Colburn Law
Ladder and Scaffold Accident Statistics in Washington
On construction sites, workers navigate heights using essential equipment essential equipment like ladders and scaffolding. From painters touching up high-rise exteriors to electricians installing overhead wiring, and from window washers maintaining skyscrapers to roofers replacing shingles, these elevation tools serve as vital tools. However, their everyday use carries inherent risks that can forever change workers’ lives.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a ladder or scaffold accident at work, contact a Seattle workers compensation lawyer today to pursue due compensation — call (206) 919-3215.
Choose Colburn Law: Workers’ Comp Representation You Can Trust
- With extensive experience in workers’ comp cases, Greg Colburn is dedicated to fighting for injured workers in Washington.
- We believe in keeping clients informed, ensuring your questions are answered, and your story is heard.
- We offer contingency-based services, meaning there are no fees unless we successfully obtain benefits for you.
Current Ladder and Scaffold Accident Rates
Between 2018 and 2022, 24 construction workers lost their lives on job sites across Washington. Falls consistently emerge as the leading cause of these tragic deaths. In 2022 alone, falls claimed eight workers’ lives—representing 30% of all construction fatalities. Four workers fell from roofs, while others died in falls from ladders, scaffolds, joists, and through skylights.
Common Causes of Height-Related Work Accidents
Height-related accidents often result from a complex interplay of factors, many of which stem from unsafe working conditions or inadequate safety protocols. However, accidents can happen regardless of whether negligence is involved.
Some of the most common causes of ladder and scaffold accidents include:
- Equipment Failure: Defective ladders, worn scaffold components, or improperly assembled structures can collapse without warning, leaving workers with little to no time to react.
- Inadequate Fall Protection: Missing guardrails, insufficient tie-off points, or damaged personal protective equipment can turn routine construction duties into life-threatening events.
- Poor Training or Supervision: Workers may lack proper instruction on equipment use or face pressure to complete tasks quickly at the expense of safety protocols. These factors can easily lead to a fall.
- Weather Condition: Rain, ice, or strong winds can create treacherous conditions for workers on elevated surfaces. They can easily slip and fall off a ladder or scaffold, which can be deadly.
- Improper Maintenance: Failure to inspect and maintain ladders, scaffolds, and safety equipment regularly increases the risk of failure and catastrophic accidents.
Options for Compensation After a Fall at Work
If you fall from a ladder or scaffold while on the job, you can suffer from painful and debilitating injuries. These may include traumatic brain damage, paralysis, broken bones, and severe internal bleeding — a Seattle brain injury lawyer can provide legal assistance in these instances. Fall injuries can have a long and expensive road to recovery—not to mention one that is physically and emotionally taxing.
In Washington, you have the right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim if you are injured on the job. These claims provide essential benefits after a ladder or scaffold accident, covering things like medical expenses and a portion of lost wages during recovery. Additionally, you may be eligible for a third-party lawsuit if another party besides your employer—such as equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, or property owners—contributed to your accident through negligence.
Get Legal Help After a Ladder or Scaffold Accident
Falling from a ladder or scaffold can devastate your physical health, financial stability, and ability to support your family. However, you are not alone. At Colburn Law, our attorney has spent years fighting for the rights of injured construction workers and can guide you through the claims process.
After a ladder or scaffold accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible and notify your employer of the incident. Then, get in touch with a Seattle personal injury lawyer who can fight for you.
Contact Colburn Law at (206) 919-3215 for a free consultation to discuss your legal options and start your journey toward recovery.