Scaffolding, Ladder & Hoist Injuries
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Working Above Ground
I am George Otstott and in my 53 years of trial experience I have represented thousands of injured workers in Texas. Workers injured while working high above the ground on scaffolds, ladders, lifts and hoists account for many of the most tragic workplace accidents in our nation. A recent study done by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) showed that 65% of construction employees frequently work above the ground on scaffolds, ladders, lifts or hoists. It is therefore not surprising that many of the most common accidents at construction sites involve the use of scaffolds, lifts, hoists or ladders. These accidents typically are the most serious in terms of severity of injuries and death. These accidents are usually caused by defective, improperly installed, or unreasonably unsafe scaffold equipment; an employer's failure to ensure the use of protective equipment; and by objects falling onto workers from scaffolds, lifts, and ladders. Two cases we handled in the North Texas We have recently concluded by settlement two devastating scaffold death cases that both occurred in the North Texas area. In both cases the settlements, while confidential, were enormous. But, in both cases, the families that received these money damage settlements were devastated by the loss of the head of their households. They lost the father, husband and main provider of their family due to the negligence of an employer or third party. Money is no substitute for love, affection and support. Fall from scaffolding - damages Nothing is more terrifying or more devastating than a fall from a scaffold high above the ground at a workplace. Very massive and severe injuries or death are the usual results of these type of high altitude falls. Not only do falls that cause severe injury or death produce huge medical bills, but the worker involved often suffers mental anguish and suffering , not only during the fall, but potentially for years after. Injured workers also lose pay while they are recuperating. In the event of death there is the family's loss of income as well as the loss of love and affection. All of these are damages that can potentially be recovered in the event of a scaffold accident. OSHA scaffold regulations All employers, supervisors, and workers involved in work on scaffolds must obey and comply with OSHA regulations (OSHA Construction Scaffolding Standard 1926 Subpart L) regarding the very basic rules of construction and inspection: (1) Design and construction All scaffolds and scaffold components must be capable of supporting the scaffold’s own weight plus at least four times the maximum intended load without failure. All suspension ropes must be capable of supporting at least six times the maximum intended load. (2) Inspection Employers should require a competent person to inspect all scaffolds and scaffold components for visible defects before use on each work shift. Scaffolds should be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision of a competent person. All components of personal fall protection equipment (including body belts or harnesses, lanyards, drop lines, trolley lines, and points of anchorage) should be inspected by a competent person before use. Any visibly damaged or worn equipment should be removed from service immediately. Falls from equipment operated above the ground level, and often times high in the air, like scaffolds, ladders, lifts and hoists, are usually going to cause very severe injuries or death. Objects falling from this type of equipment at job sites also cause severe injuries and often death. 53 years of workplace injury experience
Our law firm has 53 years of experience in dealing with on the job injuries or personal injury. Experience counts!! |
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1-214-522-9999 
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