Have you, or a loved one been involved in a Scaffolding Accident as a result of someone else’s negligence?

Scaffolding is widely used across the UK as a temporary structure, to gain access to heights and areas that would be otherwise difficult to get to. It is used in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings and bridges and if constructed properly is much safer and more effective than a ladder. Unsafe scaffolding however is extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury or even death.

In fact, the majority of workplace deaths are due to falls from height, which makes working on scaffolding one of the most dangerous workplace activities in the country.

Scaffolding does not just pose a risk to those people working on it though. It can also pose a danger to others working, or walking underneath it, especially if poorly constructed.

Under the Health & Safety at work Act 1974 Employers have a legal obligation to ensure any scaffolding structure they are responsible for is properly constructed and that it is inspected regularly to make sure it has not been altered or weakened by bad weather.

If you, or a loved one has been seriously injured, or worse, as a result of a scaffolding accident and you believe poor construction, maintenance, or misuse was to blame, then you should seek legal advice regarding financial compensation. Contact one of our expert Accidents at Work Solicitors in Manchester today for a free, initial consultation.

We will advise you with a high degree of certainty whether there is in fact a legal case to be answered and whether your specific case has a high chance of success.

At Sheldon Davidson we pride ourselves first and foremost on our personal and compassionate approach. We recognise that even making that first call can be extremely daunting and then the prospect of a full-blown legal case can seem too stressful at what is already an extremely traumatic time. Rest assured that we are experts in our field and from the outset we will make you feel at ease.

As far as possible, if you should choose Sheldon Davidson to represent you we will work hard to shelter you from the legal side of things. We will act on your behalf and ensure your voice is heard and justice is done.

We are the go-to personal injury experts for the Greater Manchester area and we have many years of experience and a track record of success that speaks for itself. Make that call today and let us fight your corner all the way.

Types of injury sustained in Scaffolding Accidents

Due to the fact that scaffolding involves working at height, the tiniest mistake can have grave consequences. For this reason, employers and contractors do take the risks very seriously and every step is taken to safeguard against accident and injury. However, mistakes do happen and unfortunately accidents also happen. The most common types of injuries sustained as a result of a scaffolding accident include:

Slips, trips and falls on the scaffolding board
Fractures to arms, legs, back and neck as a result of a fall from height
Being struck by falling objects, such as tools or debris
Electrocution and burns from powerlines running overhead
Being crushed when scaffolding partially or completely collapses

The above list is not exhaustive, but it provides an indication of the varied types of accident and resulting injuries that can be sustained during scaffolding accidents. Injuries can vary also from minor cuts, bruises and scrapes to serious fractures, head and brain injuries and in the worst case death.

Making a claim for a Scaffolding Accident

Obviously to build a solid compensation claim for any type of workplace accident there needs to be evidence that someone acted negligently i.e. a liable party. This will eventually be the party deemed liable to pay the damages by the court. In terms of scaffolding accidents, it is necessary to prove that either the structure was defective when it was erected, or that the structure was not properly maintained or inspected as per safety regulations, or that working practices were not adequate so as to ensure the safety of all workers at all times. The types of evidence that could be used in building and strengthening such a claim could be:

Photographic evidence of the accident site
Photographic evidence of the scaffolding structure
Photographic evidence of the injuries sustained
Any CCTV evidence if available
Witness testimony
Testimonies from workers regarding:
- common working practices
- approach to Health and Safety regulations
- proper training provision
- working at height regulations
- whether PPE regulations were enforced on the site

The above list is for guidance only and is in no way exhaustive. Our team of experts will work closely with you to build the evidence required to maximise the chances of success and also the resulting financial compensation award.

How much can I claim for a Scaffolding Accident?

Since the circumstances of every accident are unique it is not possible to provide a definitive figure upfront, but our expert team will be able to provide some guidance on the sums awarded for similar cases. When awarding financial compensation, the court considers two types of damages:

General Damages: this sum is awarded for pain, suffering and the impact on the injured person’s everyday life looking into the future, such as being unable to pursue hobbies once enjoyed, or being able to return to a career they have worked hard to build.

Special Damages: this sum is awarded for out of pocket expenses and is therefore much easier to calculate. It is intended to reimburse the injured person for things such as medical costs, loss of earnings, adaptations to the home etc. It is largely intended to put the injured person and their family back in the financial position they would have been in, had the accident not occurred.

In choosing Sheldon Davidson to act on your behalf you can be confident that we will fight with all our legal might to secure the highest sum possible for the injuries and suffering sustained.

Call us today for that free, initial consultation and start the process to get the justice you deserve.