Construction workers go through a lot of dangerous and risky situations in the line of duty. From falling objects to scaffolding that has the potential to give way, this is an industry that’s not for the faint of heart.
Falls on a construction site almost always result in catastrophic injuries. Falls from a substantial height often lead to injuries such as broken bones, internal organ damage, spinal cord damage, brain damage, soft tissue injuries, and even death. Luckily, these workers are fitted with safety gear, including safety harnesses and lanyards, which work together to protect a worker from falls at extreme heights.
A lanyard and harness set is a fall protection security blanket which prevents workers from falling while working on a frame or building face (most of the time on scaffolding).
While safety lanyards are great for preventing fall injuries, human error, negligence, and defective materials can render these safety devices ineffective. Failing to train employees on how to properly use a safety harness can lead to lawsuits against the employer. If the lanyard/harness is shown to be defective, the victim may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer.
How Negligence Comes Into Play
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that they inspect all worker equipment on a regular basis to make sure everything is in working order. They are also supposed to offer proper safety training so that workers know how to use these equipment properly, as well as mitigate potential accidents in a timely manner. Failure to do these things may leave them open to legal liability for an accident where someone is injured or killed.
Unfortunately, the legal remedies available to you and your family may vary, depending on the state in which you live. For example, if the victim’s employer subscribes to workers’ compensation insurance, you may only be allowed to file a lawsuit against the employer if gross negligence was involved. The best way to discover the options available to your family is to call a work injury attorney in your area and request a free consultation.
Your attorney will work closely with you to determine what caused your injuries, who was liable for the event, and will collect enough evidence to ensure that you have a solid case going forward.
Given the gravity of these kinds of injuries, you may have a long recovery period ahead of you, or you may be permanently disabled. If the accident was not your fault, why should your family suffer the financial burden?
