Ladders can present a significant safety hazard in the workplace, especially if they are not properly maintained. Ladder accidents can cause serious injuries, including broken bones, brain injuries and spine injuries. If you get injured in a ladder accident at work in Denver, you may be eligible for financial compensation through one or more sources.
Ladder falls send many workers to hospitals in the U.S. each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, 161 workers died from ladder falls and 22,710 were injured. The majority of ladder-related injuries occurred in installation, maintenance and repair jobs, followed by construction and extraction.
In an effort to improve the safety of workers who have to use ladders for their jobs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has rules in place for ladder usage. Employers must adhere to certain safety standards when it comes to portable ladders, fixed ladders, rungs and steps, and other ladder components. If necessary, ladders should have cages, lifelines and other safety devices for employee safety.
A ladder accident could leave you with injuries that cost thousands of dollars in medical care and render you temporarily or permanently unable to work. In Colorado, options are available to allow injured workers to recover monetary benefits for workplace accidents. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek financial compensation through one or more types of claims.
In Colorado, the workers’ compensation system provides financial benefits to injured employees without requiring proof of someone else’s negligence or fault. If you fell off of a ladder while performing a work-related task, you may qualify for workers’ comp benefits that pay for your past and future medical care and reimburse you for about two-thirds of your lost wages.
Some ladder accidents are caused by preventable acts of negligence, meaning someone’s failure to act with a reasonable or ordinary level of care. An example is if your employer ignored ladder safety regulations or failed to replace an old or defective ladder.Â
If your employer contributed to your ladder accident in some manner, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim with the help of a Denver personal injury attorney against the company. This could result in a greater financial recovery than workers’ comp, including an award for your pain and suffering.Â
In Colorado, once you accept a workers’ compensation settlement, you cannot sue your employer for negligence in connection to a ladder accident. You can, however, bring a claim against a third party. Â
If a party such as the manufacturer of the ladder, the owner of the property where the accident took place or a contractor is at fault for your accident in Denver, you could recover through both a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury lawsuit.
If you get injured in a ladder-related accident at a construction site or in another workplace in Denver, a personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable legal assistance. Your attorney can carefully evaluate your case and give you tailored legal advice about the best course of action to take. Your lawyer can identify any parties that may be responsible for your injuries, gather evidence and file your claim(s).
 Whether a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit is the right route for you, your attorney can handle the legal process with ease. You can trust your ladder accident lawyer to advocate for your best interests and fight for maximum financial compensation on your behalf. Meanwhile, you can focus on healing from your injuries.Â
To discuss your case with a Denver ladder accident attorney in Denver at no cost and no obligation, contact Fang Accident Lawyers at (303) 710-8623.Â