Common injuries that result from falls from ladders and scaffolding
Injuries involving falls from ladders and scaffolding are often severe and require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
The most common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Sprains and strains
- Cuts and abrasions
- Dislocated joints
- Bruises and contusions
- Internal injuries
- Death
Ladder accident statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 500,000 people are treated for ladder-related injuries in the U.S. every year. These accidents cost an estimated $24 billion annually and result in a number of injuries and illnesses.
Falls from heights frequently lead to head and neck injuries, spinal cord trauma, paralysis, and more. In the most serious cases, people can die from ladder falls. In fact, there are more than 300 ladder-related fatalities each year.
Many ladder injuries happen on the job. Statistically speaking, roofers are the most likely to experience them; they make up 46% of fatal falls in the entire construction industry, according to the CDC. However, many types of workers can suffer from these working-at-height accidents.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 161 ladder deaths at work in 2020. There were also 22,710 nonfatal ladder injuries.
Workers’ compensation for ladder injuries in North Carolina
North Carolina has a robust system in place for workers’ compensation. If you don’t already know, workers’ comp is a special type of insurance purchased by employers for the sake of injured employees.
A worker doesn’t have to prove anyone was at fault for their accident to get compensation. In fact, in most cases, a worker is entitled to compensation even if they caused the accident that led to their injury.
By law, any business in North Carolina that employs 3 or more people must have workers’ comp insurance. However, there can be exceptions in certain industries, such as agriculture, logging operations, and domestic housekeeping.
There’s also an exception for independent contractors. If you’re an independent contractor, you’re considered self-employed, not employed by a business. This means that you aren’t eligible for workers’ compensation. However, you might still be able to file a personal injury lawsuit if someone else’s negligence was the cause of your injury.
Types of compensation available through North Carolina workers’ comp
There are 3 broad categories of workers’ comp benefits:
- Medical benefits (hospital bills, surgeries, medications, assistive devices, rehabilitation therapy, etc.)
- Lost wages or disability benefits up to two-thirds of your average income
- Death benefits paid out to the immediate family, including funeral expenses and lost income replacement
Compensation laws can be rather complicated. For example, there are multiple classifications for disabilities that include “partial” vs “total” and “temporary” vs “permanent.” Your classification will determine the amount of disability that you receive.
An attorney can help estimate your potential benefits to ensure you don’t accept a “lowball offer” that’s insufficient to cover your future medical and financial needs.
Steps for filing a workers’ comp claim in North Carolina
To get workers’ comp benefits, eligible workers need to take certain steps and adhere to all deadlines.
Here’s the general process for filing a workers’ compensation claim:
- Seek medical attention, and be sure to mention that the accident occurred at work.
- Notify your employer of your injury within 30 days of the accident, preferably in writing.
- File a claim by submitting Form 18 to the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
- Contact a workers’ compensation attorney if your claim is denied or you’re suffering from a serious injury to ensure your rights are protected.
Again, if you have any questions about this process, a workers’ compensation attorney can be invaluable in your case. They can help you extend deadlines, figure out which documents to fill out, and maximize your potential benefits. They can also help if you’ve been misclassified as an independent contractor and not an employee.
Don’t hesitate to contact our firm with questions about your case. We offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
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