Ladder Accidents
Many people use ladders everyday for home projects and at work. They may be used to access an attic, paint a wall, put up holiday decorations, fix a roof, stock shelves at a store, perform lighting repairs, and more. When used appropriately, a ladder can be a useful tool that allows an individual to comfortably work in hard to reach areas. If the ladder is operated improperly or is defective, however, it can cause the operator to lose his or her balance and fall, possibly causing serious injury.
Many ladder accidents occur at private residences where people inexperienced with ladder use may slip and fall. To be used properly, ladders must have all contact points touching the ground. The ladder should be placed on level ground that the bottom of the ladder can grip easily. If the floor surface is slick, the ladder could lose its grip under even the slightest of movements.
Also, anyone using a ladder should take care to not overextend themselves beyond the edge of the ladder. If a person reaches out too far, it will cause the structure to pitch and the bottom of the ladder will slip out from underneath the operator.
Sometimes ladder defects, not operator misuse, cause ladder accidents. The ladder geometry may not have been properly engineered, or the ladder material may not be strong enough to support the weight that it claims to be suitable for. In other cases, people have fallen from ladder steps because they were not properly installed or were made out of cheap materials that could not properly maintain their grip. Any of these defects could cause the user to be put at risk of a fall that could cause head, neck, back, or limb injury.
Contact Us
If you or someone you know has been injured while using a defective ladder, the manufacturer may be liable and you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. For sound legal advice and assistance regarding ladder defects and injury liability, please contact experienced Austin personal injury lawyer Vic Feazell, P.C. today at 877-948-4842.
