Construction sites are busy areas, with various workers, machinery and materials constantly moving about. Scaffolding, essential for reaching heights and providing support during construction, can pose significant risks if not properly erected or maintained.
Since scaffolding accidents mainly involve falls from considerable heights, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic. They may include the following.
1. Multiple fractures
Falling from high scaffolding can subject your body to tremendous force upon impact with the ground or other structures. This force often leads to multiple fractures, shattering bones in several places. The pain can be excruciating, and the injuries can leave you immobile and incapacitated for an extended period. Recovering from multiple fractures requires extensive medical intervention, including surgeries, rehabilitation and months of physical therapy.
2. Spinal cord damage
If you fall from high scaffolding and land awkwardly, your spine may absorb the brunt of the impact. This can result in severe spinal cord damage, which can have life-altering consequences. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis, affecting your ability to move and control normal body functions. The loss of sensation and motor function can profoundly affect your independence and quality of life, requiring extensive rehabilitation and adaptive measures to adjust to a new way of living.
3. Traumatic brain injuries
Another debilitating injury that can occur in scaffolding accidents is traumatic brain injury (TBI). When a worker falls from height and strikes their head upon impact, the force can cause severe trauma to the brain. TBIs range from concussions to more severe injuries like skull fractures and intracranial hemorrhages. Recovery from a TBI can be lengthy and unpredictable, with some individuals facing permanent cognitive and physical impairments.
After a catastrophic scaffolding accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to pursue compensation, covering medical bills, lost income and other damages.