Some ladder accidents are simply the result of user error and a lack of knowledge of how to use a ladder properly, but ladder accidents can be the result of negligence or a defective ladder. When either are the case, you may be able to recover full compensation for your injuries, or the death of a loved one. Ladder accident injuries can be permanently debilitating or fatal. If you believe you may have a claim, talk to and experienced injury attorney right away.
Types of Ladder Accidents
The first things that come to mind when thinking of ladder accidents is someone falling off a ladder from a height or the entire ladder tipping over, but there are many types of ladder accidents, including those involving electricity or ladders which fail. Examples of ladder accidents include:
- Contact with electrical lines causing electric shock or electrocution
- Tools, materials, or other items falling from ladder and hitting people below
- Slip or trip and fall from ladder
- Falls when trying to enter ladder from a building
- Broken ladder rung
- Ladder collapse
- Ladder tipping over
- Ladder sinking
- Vehicle or heavy equipment hitting ladder
- Falls into toxic substances or filthy areas causing chemical burns or severe infection
Common Causes of Ladder Accidents
Common causes of ladder accidents include:
- Failure to inspect ladder before use
- Ladder placed too close to electric lines
- Ladder not properly secured
- Ladder placed on slippery, uneven, soft or unstable surfaces
- Overextended ladder
- The wrong type, size, or strength ladder for the purpose
- Inexperienced or undertrained workers using ladder
- Improper use or poor practices while using ladder
- Unsafe practices by others around ladder
- Slippery ladder surfaces
- Old or worn-out ladder
- Defective ladder
Ladder Accident Injury Liability
Liability for ladder accident injuries depends on many factors. Where were you using the ladder? Was it for work or personal use? Was the ladder defective? Did someone else cause your accident by knocking your ladder over or some other behavior? Were you injured as a bystander by something falling off of a ladder or a ladder falling onto you? Examples of who may be held liable for ladder accidents include:
- Property or business owner
- Ladder manufacturer or seller
- Ladder rental company
- Company responsible for use of the ladder
- Company responsible for work near or around the ladder
- Others near-by who caused the accident, such as a delivery driver
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