Falls from Heights Attorney in Albany, GA

Falls from heights are some of the most dangerous and deadliest types of accidents that occur in the workplace. If you have been injured at work in a fall from a ladder, roof, scaffold, or other height, you need to learn about your right to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can help with treatment of your injuries and provide wage replacement while you’re unable to work.

Unfortunately, the workers’ compensation claims process can be complex, and getting the full benefits you need can be challenging. At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., we have in-depth knowledge of Georgia workers’ compensation laws and a long track record of recovering full benefits for our clients. Our dedicated attorneys will leave no stone unturned as we investigate your case and work to build a strong claim for maximum benefits on your behalf.

Contact us today for a free case review to go over your legal options if you have been injured in a fall at work. We’re here to help.

Common Causes of Falls from Heights at Work

Some of the most frequent causes of falls from height accidents in the workplace include:

• Fragile or unstable elevated surfaces, such as scaffolding, roofs, or platforms, which may collapse under a worker’s weight
• Lack of fall protection, such as fencing or guardrails
• Defective equipment such as ladders, scaffolding, or pulleys
• Negligent installation of scaffolding
• Negligent operation of equipment such as cherry pickers or scissor lifts
• Adverse weather conditions, including rain that can make surfaces slippery or high winds that can knock a worker off heights
• Worker fatigue
• Inadequate training or safety protocols

No matter what caused your fall, you should learn about your legal rights to workers’ compensation.

What Types of Workers Often Suffer Falls from Heights?

Certain occupations and industries require workers to get up on open, exposed heights as part of the job. Examples of professions where workers have some of the highest risks of suffering a fall from a height include:

Types of Injuries in Falls from Heights at Work

Depending on the height of the fall, an accident at work can lead to serious or even life-threatening injuries. Physical injuries can include:

Above a certain height, falls typically prove fatal. But even a fall from a couple of feet can result in serious injuries.

What to Do After a Fall at Work

If you have been injured in a fall at work, you can take steps to protect your right to seek the compensation you need to recover from your injuries:

• Notify your employer of your accident as soon as possible. If you wait more than 30 days to provide your employer with notice that you suffered a work-related injury, you may jeopardize your right to workers’ compensation benefits.
• If possible, take photos of the accident scene, including the area you fell from, the weather and lighting conditions at the time of the accident, and any safety equipment or warning signs.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you require emergency medical treatment, you may see any medical provider you wish. Otherwise, your employer may require you to choose a provider from an approved list to have any treatment covered by workers’ compensation. Follow all treatment recommendations or instructions ─ otherwise your employer might argue that you were not seriously injured and can return to work.
• Keep copies of all medical bills, invoices, and your pay stubs.
• Avoid posting photos or videos of yourself on social media while undergoing treatment for your injuries. Insurers often use accident victims’ social media profiles as evidence that they are not as seriously injured as they claim.

Finally, talk to a workers’ compensation attorney about your legal rights and options. A knowledgeable attorney from our firm can also help you explore whether you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim in addition to seeking workers’ compensation benefits.

When You Might Be Entitled to More Than Workers’ Comp

When you are injured at work, you are typically able to seek workers’ compensation benefits to help pay for your medical treatment and cover a portion of your lost income if you miss time from work. However, workers’ comp does not provide payment for other losses you sustain due to your injuries, such as pain and suffering. Still, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for these losses in a personal injury lawsuit if a third party bears responsibility for your fall.

Examples of situations where you may be entitled to recover more than workers’ compensation benefits after a fall from height at work include:

• An accident caused by negligently erected scaffolding that was put up by a third-party contractor
• An accident caused by defective equipment, such as ladders or scissor lifts
• An accident caused by defective or unsafe conditions at a third-party’s property you were working at
• An accident caused by the careless or reckless actions of someone not associated with your employer

How an Albany Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help

After an injury on the job, let an Albany workers’ compensation attorney help take the stress of you by:

• Investigating the accident to secure evidence that may be used in a workers’ comp claim or a third-party personal injury claim
• Identifying all possible sources of compensation for your injuries
• Managing all communication about your claim with the insurance company and your employer
• Filing a formal workers’ compensation claim on your behalf and/or filing your personal injury claim, if this is an option in your case
• Acting as an aggressive advocate for the full compensation you deserve

Contact the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., today for a free consultation to learn more about how an experienced Albany workers’ compensation attorney can help you. We’ll be by your side every step of the way to help you get your life back after suffering a fall on the job. Call us today or connect with us online.