Almost every home has a ladder. Ladders are a part of most basic home tasks. They are used for everything from stringing up Christmas lights to decorating the inside of the home. Ladders have been around for generations. But, every year people are hurt when using a ladder. Latter accidents are dangerous. If you or your loved one has been hurt while using a ladder, you may be entitled to damages for your injuries.
Common Causes of Ladder Accidents
There are four main causes of ladder accidents:
- Ladder used improperly
- Ladder in poor condition
- Wrong ladder used for the job
- Defective ladder
If you were hurt at work, worker’s compensation will most likely compensate you for your injuries and lost time, regardless of who was at fault for the ladder accident. But, if you were not at work, you are not able to collect damages for accidents that are your own fault.
However, when someone else’s mistake results in your getting hurt, you may be able to file an injury claim. In many states worker’s compensation laws prevent lawsuits against employers so long as worker’s compensation is available, but the law allows for claims against third parties when they caused or contributed to the accident.
If you were hurt by a defective ladder, even if at work, you may be able to get compensation for your injuries. You will need to contact a tough and experienced personal injury lawyer for help evaluating your options.
Types of Injuries in Ladder Accidents
Most ladder accidents result in someone falling off of the ladder. But, there are other ways to get hurt as well. Some of the most common ladder injuries are:
- Traumatic head injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Fractured bones
- Amputated fingers
- Lacerations
- Torn, ripped, or strained ligaments and tendons
- Sprained or pulled muscles
If you have been hurt in a ladder accident, especially if you hit your head, you need to be evaluated by a medical professional. Even if you do not need to go to the emergency room, you should still have a checkup within 48 hours after an accident.
Your health should be your top priority. Often injures that seem minor can end up causing you significant pain and discomfort. By getting checked out early, you make sure you are getting the treatment you need right away, instead of letting things get worse.
Head injuries are commonly seen as not a big deal, but the effects of a concussion can often get worse over time. Sometimes, even ten years later, improperly treated concussions can significantly impact your quality of life.
The better you follow the treatment advice of your doctors and the more documentation you have about your injuries, the faster you will recover, and the easier it will be if you have to make an injury claim.
Who’s Fault is it If the Ladder Was Unsafe?
Ladders can be unsafe for any number of reasons. If you were hurt because of an unsafe ladder, you need to know who is responsible.
If the design of the ladder itself is defective you may be able to make an injury claim either with the company that made the ladder, or with the store that sold the ladder. These product liability cases are technical are almost impossible to navigate without an attorney.
If the design of the ladders was fine, but it was in bad condition or the wrong ladder was used, then finding who is responsible can be more complicated. If the ladder was obviously unsafe and you went up it anyway, you may not have a claim for an injury. If the ladder was unsafe, but a reasonable person would not have known, then the owner of the ladder may be responsible for damages.
It is also possible that multiple parties are at fault for ladder accidents. A ladder could be defective and the owner could have known the ladder was defective, and still let you use the ladder. In this case claims may be filed against multiple parties.
Successful Ladder Accident Claims
Successful claims in ladder accidents require a lot of work. Even if the case never ends up in court, you have to show that you could prove that another party was negligent. You would have to show that someone had some knowledge about the ladder, or should have had some knowledge, and they allowed you to use a ladder that was unsafe, or otherwise created an unsafe situation.
You would also need to show that you were hurt as a result of someone else’s actions. You also have to be able to prove your damages. It isn’t enough to just show that someone else was responsible for your injuries.
If you want to get all of the compensation you deserve for your injuries you have to show what those injuries were, how they were caused, what type of pain and suffering you experienced, how the accident changed your quality of life, even if just for a short time, and how much money you had to pay out of pocket because of your injuries.
Personal injury law is complicated. If you have been hurt in a ladder accident, we can help you find a lawyer to review your case.
