Statistics: Ladder Accidents on Construction Sites
Just how common are ladder accidents in the construction industry? According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), each year approximately 25,000 construction workers are injured in accidents involving falls from ladders and stairways. Nearly one out of every four ladder accidents in the United States happens on a construction site. A study conducted by BLS showed that:
- In 42 percent of ladder accidents, it is the person working on the ladder who is injured.
- Among those injured, while working on ladders, 66 percent do not have any training on how to inspect ladders for defects.
- More than half (53 percent) of all ladder accidents involve ladders breaking while in use. Approximately one in five (19 percent) of these ladders were later found to be defective.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, BLS’s data also show that ladder safety is a major issue on construction sites. For example, more than half of all falls from non-self-supporting extension ladders involve failure to secure the ladder at the top or bottom, and close to half involve failure to extend the ladder at least three feet above the top landing. In many cases, these issues are the result of construction companies, contractors and subcontractors equipping workers with inadequate ladders and safety equipment and untrained coworkers.
Seeking Financial Compensation for Injuries from Ladder Accidents
In Colorado, the workers’ compensation system provides “no-fault” benefits that cover injured workers’ medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages. Despite the “no-fault” nature of the system, construction workers will often find it exceedingly difficult to get employers and their insurance companies to pay the benefits they deserve.
As a result, if you have been injured in a ladder accident, it is strongly in your best interest to hire an attorney. An experienced attorney will know not only (i) how to calculate your benefits, but also (ii) how to work with your employer and its insurance company to collect the benefits to which you are legally entitled.
Get Help Now From a Denver Workers Compensation Lawyer
Another reason to seek legal representation after a ladder accident is that, in many cases, injured construction workers will be entitled to additional compensation from ladder manufacturers, contractors, and other third parties. At Levine Law, we handle workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, and we can seek maximum compensation from all of the parties that are responsible for your losses contact us today.
