Fall Accidents on Georgia Construction Sites
Falls constitute the leading cause of accidents in the construction industry, according to OSHA. This includes falls from ladders, scaffoldings, unfinished roofs and other elevations. Construction accidents involving falls also are the number one cause of fatalities among construction workers and account for over 100,000 injuries per year, which amounts to 10 percent of all construction site deaths based on Bureau of Labor Statistics. The effects of injuries sustained from a fall of this type can be long lasting and not only affect the victim but seriously impact the injured construction worker's family. The chances of permanent disability are high, and catastrophic injuries are common. This often results in significant medical expenses and long periods of painful rehabilitation.
If you have a fall on a construction site and suffer serious injuries or a loved one dies in a fall, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our experienced Fulton County construction accident attorneys take appropriate actions to investigate your claim so that we can help you obtain the compensation that you deserve.
Falls from scaffoldings and ladders can result from a variety of causes that include:
- The scaffolding collapses due to being improperly set up or poorly maintained.
- The ladder or scaffolding is defectively designed or manufactured.
- The construction worker is not trained on proper use of the equipment.
- The employee was not supplied with proper safety equipment.
- Workers on the ground are careless and strike the equipment or damage it in some way leading to it being weakened.
Another common type of serious fall that is common on construction sites are "fall through" incidents. These construction accidents involve workers on rooftops or upper floors falling through an open floor. These accidents usually result from improper safety measures or failure of a co-worker to properly mark an unfinished open floor. By adhering to government safety guidelines and regulations, nearly all of these construction falls could be prevented or the severity of injuries substantially decreased. These guidelines include education of workers, the use of protective equipment and rail and/or netting to prevent falls.
OSHA requirements are strict and safety measures must be complied with to protect construction workers from serious falls. If an employer or other company on the job site does not comply with these regulations, this failure to adhere to and enforce safety regulations can result in falls with devastating consequences. A fall-related construction accident claim against an employer will take the form of a worker's compensation claim. Because worker's compensation damages are typically more limited than damages in a personal injury action, our experienced Atlanta Construction Accident Attorneys at Montlick and Associates investigate the circumstances surrounding a construction accident to identify possible negligent conduct by third parties that can give you the right to pursue an additional compensation and benefits. We often pursue both a workers' compensation claims against an employer and a personal injury claim or lawsuit against negligent third parties.
Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years of Experience to Work For You
The Atlanta construction accident attorneys of Montlick and Associates have been representing those who suffer serious injuries or wrongful death for over thirty years throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.