New York City Ladder Accident Lawyer

OSHA offers the following guidelines for the prevention of accidents and injuries related to faulty or precarious ladders:

• Use the appropriate ladder-type for a specific job.

• Inspect the ladder visually for any apparent signs of damage, such as:

• Bent/split side rails, structural damage, missing or broken steps/cleats/rungs and damaged or missing safety features

• Grime, grease, or other substances that could lead to slips and accidents

• Stickers or paints (other than warning labels) that could cover possible damage

• Distinctly mark a faulty ladder with a “Do Not Use” sign or destruct or remove it immediately.

• Ensure that the ladder is sufficiently long to access the work surface safely.

• Never load a ladder with more weight than the capacity stated by the manufacturer or above the maximum intended load.

• Avoid the use of a ladder comprising metal components in close proximity to overhead power lines or electrical work.

Some employers mistakenly believe that their workers understand how to use ladders safely. “Improper use” is undoubtedly a cause for many accidents involving ladders, but in many cases, the workers have not been appropriately trained in the use of ladders.

Measures to Avoid Ladder Fall Incidents

• Reviewing job descriptions and circumstances in which ladders are necessary. This is important to ensure that the use of ladders and their presence remains restricted in areas where they are not needed and are unnecessarily lying around, leading to possible injuries.
• In case a ladder is necessary for a particular job, workers should be allowed its use under stringent supervision and control. Measures such as ladder placement on a stable surface and securing it from the top rung or making a person hold it from the sides should be made compulsory.
• Using ladders that are extendable to prevent stretching to reach beyond the worker’s height or leaning over.
• Ladders with defective joints or damaged rungs should be removed from the construction site.
• Urging workers on the site to follow safety measures such as using hard hats and avoiding areas of heavy construction.

Third-Party Liability for Injuries due to Ladder Accidents

In cases where contractors, subcontractors, property owners, suppliers, ladder manufacturers, or another party causes or contributes to a ladder fall, it may lead to third-party personal injury claims.

Example: The ladder manufacturer may be deemed accountable for injuries due to a ladder fall if the ladder’s locking mechanism is faulty. Your attorney should thoroughly investigate to reveal all possible liable parties with the objective of ensuring that you receive the maximum possible compensation for your present as well as future injuries.

Is it possible to identify who was responsible for the damaged ladder?

An injury victim may not have any idea about who was responsible for the damaged ladder when a defective ladder gives way. But the victim may not have to prove that any one individual was negligent under premises liability or product liability claims.

Under strict liability for defective products, the injury victim can file a claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the defective product.

Manufacturers and Sellers of Ladders

If an injury occurs due to a faulty ladder, the victim may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, or retail seller of the ladder. The injury victim has to prove the below in a product liability case that involves a ladder:

• The defendant was involved in the production, distribution, or sale of the ladder
• The ladder had a design, production, or warning defect when it left the possession of the defendant
• The victim sustained harm
• The fault in the ladder was a significant reason for the victim’s injury

Contact Our Ladder Accident Lawyers in New York City

While not all types of ladder accidents at construction sites in New York are preventable, employers can put vital measures in place to avoid these types of falls as far as possible. Ladder injury victims that suffer due to the negligence of an employer or third party may have a strong personal injury claim.

The highly knowledgeable and experienced staff at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP have represented ladder accident victims in New York for years, and have recovered maximum damages.

We can assist you in filing and pursuing a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the parties that are responsible and make sure that you receive fair compensation for your ladder fall injury as well as other losses that you sustained due to your accident. Reach out to our New York City ladder accident attorneys today at 212-344-1000 or contact us online.