Atlanta
Ladder Fall Accident Lawyer

Falls are the most common on-the-job injury. In fact, 81 percent of construction worker falls are from a ladder, according to government statistics. The chances of your falling from a ladder increase with your age, which means the longer you work, the more likely you are to fall off a ladder. Sadly, many of these accidents are caused by someone else’s negligence. Our ladder fall accident attorneys can help you get the help you need to recover your injuries.

You only get one chance to be compensated for a devastating work injury. We strongly advise you to get legal advice before you make any decisions. Give our attorneys at John Foy & Associates a call at 404-400-4000.

What should I do if I or a loved one has been injured in a ladder accident?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a ladder accident, it’s important to take a few quick steps. First, get as much information as possible about the accident. What time of day? What were the circumstances? Did it happen on the job? Were there witnesses? If there were witnesses, get the name and telephone numbers of as many as you can. Construction sites tend to have transient work forces, many workers are contractors who quickly move onto the next job.

Do not make a recorded statement to anyone, including your supervisor and insurance representative. We want you to be honest about the incident, but you should have legal advice before you have a taped conversation with anyone.

Our attorneys at John Foy & Associates at 404-400-4000 can help protect your chances of recovery.

Do I need a personal injury accident attorney for a ladder fall?

Many work accident claims are workers compensation cases. In Georgia, you are eligible for workers compensation from the first day at work. However, some cases are also eligible for personal injury recoveries, especially when there is a third-party such as a manufacturer or other company that is responsible for the injury.

Fortunately, the attorneys at John Foy & Associates have experience in both fields and can help you maneuver these systems. Give us a call at 404-400-4000.

What are common injuries from a ladder or scaffolding injury?

The higher up the ladder you are, the more chances your injury will be serious or fatal. A study by the Centers for Disease Control states that head injuries are responsible for 49 percent of fatalities from falls.

Traumatic brain injuries—These injuries are often life altering with long-term or permanent changes to a person’s abilities and personality.

Spinal cord injuries, back and torso injuries—Serious spinal cord injuries can be devastating and unbelievably costly, more than a million dollars initially and almost $185,000 each year after.

Broken bones, especially to the legs, feet, arms and hands—A construction worker is only as good as his tools and his body is one of the most important tools.

Multiple body injuries

Electrocution—Aside from the burns commonly associated with electrocution, you may also suffer from cardiac arrest or muscle or tissue damage.

Death—In the case of a death, appropriate family members and loved ones may be eligible for compensation through a wrongful death claim.

What are the statistics for ladder falls?

Each year, there are some 300 deaths and 164,000 emergency room visits resulting from falls from ladders. Of these falls, 36 fatalities and 24,882 injuries are from construction work alone, cited the Dept. of Labor.

Most falls from ladders, in fact 90% happen at heights 16 feet and below, according to the same CDC report. Men and Hispanics are injured more often than women and non-Hispanics. And self-employed workers are more inclined to die from their falls. Construction and extraction (such as mining) occupations have the highest fatal and non-fatal rates for ladder fall accidents. Most ladder deaths occur when someone falls 10 feet or less.

What are the main causes of ladder fall accidents at work?

The Dept. of Labor did an in-depth study of ladder falls and published these stunning facts:

• 66% of those injured were not properly trained how to inspect the ladder for defects before using.
• 19% of ladders had one or more defects
• 61% of ladders were not secured or braced at the top
• 53 % of ladders were not secured or braced at the bottom
• 53% of ladders broke during the accident.
• 39% of ladders were not properly extended three feet above the standing level.

I fell off a ladder and was injured at home. What can I do?

If you fell off a ladder at home, your homeowner’s insurance carrier should cover your injuries. However, we urge anyone not to talk to any insurance carrier, including your own, before talking with a personal injury attorney. Your insurance agent may be a great guy, but the company itself is a large multi-billion entity that is protected by a cadre of in-house attorneys. Do NOT agree to any recorded call with anyone until you talk to an attorney.

We urge to call John Foy & Associates at 404-400-4000 for a free consultation.

My ladder fall injury happened at work. What should I do?

Any injury at work in the state of Georgia is protected under workers compensation law. It doesn’t matter who is at fault, the system is set up to pay for your medical bills, including physical therapy and medicines, as well as pay a small stipend until you’re able to get to work.

You have 30 days to alert your workplace that you have been injured on the job. If you told a coworker or supervisor, they should have already alerted you manager. Do not give a recorded interview with anyone until you have contacted an attorney. This may be your first workers compensation claim, so understand that you are going up against insurance companies and attorneys who do this for a living.

Contact a ladder falls accident attorney at John Foy & Associates for a free consultation. We’re at 404-400-4000.

What is a workers compensation case? And do I have a worker’s compensation or a personal injury case?

We urge you to seek out legal help for any claim. Your claim against your employer is a workers compensation case. But if there is a third party, such as a sub-contractor or ladder manufacturer, responsible for your accident, you may have a personal injury claim.

You have up to two years to file a personal injury claim in most cases, but there are shorter time limits in certain circumstances. That’s why we urge you to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

My loved one fell off of a ladder at work and was injured. Can I help him with his case?

Sadly, when a construction worker is injured, the family is often vaulted into financial jeopardy, if not bankruptcy. You need robust health to work construction. Fortunately, you do not need to pay a retainer to file either a personal injury or workers compensation claim.  No personal injury attorney should charge you anything. Our fees come from the settlement. Any attorney who asks you for a retainer is acting in an unprofessional and unethical manner.

How can John Foy & Associates help me with a ladder accident injury?

John Foy & Associates is one of Atlanta’s most respected personal injury firms. We have built a stellar reputation by doing what is right and ethical for our clients over the last 20 years. In fact, we have an AVVO rating of “excellent.”

Our 20-plus attorneys have many areas of expertise, including construction accident injuries. We also have many partners in the medical field who can help you get the necessary medical treatment while we work on a settlement.

Give us a call at 404-400-4000–someone will answer the phone any time of day, any day of the year. Your consultation will be free and confidential.