Recovering
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Claiming Maximum Benefits for Workers Injured in Falls from Heights
A Leading Contributor to Construction Worker Injuries and Deaths
Pennsylvania workers in various industries are at risk of suffering injuries due to accidents involving falls from heights. This type of workplace accident continues to be one of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) top four most common causes of construction worker deaths.
The experienced workers’ comp lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. are dedicated to fighting on behalf of all types of workers injured due to falls from heights and helping them obtain compensation for their injuries.
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Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Help Workers Obtain Compensation for Falls From Heights Injuries
If you were injured in a fall from heights accident at work, contact a Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. We can help you evaluate your legal options to ensure maximum recovery. Our experienced attorneys have represented clients for over 40 years. Please complete our online contact form or call us at 888-PITT-LAW for a free consultation. Larry Pitt & Associates helps throughout:
Common Causes of Falls from Heights
Under the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers have a duty to provide workers with safe and healthful workplaces, free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause serious physical harm or death. Employers must also follow OSHA regulations and safety requirements pertaining to fall protection.
However, falls from heights remain common in many workplaces and can be caused by various factors, including:
Unsafe ladders, scaffolding, and other platforms: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that an average of 60 workers are killed and 4,500 are injured in scaffolding accidents each year. It is one of the most commonly cited OSHA safety violations, and these types of accidents are particularly common in the construction industry. According to OSHA, falls from heights of six to 15 feet accounted for approximately 25 percent of all fatal falls in one year.
Worn out, malfunctioning or nonexistent safety equipment: Requirements vary by industry, but all those performing work at heights should have some form of fall protection. Types of fall protection systems include guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, and warning line systems.
Employers should follow OSHA’s fall protection systems criteria and practices according to their industry, and perform regular, thorough maintenance on all equipment.
Weather conditions: Those who work on roofs during the winter are at increased risk of suffering injuries due to slips and falls from heights because of slippery conditions. To safeguard workers who clear snow from roofs or perform roof work during inclement weather, employers must develop safe snow and ice removal plans.
Employees should also take safety precautions such as wearing water-resistant boots with rubber treads and walking slowly across icy surfaces.
Injuries Due to Falls from Heights
Injuries from this type of workplace accident vary in type and severity, depending on the distance of the fall, how the worker landed, and other factors.
Some common injuries resulting from falls from heights our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers have seen include:
- Back, neck and shoulder injuries
- Bruises and lacerations
- Disfigurement
- Fatal injuries
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sprains, strains, fractures and broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
Workers’ Compensation for Falling Injuries
In Pennsylvania, most workers may collect workers’ compensation benefits for workplace injuries or occupational illnesses. Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, a worker must notify his or her employer within 120 days of the accident.
Workers’ compensation benefits include reasonable and necessary medical expenses, partial compensation for lost wages, and other types of compensation depending on the type of injury, such as permanent or temporary disability, vocational rehabilitation, specific loss, and death benefits.
If someone other than the worker’s employer caused the accident, such as a subcontractor who provided faulty equipment, or the manufacturer of a faulty piece of equipment, the worker may be eligible for additional forms of compensation through a third-party claim.
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