Falls from Heights
Holding Employers Accountable for Unsafe Work Conditions
Falls from scaffolding or ladders are among the most common—and preventable—workplace accidents. These incidents often result in serious injuries, including broken bones, spinal damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Whether on a construction site, in a warehouse, or performing maintenance work, employees who work at elevated heights face daily risks.
Employers have a legal obligation to ensure that scaffolding and ladders are properly maintained, securely installed, and that workers are trained in their safe use. When they fail to meet these responsibilities, injured workers have the right to pursue legal action.
Why Workplace Accidents Happen
Falls from heights typically occur due to a combination of unsafe equipment and poor safety practices.
In many cases, these accidents are entirely preventable. When employers cut corners to save time or money, they put their workers at risk. Even a single oversight—like failing to inspect a ladder or secure a scaffold—can result in catastrophic injuries.
Common causes include:
- Faulty or unstable scaffolding
- Improper ladder placement or use
- Lack of fall protection gear such as harnesses or guardrails
- Slippery or uneven surfaces
- Inadequate supervision or training
- Failure to follow OSHA safety standards
Injuries from Falls
Falls from scaffolding or ladders can cause a wide range of serious injuries, including:
- Fractures and dislocations
- Head trauma and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Permanent disability or death
These injuries often require emergency medical care, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation. Victims may be unable to return to work for months—or ever. The physical pain is compounded by emotional distress and financial strain from lost wages and mounting medical bills.
Legal Rights After a Fall
If you’ve been injured in a fall at work, you may be entitled to compensation through several legal avenues.
Workers’ Compensation
Covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, regardless of fault.
Personal Injury Claims
If employer negligence or safety violations contributed to the accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit for additional damages.
Third-Party Claims
If defective equipment or a subcontractor’s actions caused the fall, you may have a claim against those parties.
Our workplace accident attorneys will evaluate your case, identify all liable parties, and pursue the maximum compensation available under Nevada law.
How Our Workplace Accident Lawyers Help
Proving liability in a fall-from-height case requires a thorough investigation and strategic legal action. Our team will:
- Investigate the workplace accident scene and equipment involved
- Review safety protocols, training records, and OSHA compliance
- Interview witnesses and coworkers
- Work with medical and engineering experts to document injuries and equipment failure
- Negotiate with insurance companies and litigate if necessary
Steps to Take After a Fall
If you’ve been injured in a fall from scaffolding or a ladder, take these steps immediately
- Seek medical treatment to address injuries and document your condition.
- Report the accident to your employer and request a written incident report.
- Document the scene with photos of the equipment, location, and any visible hazards.
- Collect witness information from coworkers or supervisors who saw the incident.
- Contact a workplace accident attorney to protect your rights and begin building your case.
Prompt action helps preserve critical evidence and strengthens your claim. Waiting too long can make it harder to prove negligence or secure fair compensation.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve
Falls from scaffolding or ladders can change your life in an instant. You shouldn’t have to bear the consequences of someone else’s negligence alone. Our experienced workplace accident attorneys are here to fight for your rights, hold employers accountable, and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you take the next step toward justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
OSHA regulations require employers to provide fall protection at heights of 6 feet or more in construction, ensure scaffolding is designed by a qualified person and capable of supporting four times its intended load, inspect scaffolding before each work shift, provide guardrails, midrails, and toeboards on scaffolds, ensure ladders extend at least 3 feet above landing surfaces, and train workers on proper scaffold and ladder use. Violations of these OSHA fall protection standards can establish negligence in your scaffolding or ladder fall injury case.
Multiple parties may be liable for scaffolding and ladder fall injuries including your employer for OSHA violations through workers’ comp, general contractors responsible for overall site safety, scaffolding companies that provided defective equipment, property owners who knew of hazardous conditions, equipment manufacturers for defective ladders or scaffolding, and subcontractors whose negligence contributed to the fall. Our construction accident attorneys investigate all potential defendants to maximize your recovery.
Scaffolding and ladder falls often cause severe injuries including traumatic brain injuries from head impacts, spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis, multiple bone fractures requiring extensive surgery, internal organ damage, broken hips and pelvis injuries, and in the most severe cases, death. Falls from even moderate heights can be catastrophic. Our workplace accident attorneys handle all scaffolding and ladder fall cases and work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries.