Scaffolding Accidents
Battle-Tested Advocacy for the Injured
Baton Rouge Scaffolding Accident Lawyers
Scaffolding is a crucial component of construction projects. It provides workers with a stable platform from which to complete their tasks. However, when scaffolding accidents occur, they can result in severe injuries and even fatalities.
It is an unfortunate fact that scaffolding accidents harm construction workers every year. Many of these events are purely accidental. However, in other cases, they could have been prevented with proper safety gear and protocols in place, with fully maintained and defect-free equipment, and where negligence did not occur on the part of any involved parties.
Comprehensive Guidance for Scaffolding Accidents in Baton Rouge, LA
If you or a loved one were injured in such an accident, you may be able to pursue compensation through a third-party personal injury claim. For employees, you are entitled to workers’ compensation without having to prove fault. However, in many cases, you may be able to pursue both such claims. At Joubert Law Firm, we can review your case to assess your options and can follow through with applicable action. With decades of experience to draw on, our team has detailed knowledge and the necessary skills to help you pursue optimum compensation for your losses and damages.
Scaffolding is an essential tool in construction because it allows workers to build structures at heights that would otherwise be impossible. Scaffolds provide a platform for workers to stand on while they work on the building's exterior. Different types of scaffolding are used in the construction industry, designed for different purposes and projects. These can include suspended, supported, and rolling scaffolds.
Scaffolds can reach extreme heights, including 100 feet or higher. Accidents involving them can range from items or debris falling or being dropped from scaffolds injuring others below, workers themselves slipping and falling from scaffolds, unstable scaffold support that fails, and more. Falls are the most common scaffolding injury.
In some cases, scaffolding equipment is rented, and work begins without proper attention given to the equipment or its installation or adequate training for workers who will be using them. Even small defects or improperly installed scaffolding can lead to accidents resulting in severe or catastrophic injuries or even deaths.
Common Causes of Scaffolding Defects
Common issues that can cause dangerous scaffolding defects can include:
Improper installation
Inadequate construction
Lack of maintenance
Failure to follow safety guidelines and regulations
Failure to use appropriate materials and components
Inadequate training of workers
Failure to inspect the scaffold before use
Overloading the scaffold beyond its weight capacity
Exposure to harsh environmental conditions
Defective or damaged components
Use of worn-out equipment
Incorrect use of safety features, such as guardrails and safety nets
Lack of proper anchorage and bracing
Where any of the above issues cause or contribute to accidents and injuries, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. In many cases where negligence has occurred, a third-party personal injury claim may be filed often in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation benefits do not cover all of a worker’s wage loss and do not provide benefits for pain and suffering or emotional distress.
When a scaffolding accident occurs, determining who is liable can be complicated. Under Louisiana law, the employer is generally responsible for providing a safe work environment for their employees. The manufacturer of the scaffolding or its components may also be liable if the accident results from a defect in the design or manufacture of the scaffolding.
In the latter case, a third-party personal injury claim may be filed against the scaffolding manufacturer or another third party whose negligence caused or contributed to your injuries. If a scaffolding manufacturer sold defective equipment, the manufacturer may be sued for negligence and be held liable for damages.
These are commonly complex cases in which you will need the representation of a proven law firm to help you pursue fair and just compensation including medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and other damages based on the facts of the case.
Representing the Injured in Baton Rouge Since 2002
At Joubert Law Firm, we can assist you in navigating the complex legal system by gathering and preserving critical evidence, preparing your case for trial, negotiating with insurance companies, and ensuring that you secure the meaningful compensation to which you are entitled under the law.
Because you have just one year from the date of your injuries to file a personal injury claim in Louisiana, we strongly urge you to consult with one of our accomplished attorneys as soon as possible. Our team’s mission is to effectively serve injury victims with the highest standards of legal representation.
“Johnny went above & beyond to help me in a very difficult time. If you need someone to advocate for you, he’s the one to call! So thankful for him & how he handled a case I thought was impossible to help. Give him a call!”
