Defective Ladders

Defective Ladder Accidents Causing Injuries on Construction Worksites Throughout New York

Ladder accidents are a very significant source of construction site injuries and fatalities in New York and nationwide. According to estimates by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 24,882 injuries and as many as 36 fatalities occur each year due to falls on ladders and stairways used in construction. Close to half of these injuries are usually serious enough to require time off the job.

Although ladder accidents can occur for a wide variety of reasons, some of them are caused by ladder defects and flaws. These flaws may occur during the initial manufacturing or design process or as a result of insufficient warning labels. Other ladder accidents are the result of negligent construction site supervisors providing workers with old, damaged ladders instead of new, safer ones. Lastly, ladder accidents most frequently occur when a worker is asked to use a ladder in an improper or unsafe manner, which results in the ladder wobbling, tipping or collapsing, leaving the worker in a defenseless position.

At Block O’Toole & Murphy, we maintain a first-class reputation for successfully representing construction site accident victims and their families. Our New York defective ladder injury attorneys have obtained more than 300 verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million each*. In one case, we obtained a $5.5 million settlement for an electrician who fell from an extension ladder and sustained a head injury. In another case, we obtained a $4.9 million recovery for a Local 3 electrician who was injured in a ladder fall.

OSHA Recommendations for Preventing Ladder Accidents

To help prevent accidents and injuries associated with defective or dangerous ladders, follow these OSHA safety recommendations:

• Use the correct type of ladder for the job.
• Visually inspect the ladder for defects such as:
  • Structural damage, split/bent side rails, broken or missing rungs/steps/cleats and missing or damaged safety devices;
  • Grease, dirt or other materials that could cause slips and falls;
  • Paint or stickers (except warning labels) that could hide possible defects.
• Clearly mark a defective ladder with “Do Not Use” or destroy it immediately.
• Make sure the ladder is long enough to safely reach the work area.
• Never load a ladder beyond the maximum intended load or beyond the manufacturer’s rated capacity.
• Avoid using a ladder with metal parts near electrical work or overhead power lines.

Consult Our Ladder Accident Attorneys Serving New York City and Beyond

If you have been injured in a serious ladder-related accident of any kind, schedule a FREE consultation with the experienced construction injury lawyers at the law firm of Block O’Toole & Murphy. We will gladly review your case and advise you about whether you are eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to your workers’ compensation claim. Call us at 212-736-5300, or contact us online today. Serving Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn and all of New York City and NY State.

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*Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.