Ladder Accidents

Ladders are great tools for climbing to hard to reach places, but can be extremely dangerous. In the United States, 20% of fall accidents involve a ladder, but on construction sites, ladders are involved in 81% of fall accidents.

How Does a Ladder Accident Occur?

Ladders come in all shapes and sizes, and as a result have their own unique possibilities for failure. Even when used correctly, a defective ladder can lead to serious injury. Poor quality metal and construction can lead to rungs breaking and falling out from underneath people. Sometimes locking mechanisms can break, which can cause the structure to collapse while the user is on it.

Other common ladder defects include:

• Loose or missing rungs
• Damaged or worn non slip feet
• Rot, decay or warped rails in wooden ladders
• Cracks, or exposed fiberglass in fiberglass ladders
• Twisted or distorted rails
• Rough or splintered surfaces

Ladder Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries, Even Death

The Werner ladder company recently settled a lawsuit for 7 million dollars after a woman fell from a ladder and was paralyzed from the neck down. Although most aren’t this serious, ladder accidents result in 200,000 emergency room visits, in addition to 300 deaths each year. Some of the more serious possible injuries include:

– Broken or fractured bones
– Concussions
– Chronic Pain
– Spinal Damage
– Head or brain trauma

Werner Has Had Issues With Safety Before

In 1997, Werner recalled some sliding attic ladders that had been found to be defective. Metal hooks used to secure the ladders in the closed position were installed upside down and caused the ladders to fall without warning. A class action lawsuit settled in 2013 said that ladders contained defective hinges that were prone to shearing and breaking

What Options Do You Have After A Ladder Accident?

Contact an experienced ladder accident attorney as soon as possible at (800) 762-9300. They will help you to determine if negligence occurred, and seek compensation on the victim’s behalf. You can also simply fill out one of our case intake forms and we will have one of our attorneys get right back to you.