Ladder Fall Lawyer in Massachusetts

Ladder Falls in Massachusetts

Falls from ladders are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the construction industry and in many other occupational settings. They also occur outside the workplace when homeowners and others use ladders for maintenance tasks. When a ladder fall is caused by a defective ladder, inadequate training, OSHA safety violations, or hazardous conditions created by another party, the victim may have both workers’ compensation claims and additional personal injury claims. Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey represents ladder fall victims throughout Massachusetts.

Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Claims

Ladder falls at work are covered by Massachusetts workers’ compensation, providing medical benefits and wage replacement. However, when the fall was caused by a defective ladder, by a third-party contractor’s conduct, or by a property condition controlled by a party other than the direct employer, significant additional third-party recovery may be available. Third-party personal injury claims can recover pain and suffering, which workers’ compensation does not provide. Attorney Lavey evaluates every ladder fall for third-party liability.

OSHA Ladder Safety Requirements

OSHA establishes specific requirements for ladder selection, inspection, and use in workplace settings: proper angle placement (four-to-one ratio), securing the top and base, ensuring adequate load ratings for the intended use, maintaining three points of contact during climbing, and prohibiting the use of damaged ladders. When OSHA violations contribute to a ladder fall, they are evidence of negligence. Attorney Lavey reviews OSHA compliance in every workplace ladder fall case.

Defective Ladder Product Liability

When a ladder fails structurally, a rung breaks, a side rail cracks, a locking mechanism fails, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer may be liable for product defect under Massachusetts product liability law. It is essential to preserve the ladder and prevent repair before it can be inspected by a mechanical engineering expert. Attorney Lavey arranges expert inspection immediately in every case where a structural ladder failure is suspected.

Injuries Common in Ladder Falls

Falls from ladders cause injuries proportional to the height of the fall and the landing surface. Common ladder fall injuries include traumatic brain injuries from head strikes, spinal cord injuries from axial loading in vertical falls, multiple long bone fractures, pelvis and hip fractures, and in falls from significant height, fatal multi-system trauma. Attorney Lavey works with medical experts to document the full severity and long-term consequences of every ladder fall injury.

Frequently Asked Questions