Before a construction project begins, the crew typically builds scaffolding to safeguard its workers and the public from injuries. On many job sites, the scaffold is the only means for preventing workers and pedestrians from being struck by dangerous falling debris. Safety features incorporated into the scaffold design also prevent workers from falling from a height to the pavement below. Unfortunately, contractors sometimes skimp on this vital stage of the construction process. The pressure to complete a project on time and reduce expenses unnecessarily puts workers at risk of serious and fatal injuries.
Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC has helped workers and their families recover compensation for workplace injuries since 1950. Our attorneys aggressively pursue the maximum workers compensation available so you can get the financial support you need as soon as possible. We also determine whether you have a third-party complaint or a cause of action against your employer for intentional and egregious conduct.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) study, 54 workers died in scaffolding accidents in 2009 — the latest year for which statistics are available. The BLS also reports that 72 percent of workers injured in scaffolding accidents cited as the cause that the planking or support gave way, they slipped or they were struck by a falling object. The BLS report concludes that compliance with OSHA scaffolding standards could control all the causes of these accidents.
OSHA regulates the construction and use of scaffolding. In addition to extensive design, material and engineering specifications for the scaffold support and platform, OSHA requires the installation of fall protection devices — including personal fall arrest systems and guardrail systems. To protect employees from objects falling from above, the construction company is required to install devices that catch tools and debris — such as toeboards, screens, guardrail systems, debris nets, catch platforms, canopy structures or barricades.
Our personal injury lawyers are committed to justice for workers injured on the job because of unsafe work conditions. We consider your employer’s noncompliance with OSHA standards to be unacceptable and we assertively pursue all legal recourses. To maximize your damages award, we consult with medical professionals who advise us about the nature and types of injuries you sustained. To prove causation, we rely on experts in engineering and construction.
To recover the maximum damages for your workplace scaffold accident, call Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC at 862-263-0770 or contact us online to schedule your one-hour free initial consultation. For your convenience, we have offices in Elmwood Park, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Roseland, with Spanish-speaking translators available by request.