Chicago Scaffold Accident Lawyer
Construction is usually a sign of growth and improvement in an area, but not everything that construction brings is positive. These sites involve the use of dangerous equipment, such as scaffolding, which can injure workers and passersby alike when something goes wrong.
Too many people are injured and killed each year in preventable accidents such as falls from scaffolding, scaffold collapses, or electrocution. Whether you were injured on the job, as a passerby on the sidewalk, or in another scaffolding accident, you need an aggressive advocate on your side.
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., our Chicago scaffold accident lawyers have the experience and the resources to handle these complex construction accident injury claims. We have over 40 years of experience helping clients just like you across Chicago and surrounding areas demand fair compensation after devastating scaffold accidents. In total, our respected legal team has recovered more than $2.5 billion for personal injury victims and their families.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a scaffold accident in Chicago, contact the nationally recognized legal team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., right away. We will immediately launch an investigation into the cause of your accident and help you demand the full compensation you need to recover. Contact us today to set up your free consultation.
How Is Scaffolding Dangerous for Workers and Bystanders?
When construction work needs to be done at heights above ground level, scaffolding is usually set up to give workers a safe way to reach the area. Scaffolding usually stays up until the project is completed. This means that its exposed to all kinds of inclement weather that might impact its structural integrity.
In some cases, scaffolding can break or collapse, causing devastating injuries to any workers who were on it at the time, as well as those below. Even when scaffolding doesn’t break, it can still contribute to a dangerous environment. Workers might slip on platforms or fall off ladders, leading to catastrophic injuries because scaffolding is typically high off the ground. Even the smallest mistake can lead to tragedy. For example, if someone accidentally bumps an object sitting on a platform, it can fall off and hit a worker or someone walking by.
Common Types of Scaffold Negligence
Scaffolding is meant to make a dangerous job safer for workers and those who are passing by. Unfortunately, when safety precautions are not in place or other errors are made, anyone in the vicinity of the scaffolding could be in danger.
Some of the most common causes of scaffold accidents and related injuries include:
- Collapse of the scaffold structure due to manufacturer or assembly errors, leading to catastrophic injuries or even death
- Improperly inspected or poorly maintained scaffolding that puts workers and bystanders in great danger
- Slippery surfaces that lead people to fall off the scaffolding or slip and hit their heads, contributing to everything from sprained ankles to paralysis
- Objects that fall from platforms and hit other people, causing traumatic brain injuries and other harm
- Scaffolding that comes in contact with live power lines, leading to the electrocution of people on or around the structure
Our knowledgeable construction accident lawyers handle all types of cases involving scaffolding injuries. We have an in-depth understanding of the scaffolding regulations outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. When we take on your case, we will carefully examine what went wrong and determine who should be held responsible for compensating you.
Safety Standards for Scaffolding
Oftentimes, some of the most common accidents on and around scaffolding can be prevented if those managing the work site take basic safety measures. Some common safety measures that should be taken around scaffolding include:
- Make sure that the structure is only assembled or maintained by workers who have the proper training and experience to install scaffolding and ladders.
- Use safety equipment, such as guardrails and worker restraints to help prevent falls and reduce the severity of injuries.
- Ensure that any worker in the area is trained on basic safety measures, including weight limits for the scaffolding and proper safety equipment.
- Install nets and paneling to protect workers and other people in the area from tools and other objects that might unexpectedly fall off the scaffolding.
- Put up barriers and signs to help reduce the chance of pedestrians or unauthorized visitors walking in dangerous areas.
Compensation After a Scaffolding Accident
If you were injured in a scaffolding accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Our Chicago scaffolding accident attorneys can help you understand your legal options and thoroughly document the damages you are facing related to your injuries. The compensation you may be able to recover includes payment for:
- Current and future medical expenses, including compensation for medications, doctor visits, travel to appointments, surgeries, and therapies
- Lost wages during recovery from your injuries
- Loss of ability to earn comparable income in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship or consortium
After a serious accident, you have enough to worry about with your recovery and your family. Let our lawyers take the pressure of a legal claim off you. We manage all communication with the at-fault party and the insurance company, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
How Our Scaffold Accident Attorney Can Help
It can feel like an uphill battle to try to get the money you’re owed when you’re also struggling to recover from injuries caused by a scaffold accident. However, if you or a loved one were injured in a scaffold accident, you might be entitled to significant compensation, and we can help.
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., we understand the frustration that comes with coping with injuries caused by other people’s negligence. If you’ve been injured in a scaffold accident, we want to help you fight for your legal rights and the fair compensation you deserve.
Take the first step on the road to recovery. Call our compassionate legal team today to set up your free consultation.
