Were you injured in a scaffolding accident and don’t know what to do?
A fall from scaffolding isn’t a paper cut. When the bruises heal, the damage may not. Some injuries remain with you for years – perhaps even for the rest of your life. Many times workers do not realise the extent of their injuries until well down the track.
Here’s the truth:
Did you know that scaffold accidents happen much more often than you may realize? Every year, approximately 60 deaths and 4,500 injuries occur as a result of a scaffold accident, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That means hundreds of workers every year are forced to deal with pain, loss of income, and a lengthy recovery period.
When you’ve been injured, the quality of your scaffolding accident, legal representation and health care matters more than you may realize. The sooner you know about your injuries and your rights, the better your odds of protecting your health and your future. If you were injured on a job site, filing a scaffolding accident claim in New York City can help you cover long term costs and get back on your feet.
Let’s break it all down…
Table of Contents
In this guide:
- How Scaffolding Injuries Affect You Long-Term
- The Most Common Lasting Health Effects
- Why Legal Help Matters After a Scaffolding Accident
- Steps To Take To Protect Your Health & Claim
How Scaffolding Injuries Affect You Long-Term
The general assumption with a scaffolding injury is that it’s something that happens once. You fall, you heal, and you get on with life.
But that’s rarely how it works.
Many injuries suffered in scaffolding accidents result in long-term problems. Workers are sometimes plagued by chronic pain. Some victims can no longer return to their previous position. And the medical expenses continue to mount long after the accident occurs.
Why does this happen?
Falls from height exert an enormous amount of force onto your body. Even falls from several feet can inflict serious internal injuries. Falls from scaffolds can be even more violent because 72% of injured workers cited planking/support giving way (or slipping) as the reason for the accident. When your body experiences a force like that, the damage can be severe.
The Most Common Lasting Health Effects
Injuries from scaffolding accidents range from mild to severe. Some injuries resolve quickly. Many others impact you for life. Below are the most common lifelong injuries workers sustain from falls off scaffolding.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Getting hit in the head when you fall can cause a traumatic brain injury or TBI for short. TBIs are among the most severe injuries you can sustain.
Why is it so dangerous?
Symptoms may not appear immediately. Some employees feel well for several days before symptoms develop. Traumatic Brain Injury may lead to:
- Memory loss
- Trouble concentrating
- Mood changes
- Headaches and dizziness
And here’s another thing… Did you know that the likelihood of suffering a traumatic brain injury while working in construction is almost twice as high as any other profession? That’s one of the main reasons why wearing a hardhat while on scaffolding is so important.
Spinal Cord & Back Injuries
A fall from scaffolding can easily damage your spine. These injuries are often permanent.
In severe cases, a spinal cord injury may cause paralysis. Back injuries that are not severe can still result in chronic pain that will never completely disappear. Most workers will suffer through months (or years) of therapy, physical therapy and rehabilitation.
The worst part? There’s often no guarantee the injury will ever heal completely.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is one of the most overlooked long-term effects of a scaffolding injury.
Pain is generally considered to be “chronic” when it persists for more than three months. Chronic pain can be difficult to treat once it develops. Over-the-counter pain medications are often ineffective, and many can lead to dependency with long-term use.
Chronic pain can impact all aspects of your life. It can make it difficult to sleep, difficult to work, and difficult to enjoy even the simplest pleasures.
Mental Health Effects
This is something a lot of people forget about…
A severe scaffolding accident can damage more than just your physical well-being. It can take a toll on your mental health. Countless injured workers have suffered from:
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Dealing with these issues can only make it more difficult to get back to work and normal life. That is why mental health should always be included in your recovery.
Why Legal Help Matters After a Scaffolding Accident
Now let’s talk about the legal side of things.
Recovering from serious injuries takes time. And when injuries require long-term recovery, expenses can quickly mount. Medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation and future medical treatment can create financial hardships.
Here’s the problem:
Insurance companies and employers may not want to pay you everything that you deserve. They may low-ball you with a quick settlement that only covers your immediate expenses – not years of future care. You need an attorney who will fight for you. When it comes to scaffolding accidents, your attorney should:
- Calculate your true costs: This includes future medical care, not just today’s bills.
- Establish liability: Defective tools, improper training or lack of safety equipment all count.
- Fight for fair compensation: So you’re not left covering costs you didn’t cause.
Think about it…
If you’re injured and unable to work for years, your settlement should take that into account. This concept is referred to as “loss of earning capacity”. It’s a common source of compensation that many workers aren’t aware of.
A lawyer will make sure nothing is overlooked. They will fight for your rights while you recover.
Steps To Take To Protect Your Health & Claim
If you’ve been injured in a scaffolding accident, here’s what you SHOULD do. Follow these steps to protect your health and your legal claim.
- Seek medical treatment immediately. Even if you feel fine, go to the doctor. Keep in mind that there are some injuries such as a TBI that have delayed symptoms.
- Take notes and photos. Photograph the scene, the scaffolding and your injuries. Jot down what happened as soon as possible.
- Report the accident. Inform your employer and ensure that it gets put in writing.
- Save copies of all records. Keep every medical bill, doctor note and receipt associated with your injury.
5. Speak to a lawyer. Get professional advice before you accept any settlement offer.
This final step is crucial. Falls, slips, and trips are responsible for more than 40% of construction deaths – and that just how dangerous these accidents can be. You deserve someone on your side who understands the law.
Final Thoughts
Scaffolding injuries are serious. They can impact your physical health, mental well-being, and your pocket book for years.
The good news?
You are not alone in this fight. Learn about the long-term health consequences and hire an experienced attorney to help protect yourself and your family. Quick recap:
- Scaffolding falls can cause TBIs, spinal injuries, chronic pain, and mental health issues
- Many of these effects last long after the accident
- The costs pile up fast – often more than insurers want to pay
- The right legal representation makes sure you get what you’re truly owed
Don’t wait for your condition to worsen. See a doctor, document your injuries and talk to an attorney who knows how to handle scaffolding injuries. Your health and your future are at stake.
