Maryland Attorney for Falls from Heights at Work
Every year, thousands of workers are injured or killed in accidental falls from heights. If you or your spouse fell on the job in Maryland, financial compensation may be available for you and your family. Depending on the situation, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, or could have a case against the parties whose negligence led to the fall. For example, if your fall was caused by a defective safety harness, the product’s manufacturer could be liable for your injuries.
You should talk to an experienced Maryland lawyer for workplace falls from heights, like Randolph Rice, who can help you understand and explore your legal options. As an injured worker or the victim of negligence, you deserve answers. We’re here to help you find them. For a free legal consultation about a workplace fall in Maryland and whether you might have a claim, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras online, or call (410) 694-7291 for 24/7 assistance.
Construction Worker Falls + Fatalities Statistics
Certain types of workers are at increased risk of falling from heights on the job, including roofers, cell tower technicians, wind turbine technicians, window cleaners, steel workers, and arborists. Construction workers may be at the greatest risk of all, with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reporting that falls were the number one leading cause of death in the construction industry during 2018. That year, fatal falls were responsible for the deaths of over 330 out of 1,008 construction workers (33.5%), compared to 112 deaths caused by impacts with objects (11.1%), 86 deaths caused by electrocution (8.5%), and 55 deaths caused by accidents where workers were caught in or between machinery (5.5%). These figures show how deadly falls from heights can be for construction workers, even with improvements in modern workplace safety technologies.
Common Types of Fall-Related Injuries in Maryland
Falls can cause catastrophic, potentially fatal injuries, even from surprisingly low heights. According to medical experts interviewed by USA Today, the risk of serious injury increases at heights above 30 feet. At this distance, doctors say, there is an increased likelihood of damage to vital organs, including the lungs, spleen, and liver. Broken ribs (rib fractures) are also common, depending on how the victim falls.
Workers who fall straight down are likely to break their legs, ankles, or bones in their feet. If the worker tries to break his or her fall, wrist fractures or broken arms can result. Along with organ damage and internal bleeding, two of the most serious risks are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can be fatal or permanently disabling, and neck or spinal cord injuries (SCIs), which can cause paralysis. Randolph Rice assists workplace fall victims with all types of workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, including those involving:
- Back injuries
- Bone fractures
- Cuts and bruises
- Foot injuries
- Hand injuries
- Head injuries
- Internal injuries
- Joint injuries (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles)
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
How Do You Get Compensated for a Workplace Fall in Maryland?
If you suffered a work-related injury caused by an accidental fall, you may be able to recover compensation in several ways. One way is to file for workers’ compensation benefits, which most employers in Maryland are required to offer in the event of an accidental workplace injury. If your claim is denied, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you fight by filing an appeal. Another way to pursue accident compensation is to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are several important issues to keep in mind. For example, if you receive workers’ compensation benefits, you may lose your ability to sue your employer for negligence.
Another factor to consider is how the injury occurred. If the injury was caused by the negligence of a third party, such as the manufacturer of defective safety equipment, you may be able to sue the third party while still obtaining workers’ comp.
Requirements for proving fault are another factor to think about. Unlike a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit requires you, as the accident victim, to show how the defendant’s negligence led to your injuries. In a workers’ compensation case, there is no need to prove that work-related injuries resulted from employer negligence.
There are many variables you should take into consideration when deciding how to handle a workplace injury. An experienced Maryland attorney for workplace falls from heights, like Randolph Rice, can help you make a strategic decision about the most effective route.
Maryland Lawyer for Falls from Heights at Work
If you were injured after falling at work in Maryland, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, including medications, surgeries, hospitalizations, physical therapy, and other treatments you require for your injuries. You may also be able to get compensated for lost wages, diminished earning ability, pain and suffering, and other losses. For a free legal consultation, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291, or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
