Long-Term Effects of Ladder Fall Injuries

 Posted on April 14, 2021 in Workplace Injury

One of the essential tools on a construction site is a ladder, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. In fact, ladder falls are one of the leading causes of death for construction workers, with the majority of fatal falls occurring at 10 feet or less. In the past 10 years, the number of victims who have died from ladder falls has tripled. Ladder falls kill more than 300 people in the U.S. each year. Another 164,000 people end up at emergency rooms with injuries.

Victims often suffer serious physical injuries that can have long-lasting or permanent effects, but a recent study found that victims of ladder falls often deal with long-lasting emotional problems as well.

Ladder Fall Study

The study looked at victims who had suffered falls from ladders and were treated at two different hospitals. More than half of the victims were males, and some of the accidents had occurred while the victim was doing chores at their own home and not on a job site. The average hospital stay for these victims was five days. Some of the most common injuries these victims had suffered included:

• Arm fractures
• Collapsed lungs
• Pelvic fractures
• Rib fractures
• Spinal fractures
• Wrist fractures

Approximately 80 percent of the victims who were employed full time when the accident happened were unable to work for at least four months. More than 15 percent of victims were still unable to return to work after six months.

Half of the victims were dealing with a decline in their emotional and mental health at least six months following the fall. Issues included anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. They also suffered long-term or chronic pain.

As part of their study conclusion, the research team recommended that all ladders should have safety features that include extender arms, fasteners, rubber feet, and mandatory stabilizers.

Contact a Larimer County Construction Site Injury Lawyer

At Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., our legal team has extensive experience in ladder fall accidents and other construction site injuries. We know these accidents can be caused by negligence on the part of the employer or even a defect in the design of the ladder. If you have been injured in a fall, one of our dedicated Fort Collins construction site injury attorneys can evaluate your case and determine what type of legal recourse you may have. Call 970-225-2190 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Sources:

https://www.nachi.org/ladder-safety.htm

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-07-06/ladder-injuries-can-go-far-beyond-broken-bones