When walking through the streets of the greater New York area, you will notice that scaffolding is present everywhere. It is impossible not to have to walk underneath it at some point, and, in doing so, you can only trust that it has been safely erected.
Scaffolding is completely safe when it has been assembled correctly, and when it is not supporting excessive weight. However, if safety precautions are not adhered to on the construction site, the consequences can be catastrophic.
How do scaffolding injuries happen?
If the scaffolding is not properly assembled, it takes only one weak link for the entire structure to come crashing down. This is why construction site workers are trained to the highest degree on scaffolding safety, and it is also why it is likely that the construction site will be liable for any accident that does occur.
Scaffolding can also fall if it is sustaining excessive weight. There are regulations in place that attempt to ensure that no scaffolding holds anything close to the maximum load it can sustain. Therefore, if scaffolding falls for this reason, the construction company will have some serious legal queries to answer.
What are the most common injuries that are sustained after a scaffolding failure?
Scaffolding injuries are usually very serious, no matter whether the injured person was on the scaffolding at the time of the incident, or below. The most common consequences of scaffolding injuries include brain injuries from mild concussion to severe brain damage, back and spinal cord injuries, and neck injuries. It could also result in broken bones and paralysis.
What can people do if they have become scaffolding accident victims?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a scaffolding accident as a private person, it is likely that you will be able to file a successful personal injury claim by showing that the construction site was negligent in their operating, and therefore that they were responsible for the causation of the accident.
It is possible to be able to recoup damages for both real financial losses due to the incident, and for the emotional and physical suffering endured. It is important to take action as soon as possible after a scaffolding injury in New York.
