Liability: Falling from a ladder work

A major cause of injury and death is something that happens all the time: Falling. Particularly from a great height. This may be no surprise, but falling from a height – such as from the top of a ladder – significantly increases the likelihood of sustaining severe injuries like broken bones, paralysis, concussions, and even death. Unfortunately, certain jobs require working high above the ground. Even though there are supposed to be a number of safety precautions in place, they’re not always followed, which can lead to the worker falling and suffering serious injuries. When such accidents happen, establishing liability is essential. Under workers’ compensation, employees are not allowed to sue their employers, as they are directly compensated under workers’ compensation regulations. However, sometimes such accidents may be the fault of a third party. 

When A Third Party Is Liable

Even if the fall was due to negligence on the employer’s fault – such as not having the appropriate safety equipment or providing adequate training – injured workers are still unable to sue their employers for damages under workers’ compensation laws. However, sometimes workers fall from ladders due to the negligence of a third party. For example, a ladder may have a defective part that the employer could not have been aware of. Or an outside contractor may have set up the scaffolding improperly. Or a car may have accidentally crashed into the building, causing the worker to fall. At Tapalian Law, we help injured workers hold negligent third parties responsible and recover additional damages for injuries incurred. Damages we can get help you recover include:

• Mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of activities the worker is no longer able to take part in
• Pain and suffering

Since Rhode Island is a pure comparative negligence state, even if the worker was partially liable for their injuries, they may still recover a percentage of compensation correlating to how much they are found to be at fault. This means that even if you were found to be 25% responsible for your fall, you can still recover 75% of the damages the court awards you from the negligent third party. 

Insurance Companies Aren’t On Your Side – We Are

Insurance companies for such third parties are always trying to pay out as little as possible. Establishing liability and negligence requires investigation and evidence, which we will take care of. Our experienced legal team will investigate the incident, gather all necessary evidence, build your case, and give injured workers the best chance of recovering damages in court if insurers don’t want to settle. Insurance companies will have a team of lawyers on retainer to avoid paying out the compensation you deserve, so you need someone to fight for your side.

Contact Us Today

Insurance companies will have a team of lawyers on retainer to avoid paying out the compensation you deserve, so you need someone to fight for your side. If you or somebody you love was injured at work due to third party negligence, call Tapalian Law to schedule a consultation with a top Rhode Island workplace injury attorney today.