California Scaffolding Injury Attorneys Assist Workers Hurt in Falls
Determined representation for victims in Sacramento, Rancho Cucamonga and statewide
Falls, especially falls from heights, are the leading causes of serious injury and death in the construction industry. Many falls involve scaffolds that were not reasonably safe for workers to use. If you or a loved one was injured in a scaffold accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Mastagni Holstedt, APC can help. For decades, we have represented seriously injured construction workers in Sacramento, Rancho Cucamonga and throughout California. We thoroughly investigate injury events to assemble the evidence necessary to recover fair and adequate compensation. In many cases, injured workers are not limited to workers’ compensation as a remedy. If there are grounds for a third-party lawsuit, you can trust us to pursue it aggressively on your behalf.
Scaffold injuries take a heavy toll on construction workers
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 2.3 million construction workers, representing roughly 65 percent of the construction industry, work on scaffolds. The vast majority of scaffold accidents are attributable to the planking or support giving way, the employee slipping or the worker being struck by a falling object.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has standards in place to prevent such scaffold accidents, but unfortunately, many contractors and subcontractors are not in compliance. OSHA frequently issues citations for violations in the categories of fall protection and construction of scaffolds. Such violations routinely put construction workers, roofers and painters at risk of death or severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and shattered bones.
Reliable assistance with workers’ compensation claims
Generally, a worker hurt in a construction accident must use workers’ compensation to recover medical costs and other expenses from an employer. If a worker is seriously injured in a scaffold collapse or a fall from a height, permanent disability is a very real possibility. If you must rely on workers’ compensation, you want to maximize your disability benefit. Unfortunately, many insurers will push back, asking you to accept a lump-sum settlement that looks good at first glance but is actually worth less over time than you truly deserve. If you’ve been offered a settlement, don’t sign anything until you speak to a knowledgeable workers’ comp lawyer at our firm. We’ll explain your rights, and help you achieve a fair settlement that protects you and your family for the future.
Suing a third party for injuries suffered in a scaffold accident
Although workers do not have the right to sue their employers directly for personal injury or wrongful death, many workers use scaffolding erected by a subcontractor with whom they do not have an employer-employee relationship. In those circumstances, the worker has a right to sue the third party for negligence. Such a lawsuit allows the worker to recover not only economic damages, such as wage loss and medical bills, but also damages for pain and suffering.
Contact a skilled California scaffold accident attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a scaffold collapse or a fall at a construction site, or if the accident was fatal one, Mastagni Holstedt, APC can come to your aid. Contact us online or call for a free consultation with one of our attorneys in Sacramento, Rancho Cucamonga or Pleasanton. We take all personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.