Virginia Scaffolding Accident Attorneys

Were you or a loved one injured in a scaffolding accident in Virginia? Has the injury caused you pain and suffering and made you miss time from work? Do you also have expensive medical bills piling up? Scaffolding accidents on construction sites can cause serious injuries that make life difficult for you and your family. You need a Virginia construction accident lawyer from CHASENBOSCOLO to help.

Although working in construction is inherently dangerous and it’s inevitable that accidents will happen from time to time, negligence and carelessness should never be excused. If you were seriously injured in a scaffolding accident because another person or entity acted negligently, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim and be compensated for your injuries.

At CHASENBOSCOLO, we can help you present the best possible case and fight for your right to receive a fair settlement for your injuries. Before you accept a settlement offer for injuries at a construction site, call us today at (703) 538-1138 to discuss your situation with one of our knowledgeable scaffolding accident lawyers in Virginia.

The Types of Scaffolding Accidents in Virginia

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific rules and regulations for scaffolding safety. That means that before you’re allowed to work on a scaffolding platform, your employer must make sure certain guidelines having to do with the construction, design, and inspection of the scaffolding have been followed. Proper guardrails, footings, and personal fall arrest systems are just a few of the safety protections employers must adhere to.

It’s also important that employers train their employees how to properly erect, move, and maintain scaffolding on the job. When an employer fails to abide by the required standards or poorly trains an employee, and you suffer an injury as a result, you may be eligible to file a claim against the at-fault parties. Although filing a workers’ compensation claim usually prohibits you from suing your employer, there are exceptions. Alternatively, a third party may be liable for your injuries.

Listed below are some of the most common reasons scaffolding accidents happen at construction sites:

Worker negligence. Most scaffolding accidents occur because of human error. When workers are careless and put together unsafe scaffolding or fail to properly check and maintain scaffolding, they put everyone at risk. Being distracted or not paying attention to details causes many accidents at construction sites.
Dangerous conditions. Weather conditions such as rain or snow can make scaffolding slippery and increase the chances of slip and fall accidents. High winds and lightning storms can also cause unsafe conditions for workers. It’s an employer’s duty to decide if the conditions caused by weather prevent a job site from being safe enough for employees to continue working.
Employer negligence. An employer can be careless in a number of ways, such as by using poor quality materials, failing to provide adequate fall protection, or doing or failing to do anything else that prevents them from providing a safe work environment for workers. When they breach their duty to provide safe working conditions for employees, they are being negligent and can and should be held accountable.
Falling debris. When objects are not secured properly on a scaffold, they can fall and strike workers below. This is one of the most common causes of scaffolding accidents and one of the most dangerous kinds. Being hit with a blunt object that has fallen from a height can cause serious brain injuries and even death.
Unstable surfaces. Falls are the biggest cause of scaffolding accidents and accidents in general at construction sites. Slip and fall accidents can happen when a surface becomes unstable either because of poor construction, substandard materials, or other factors like weather. It’s important that scaffolds are inspected daily to check for unstable surfaces.

Even low-height scaffolding accidents can lead to severe and life-altering injuries. Not only can the initial treatment from the accident be incredibly expensive, but follow-up care and rehabilitation can last for years.

Some of the most common injuries from scaffolding accidents include:

Bruises and broken bones
Head injuries like concussions and traumatic brain injuries
Back injuries
Spinal cord injuries such as herniated discs and paralysis
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Death

Back and spinal cord injuries can be excruciatingly painful, as well as difficult and expensive to treat. Sometimes victims are left with chronic pain that requires surgery and a lifetime of treatment, making a return to work difficult or impossible.

Although workers’ compensation may help you pay for some of the initial expenses, in many instances, it is not nearly enough. Speaking with a scaffolding accident attorney in Virginia and discussing your case before accepting a settlement offer is the best way to decide what to do next.

Why Choose CHASENBOSCOLO to Handle My Scaffolding Accident Claim?

With over three decades of experience fighting for clients in Virginia, CHASENBOSCOLO has recovered millions of dollars for our clients over the years. Our team of knowledgeable attorneys has been recognized with many awards, but what we’re most proud of is the hard work and determination we dedicate to our clients on a daily basis.

We know money can be tight after an accident, which is why, if you work with CHASENBOSCOLO to file a personal injury claim for a scaffolding accident, you will never have to pay any upfront costs. Furthermore, if we cannot reach a fair settlement agreement for your claim, we’re not afraid to represent you in court and defend your rights.

Statistics about Construction Accidents

Despite all the rules and regulations governing safety at construction sites, scaffolding accidents remain a huge problem and cause hundreds of accidents every year.

Listed below are some statistics about construction site accidents in the United States:

An estimated 65% of the construction industry works on scaffolds.
Over 70% of worker injuries in scaffolding accidents were because of a slip and fall, a loose plank giving out, or because of falling objects or debris.
In 2019, over 5,000 workers died on the job in the United States, and 20% of on-the-job fatalities occurred in construction.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 4,500 injuries 60 deaths every year because of scaffolding accidents.

FAQs

We’ve handled many scaffolding cases over the years, and our clients often have questions. Following are a few of the most common:

Who is liable in a scaffolding accident?

A scaffolding accident can be a traumatic experience and one that has a lasting effect on you and your family’s physical, emotional and financial health. Unfortunately, proving negligence for a scaffolding accident is not always easy.

In order to be compensated beyond your workers’ compensation claim, you must establish who was liable for the accident. It is possible for more than one party to be responsible for a scaffolding accident.

The potentially liable parties in a scaffolding accident include:

A third-party property owner
The construction company or contractor
A manufacturer of parts
Another employee

A scaffolding accident attorney can help you establish who acted negligently and is liable for your injury. Do not accept a low-ball offer from an insurance company after a scaffolding accident in Virginia.

The attorneys of CHASENBOSCOLO can review your case in detail and help you move forward with filing a claim. If they cannot negotiate a fair settlement, they are not afraid to represent you in court.

What should I do after a scaffolding accident?

After any type of accident, seeking medical care is always the first thing you should do. Next, notify your employer of the accident in writing. Try to write down as many details about the accident as you can and keep your notes. Also, save all bills and documents that are related to the accident and contact a scaffolding attorney from CHASENBOSCOLO as soon as possible.

What can a scaffolding accident attorney do for me?

Accidents at construction sites are complicated, and a number of factors can be involved in your claim. For example, sometimes employers challenge workers’ compensation claims and try to reduce benefits paid after a scaffolding accident. It’s also common for insurance companies to offer low settlement amounts and try to trick or intimidate you into accepting.

Having an experienced scaffolding accident attorney on your team can help you receive a fair settlement amount for your injuries. Scaffolding attorneys in Virginia can also help you collect evidence, fill out paperwork accurately and on time, and identify the liable parties. In some construction accidents, there is more than one negligent party, which means there will be more than one insurance company to deal with. An experienced scaffolding accident lawyer can help you deal with multiple parties and protect your rights during the process.

Contact the Experienced Scaffolding Attorneys of CHASENBOSCOLO Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a scaffolding accident in Virginia, you should speak with a knowledgeable Virginia construction accident attorney right away. At CHASENBOSCOLO, we work compassionately and diligently on our clients’ behalf to build your best possible case and recover a fair settlement for your injuries.

For over thirty years, we’ve helped clients in Virginia who were wrongfully injured in construction accidents. Contact CHASENBOSCOLO today at (703) 538-1138 for a free consultation with one of our experienced scaffolding accident attorneys.