Ladder Accidents Lawyer

Some common causes of ladder accidents include:

• loss of balance;
• improperly mounting or dismounting the ladder;
• failure to set up the ladder properly;
• attempting to over-reach while on the ladder; and
• missing a step while climbing or descending the ladder.

Ladder accidents can cause all kinds of injuries. Examples include:

• Head injuries
• Broken bones
• Broken hips
• Paralysis
• Cuts and abrasions
• Brain injuries
• Concussions

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, ladder accidents mostly occur in the following industries:

• Installation, maintenance, and repair - over 5000 injuries in 2020
• Construction and extraction – over 5000 injuries in 2020
• Service industry – over 3000 injuries in 2020
• Sales related – over 2600 injuries in 2020
• Transportation and material moving – over 1600 injuries in 2020

This will depend on the specifics of the accident. In some cases, more than one party might be responsible for your injuries. Here is how liability is determined in such an accident.

The Ladder Manufacturer

The ladder's condition will come into play when determining liability for the injury. The main question here is whether the ladder was fit for human use. In other words, the person investigating the injury will want to establish whether the ladder had a defect in style, design, or even a missing part that could have contributed to the accident.

If so, then the ladder manufacturer might be held responsible. The argument is that the ladder injury could have been prevented had it not been for the manufacturer's negligence in designing or assembling the ladder.

The Ladder's Owner

You can also sue the owner of the ladder under certain circumstances. For example, let's say you are a professional electrician. You show up at a particular apartment to repair an electrical fault. The apartment manager gives you a ladder to use to access the electrical fault in the ceiling. Unfortunately, halfway into climbing the ladder, the ladder collapses, sending you landing head-first on the hard ground.

As a result, you suffer several broken bones that require surgery. In that case, you may be able to hold the ladder's owner responsible for the injuries if investigations show that the ladder was old, rusty, and poorly maintained. This is because it is the ladder owner's responsibility to ensure that the ladder is safe and in good condition before handing it to anyone to use it. Therefore, failure to do that is considered negligence and worthy of a lawsuit.

The damages you may be able to recover will depend on the type and severity of injuries sustained. In most cases, the more severe your injuries, the more damages you may recover. But that rule is not permanent; the unique circumstances of your case will ultimately decide what damages you may recover. Some common damages in a ladder accident lawsuit include economic and non-economic damages.

Examples of economic damages in such a lawsuit include medical bills, lost wages, lost earning potential, and the cost of ongoing treatment, such as physical therapy.

On the other hand, you may recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and loss of consortium. It is important to note that a loss of consortium claim is usually a standalone claim filed by the spouse of the injured. This claim seeks compensation for the loss of companionship, moral support, and even intimacy due to a loved one's injury.

For instance, let's say you fell off a ladder and suffered severe back injuries, which led to permanent paralysis. As a result, your spouse can file a loss of consortium claim if you can no longer participate in intimacy with them like you used to due to your new condition.

Yes, you can file a wrongful death claim if your loved one dies due to a ladder accident. This is because their death could have been avoided had it not been for the other party's negligence. However, keep in mind that, in most cases, only the deceased's immediate family members can file such a claim.

Some common damages in a wrongful death claim include funeral expenses, loss of financial support the deceased would have proved had it not been for the ladder injury, and loss of companionship.

You will likely need to file a worker's compensation claim when you get injured due to a ladder accident at work. Most employers are required to provide worker's compensation insurance for their employees. This insurance compensates employees who get injured at the workplace. As a result, the worker loses their right to pursue legal action against the employer.

However, this does not necessarily mean you cannot entirely sue your employer if you get injured in the workplace. The unique circumstances of your case will determine whether or not you may be able to sue. For example, although workers' compensation insurance protects employers from lawsuits, employers can still be sued if they intentionally injure their employees. You can also sue your employer if you get injured in the workplace and realize they do not have workers' compensation insurance to protect you.

Another thing you need to know is that when you file a worker's compensation claim, you can only recover medical expenses and lost wages. On the other hand, when you file a lawsuit, you recover economic and non-economic damages, as discussed earlier. This explains why it is always advisable to contact an experienced attorney to learn more about your legal options.

Follow these steps if you get injured in a ladder accident.

Seek Medical Attention
This is the first and most crucial step. Here's why.

When you seek medical attention, diagnosing and treating injuries becomes easier. This simple step could be the difference between life and death after a ladder accident. Remember, internal injuries are quite common when it comes to ladder accidents. If you do not seek immediate medical attention, you may not know whether or not you suffered serious internal injuries. In addition, if left untreated, these injuries could lead to brain damage and even death.

Secondly, seeking medical attention is one of the best ways to prove that you actually suffered a ladder accident injury. Otherwise, the other party will not believe your version of events, even if you have visible injuries. Instead, they will simply argue that you suffered those injuries elsewhere, and you will be responsible for proving them wrong.

Remember to obtain a copy of the doctor's report when you seek medical attention. This report will come in handy when you need to prove your case.

Document the Accident

If possible, document the accident. While at it, remember to note the following:

• where the accident occurred;
• what happened;
• the injuries sustained; and
• whether anyone witnessed the accident.

In addition, you may take photos and videos of the accident and injuries, including the dangerous condition. For instance, if the ladder was rusty, broken, or had missing parts, ensure you document that and take photos or videos to prove your claim.

Contact a Ladder Accident Attorney

Speaking with an attorney before filing a claim or lawsuit is always a good idea. An experienced attorney will help review the unique circumstances of your case and determine the best approach. For example, the attorney might walk you through filing a workers' compensation claim if you got injured in the workplace. On the other hand, if you get injured at a residential or commercial property, the attorney can help determine liability and also help you file a claim or lawsuit against the liable party.

Morgan & Morgan is the best personal injury law firm to contact when looking for a competent and experienced ladder accident attorney. But with the availability of numerous personal injury lawyers and firms across the country, what makes Morgan & Morgan the best?

Here's the answer:

Morgan & Morgan is the largest personal injury law firm in the United States, serving clients from coast to coast. Regardless of where the accident occurs, a Morgan & Morgan ladder accident attorney may be able to represent you.

In addition, Morgan & Morgan has the resources to fight for you if you have a valid claim. With an army of over 800 personal injury attorneys specializing in different injuries, including those caused by ladder accidents, we always have the right lawyer to represent you during these difficult times.

And that's not all—we have an impressive record of winning huge settlements for our clients. This is because we have powerful resources and aggressive attorneys who do not settle for less. In addition, our attorneys understand how painful and stressful it is to deal with injuries sustained due to someone else's negligence.

You will have huge medical bills and other personal financial commitments you can no longer keep up with due to your injuries. But, that is where Morgan & Morgan comes in to offer the shoulder you need to lean on in these trying times.

Our ladder accident lawyers will fight for you as you recover from your injuries. And, if you lost a loved one, we can also fight even harder to ensure you get compensated for your loss. 

Despite being the nation's largest personal injury law firm, we offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Additionally, you do not have to worry about not being able to afford our lawyers; we will only charge you if we win. This means you have nothing to lose but a lot to gain when filling out our free case evaluation form.