Ever fallen off a ladder? Or know someone who has?
You’d be surprised how common this is. Ladders are innocent-looking. They’re just a couple of steps leaning up against something. Yet that “innocent” object sends hundreds of thousands to the hospital each year.
Here’s the scary part:
Many of these injuries are life-changing. Some are even fatal.
The good news? If your ladder accident wasn’t your fault, you do have legal recourse. An experienced ladder accident injury lawyer can help you seek out the compensation you deserve to pay for medical expenses, lost income, and suffering. If a defective ladder, an unsafe worksite, or a negligent property owner caused you to fall, they can be held liable. Personal injury lawyers who specialize in ladder accident cases in NYC work with these types of accidents daily.
Let’s break it down…
What you’ll discover:
- How Common Are Ladder Accidents?
- The Most Common Ladder Accident Injuries
- Who Is Liable For a Ladder Accident?
- Your Legal Options After a Ladder Fall
How Common Are Ladder Accidents?
Ladder accidents are a much bigger problem than people realise.
In fact, 500,000 people were treated for ladder-related injuries in just one year, with 300 of those resulting in death, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Incredible when you think about how many houses have one in their garage.
The CDC recorded 22,710 ladder injuries at work in 2020 and 161 deaths. That’s just from the workplace. Countless ladder injuries occur at home too. Think about cleaning your gutters, hanging lights, and trimming a tree.
Who is most affected? Construction workers, the elderly, and the self-employed face the greatest risk. Ladders are found in just about any work setting. That’s why ladder accidents are so common.
The Most Common Ladder Accident Injuries
Gravity isn’t kind when you fall off a ladder. Even falling just a few feet can cause severe injury. Scarring, painful injuries, life-threatening injuries. These are the ones you’ll see most commonly.
Head and Brain Injuries
This is the big one.
Head injuries are among the most frequent and severe consequences of a ladder fall. After losing your balance and falling backwards, your head will take the brunt of the impact — from a mild concussion to a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Why are these so serious?
A concussion may resolve in a few weeks. But a TBI can lead to lifelong disability, memory loss, and personality changes. In severe cases, it can even kill you. And head injuries can be deceptive – someone may seem “fine” after a fall, only to pass out hours later. Which is why seeing a doctor is absolutely necessary.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Fractures are the most frequent injury in ladder falls.
Did you know that distance fallen is not always indicative of severity? Falling only a few inches can snap your wrist just as abruptly as falling from three stories. The natural reflex when you fall is to reach out with your hand to break your fall. That’s how you break arms, wrists, and hands. Some of the most common fractures are:
- Wrist and arm fractures (from breaking the fall)
- Broken or fractured hips (especially in older adults)
- Ankle and leg fractures (from landing badly)
- Rib fractures (from hitting the ladder on the way down)
Some heal with time. Others require surgery, pins, plates, and months of rehab.
Spinal, Back, and Other Injuries
Back and spinal injuries might be the most life-altering of all.
If your spine is struck directly, anything can happen. A bulging disc to complete paralysis. Injured spinal cords are life altering – they take away your ability to walk, work, and live on your own. Most spinal cord injuries require around the clock care for the rest of your life. Sprains, strains, and deep lacerations may not have life altering consequences. But they still hurt. They can also cause missed days of work and large medical bills.
Who Is Liable For a Ladder Accident?
This is where things get interesting.
Did someone slip on a banana peel? Buy them lunch; they aren’t automatically responsible for their damages. The question remains the same regardless of the circumstances…who is at fault? Negligence plays a role and that negligent party can be held liable in court:
- Manufacturers of ladders: If there was a defective rung, defective lock or weak materials, then the manufacturer could be liable.
- Retailers: Sometimes the store you purchased the ladder from can be held liable.
- Property owners: The owner of unsafe property where you fell may be liable.
- Employers or third parties: There may be a contractor on the worksite.
Determining liability is not always straightforward. That is why competent legal counsel is so important.
Your Legal Options After a Ladder Fall
So a ladder accident happened. What now?
Victims often have more legal options than they realise. It depends on how and where the accident occurred. Here are your primary legal options:
- Workers’ compensation: The worker may qualify for workers’ comp benefits if they fell while on the job. Benefits can include coverage of medical expenses and lost income.
- Personal injury lawsuit: The victim can sue the negligent third party that caused the accident.
- Product liability claim: If your fall was caused by a defective ladder, you can sue the manufacturer or seller of the ladder.
- Wrongful death claim: If your loved one died, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
Here’s the key thing to remember…
Cases like these can get messy quickly. Insurance companies aren’t just going to write you a check. In fact, they will often try to place fault on the victim. That’s where a seasoned ladder accident injury lawyer comes in handy. They’ll take care of all the paperwork, they’ll gather evidence and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. One final piece of advice – consult with a lawyer before you sign anything. You may be giving up thousands if you simply sign an insurance company’s form.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever worked around ladders much, you’ve probably heard about someone getting hurt on one. Head injuries, broken bones, spinal damage… Falling from a ladder can change your life forever. But most importantly… victims have rights.
To quickly recap:
- Ladder accidents injure hundreds of thousands of people every year
- The most common injuries are head trauma, fractures, and spinal damage
- Manufacturers, property owners, and others can be held liable
- Legal options include workers’ comp, personal injury, and product liability claims
Nobody should have to suffer because of a ladder accident that was someone else’s fault. The right attorneys can mean the difference between drowning in expenses and getting the money you deserve to recover — and act promptly, these claims do not wait.
