-related deaths, in addition to another 20,000 workers becoming injured each year.
Workers on construction sites are often exposed to danger. This is by virtue of the type of work they do and their risk of sustaining a fatal injury is a real possibility. This is exacerbated when safety precautions are compromised because it further puts workers at risk. The resulting consequences can be catastrophic. Falling from a scaffold or ladder can result in severe or life-changing injuries. Our legal team has assisted in cases that involved:
– Multiple fractured bones
– Broken backs
– Severe spinal trauma
– Neck injuries
– Traumatic brain injuries
– Paralysis
– Death
Accidents of this nature can be life-changing. The victim may never be able to work again, or even worse, the accident might result in death. The individual’s family may have to deal with the grief of losing a loved one on top of dealing with legal issues. Our firm Hickey & Turim, S.C. understands how stressful this can be to an entire family, and a construction accident lawyer in Milwaukee, WI can work around the clock to help relieve the burden this incident may bring.
Can a Lawyer Still Help if You Don’t Want to Go to Court?
Going to court for a construction accident case might feel intimidating. If you don’t want to go to court, you might be wondering how construction accident lawyers in Milwaukee, WI can help you. If you’ve been injured and want compensation for your damages, a lawyer might actually help you more and keep you out of court.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations
Personal injury cases, which typically include construction accidents, are governed by a timeline. If you’ve been injured, you only have a specific time, generally two years, to file a lawsuit against the person who is at fault for your injuries. This is called the statute of limitations. Most commonly, the timeline begins on the date of your injury, but there are some legal aspects that could change that limit.
This means that you have to file a lawsuit within two years (depending on the state) to seek compensation. Just entering into negotiations with the other person’s insurance company isn’t enough to protect your claim. You must file the lawsuit within the statute of limitations to protect your rights. The right construction accident lawyers in Milwaukee, WI can help you to determine the applicable deadline.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
To file a lawsuit, technically, you don’t need to retain Milwaukee, WI construction accident lawyers. However, the experience a lawyer brings to your case is invaluable. Your attorney knows how to present your case to maximize your settlement and to protect your rights.
When you give the defendant or the defendant’s insurance company the impression you aren’t prepared to see the case through, it weakens your claim. Having a good construction accident lawyer in Milwaukee, WI on your side can strengthen the claim,The insurance company won’t want to risk losing to someone who can effectively present a case to a courtroom.
Your attorney can argue a settlement with the insurance company outside of the courtroom and negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement. It’s estimated that most personal injury cases settle without going to trial. Some say that 99% of cases won’t have to go to court. Just the threat of a lawsuit in a courtroom is often enough to get the other side to settle.
Maximize Your Case
Don’t let the insurance company know that you’re simply interested in a quick settlement. Your lawyer may still help you if you don’t want to go to court.It is best to consult a construction accident lawyer in Milwaukee, WI to discuss your situation to find the best outcome, no matter what your goal is.
The Most Common Reasons for a Scaffold or Ladder Fall
A majority of scaffold or ladder injuries could have been prevented, had the right measures been taken. The two main contributing factors of these accidents entail defective or broken equipment, and human error. Depending on why you fell, you may be able to recover monetary compensation for your injuries.
To avoid falling from a scaffold or ladder, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) advises construction employers to follow their standards and regulations. When they fail to do so, injuries can result. Every year, OSHA publishes the top 10 violations made by construction employers. One of these violations that makes the yearly list is a failure to follow the proper fall protection safety regulations.
It is the duty of the employer to ensure the construction site is safe for everyone, including those who are working on ladders or scaffolds. Furthermore, these workers should be trained on how to maneuver on these products and have access to all necessary equipment to keep them safe while working.
In the event of an injury because of a ladder or scaffold fall, a construction accident lawyer in Milwaukee, WI may ask you a series of questions, to help figure out the reason why your accident occurred:
– Was the scaffold or ladder defective?
– Did the equipment exceed the recommended weight load?
– Was the ladder or scaffold properly secured?
– Was the equipment poorly maintained?
– Did the injured worker have access to safety equipment?
– Was there proper harnesses and/or guardrails?
– Was there sufficient qualified supervision?
Who Is to Blame?
Construction sites can be at building sites, dig sites, excavation areas, underground and roadway/highway areas, and many other locations. Project managers are required to implement effective safety protocols, but in the interest of cost cutting, safety shortcuts occur frequently which can result in serious or fatal injuries.
The safety violations that occur which lead to the fatal four often include inadequate fall protection, ineffective scaffolding, faulty electrical methods, poor machinery guards/lack of protection, and inefficient respiratory protection. When management or ownership takes shortcuts, it leaves workers vulnerable to injury. Negligent or careless decision makers should be held accountable.
If an accident occurs that results in a death or catastrophic injury, legal representation can be of tremendous assistance. Our construction accident lawyer in Milwaukee, WI from Hickey & Turim, S.C. thoroughly understands the complexities of seeking compensation under these circumstances. Our legal team will fight for justice on behalf of you and your family. We will make every effort to obtain the financial compensation you deserve for your losses.
Hickey & Turim, S.C. Has the Experience
Our legal team understands how much of a financial strain a legal case may cause, especially if you are not working due to a worker’s comp injury. We believe you should not have to pay legal costs unless we win your case or negotiate a settlement, so we only charge an attorney fee if you receive compensation for your injury.
Our dedicated team of attorneys is ready to tackle your case and get you back to healing without the stress of medical bills and little to no income. We are here to protect your rights and fight for justice. Call Hickey & Turim, S.C. To schedule a consultation with a construction accident lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, please contact us without hesitation for guidance.
What Is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Construction?
A Milwaukee, WI construction accident lawyer knows how critical personal protective equipment (PPE) is to the safety of workers. PPE are items that construction workers wear to help protect themselves from serious harm in the event of an accident. This equipment must be worn and not removed until their shift is over, or if they have completed a task and moved onto another, where certain PPE is no longer needed. At the very least, each worker should wear safety glasses and a hard hat. It also can help to wear shirts that are reflective or highly visible, so they can be easily seen by their coworkers who may be using dangerous machinery or tools nearby.
Construction workers must wear clothing that is durable yet flexible, and the least skin exposed the better. Employers who do not offer personal protective equipment (PPE) to their workers may be held financially liable if an employee gets hurt.
Depending on the task at hand and potential hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE) may be needed. An employer must establish a safety protocol and ensure that it is abided by all workers.
What do protective gloves do for construction workers?
Wearing personal protective gloves provides a buffer between skin and harmful substances, temperatures, electricity, and sharp objects. There are various kinds of gloves that are available to construction workers. To be effective, gloves must have dexterity and thickness, along with being of proper length, size, and fit for that worker. Generally, gloves fall into one of these four categories:
- Fabric and Coated Gloves: made of cotton or similar fabric, and protect against chafing, abrasions, and dirt.
- Chemical and Liquid Gloves: for resistance against harmful chemicals with toxicity and highly concentrated corrosive materials.
- Insulated Rubber Gloves: mainly used to safeguarding a worker against electrical shock.
- Canvas, Leather or Metal Mesh Gloves: this strong layer helps protect construction workers from serious punctures, cuts, and burns.
Is there protective equipment that helps reduce hearing loss?
Construction sites tend to be very loud, so much so to the point where protective equipment must be worn to protect against hearing loss. As a construction accident lawyer in Milwaukee, WI can explain, an employer must provide earplugs, hearing bands (canal caps), or earmuffs. These items are to be evaluated for effectiveness, comfort, and fit. If a worker has to constantly adjust their protective hearing gear, that can also pose a safety hazard because their attention is being taken away from the task at hand.
- Hearing Bands (Canal Caps): these devices go over the ear canal at the opening, and aren’t used as frequently as other safety gear since they offer a lesser degree of protection.
- Ear Muffs: a muff cup is lined with a foam that reduces noise, and sits over the entire external ear. The degree of effectiveness depends on seal tightness.
- Pre-Molded Ear Plugs: these are designed to fit into various sized ear canals but have little expansion or contraction so getting a strong seal can be difficult.
- Foam or Formable Ear Plugs: these plugs are inserted and expand, filling the ear canal while sealing it against the inner walls. Because it fits into various shaped ear canals, it can be quite effective for most.
A Milwaukee, WI Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help If You Have Been Injured
If you suffered injuries because your employer failed to provide PPE, contact Hickey & Turim to meet with a seasoned construction accident lawyer Milwaukee, WI worker trust to find out what legal options you may have.
