Falling off a ladder, both in occupational and nonoccupational settings, often result in significant injuries.
According to the CDC, in the United States alone, more than 500,000 people each year require medical treatment for ladder-related injuries, 300 of which die.
What Are the Most Common Injuries from Falling Off a Ladder?
The major hazard associated with ladder use is falling. A ladder may shift while in use due to a defect, uneven or slippery floor surface, or improper placement.
Even if you’re not too high up or land on a soft surface, falling from a ladder can still result in a serious injury.
The most common injuries from falling off a ladder includes broken bones, back and spine injuries, and head injuries, shoulder injuries, and even traumatic brain injuries.
Cuts, scrapes, and bruises are extremely common, while a more severe injury could result in paralysis or death.
Falls from ladders often require a visit to an Emergency Room for one or more of the following reasons:
- Loss of consciousness,
- Persistent back or neck pain,
- Weakness or numbness in arms or legs,
- Trouble walking or using arms, and
- Sustaining any impact on your head.
What Are the Biggest Causes of Ladder Falls?
Sometimes, the person on the ladder is not responsible for their fall and resulting injuries. In that case, they may be entitled to compensation.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), here are the five most common causes of ladder falls.
Incorrect Extension Ladder Angle
The optimal angle for an extension ladder is 75 degrees, but workers often pull the base further away from the wall.
Extreme angles make the ladder more likely to slide out from underneath the user, leading to dangerous falls.
Inappropriate Ladder Selection
Picking the wrong ladder for the job could lead to structural failure. If a worker puts too much strain on a ladder not built for the job, it could collapse underneath them.
Insufficient Ladder Inspection
A poorly maintained, wet, or dirty ladder could result in a fatal fall. Regular inspection of ladders also allows you to catch any damage to the joints or rungs of the ladder.
Improper Ladder Use
Workers who overreach or carry items on a ladder are more likely to fall during use.
Ensuring three points of contact with the ladder whenever you’re climbing or descending will decrease your chances of a fall.
Insufficient Training
According to NIOSH, most of the country’s construction companies lack the resources or knowledge to train workers in ladder safety training.
Everyone thinks that ladders seem simple to use, but a little safety training goes a long way to prevent mishaps that can ruin a person’s life.
Most incidents occur in the workplace, where employees must reach an elevated height to perform work-related tasks.
If the injury happened at work, report the accident to a supervisor or the human resources department before leaving the premises.
You will need proof the accident occurred to file for workers’ compensation or hold the property owner or developer liable. If you were injured in the workplace let a Kansas City workplace accident attorney help you.
What to Do After a Falling Off a Ladder Injury
After a fall, if you’re able, look around and identify any witnesses. Include them in your report. If they are not co-workers, get their contact information.
Their testimony may help your eventual workers’ comp or injury claim.
As soon as possible after the fall, go to a healthcare provider. If you are seriously injured, you should accept emergency medical treatment and go to the hospital.
If you do not appear to have critical injuries, you should still see a medical professional as soon as possible.The sooner after your accident you get a diagnosis, the stronger your legal claims will be.
Contact a Kansas City Premises Liability Lawyer Today
If you experienced a fall from a ladder due to negligence, contact a Kansas City premises liability lawyer today.
The attorneys at Dempsey Kingsland Osteen have over 75 years combined experience in personal injury and catastrophic injury cases.
We keep your best interests in mind through every stage of your case. In addition to having an excellent legal team, we have a medical team that evaluates and assists in preparing the medical aspects of your case.
We have reached great settlements for our clients throughout the Kansas City area, and we want to put our experience to work for you.
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