Of all the industries in the United States, construction is one of the most hazardous for workers. The list of dangers that face construction workers is a long one, but at the top of that list is injury related to scaffolding.
Scaffolding is a major part of many construction projects, and workers often do their jobs on these structures at great heights, furthering their risk of injury should they fall. The South Carolina scaffolding injury attorneys at The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers have represented many workers to make sure they receive the compensation they deserve after suffering a workplace injury.
How Dangerous is Scaffolding?
Scaffolding injuries happen way too often in the construction sector, ranking as one of the leading causes of serious injuries and death. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that over 2 million construction workers (representing around 65 percent of the construction workforce) work on scaffolding as part of their job. OSHA reports that close to three-fourths of scaffolding injuries occur to either the planking/support giving way or the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object.
Scaffolding safety violations are among the most common in construction. OSHA lists scaffolding as the third most common violation in the construction industry, falling behind only fall protection and hazard communication standard violations. The takeaway is that construction companies have a long way to go in preventing scaffolding injuries among their workers.
Common Scaffolding Injuries
Injuries that occur due to structural failures or scaffolding collapses can take many different forms. Some of the injuries that workers are most likely to suffer due to scaffolding are:
Brain Injuries – Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by any blow or jarring of the head. Even though construction workers wear protective headgear, the number of traumatic brain injuries in the construction industry every year is evidence that helmets aren’t sufficient in protecting workers.
Spinal Cord Injuries – Just like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage can be caused by slips, trips and falls in the workplace. These injuries are costly for workers, not only because of the pain and suffering that they cause, but also due to the fact that they are costly to treat and result in a great deal of time away from work.
Serious Fractures – When a worker falls from a great height like they do after a scaffolding collapse, the results can be disastrous. Compound fractures and multiple-bone fractures are just a couple of examples of broken bone injuries that can cause a worker pain and significant time lost at work.
There are many consequences for the workers who suffer these injuries. Pain, suffering, medical bills, ongoing treatment, loss of wages and loss of work capacity can all befall a worker in the wake of a scaffolding injury. Unfortunately, poorly maintained or faulty scaffolding can also result in the death of a construction worker, leaving a family to grieve and face the incredible financial fallout that occurs in the wake of their loss.
How We Can Help You
Workers in the United States are entitled to compensation for injuries they suffer on the job. If you or a loved one has suffered a scaffolding injury, the attorneys at The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers will fight for you to make sure that you are treated fairly and given adequate compensation for the personal injury damages you have suffered. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
