Scaffolding is a necessary part of many construction and maintenance projects, offering workers a platform to reach elevated workspaces. While scaffolding increases efficiency, it also presents significant safety hazards.
Accidents involving scaffolds often result in serious injuries, many of which require long recovery periods and, in some cases, lead to permanent disability. When safety measures fail, or equipment is poorly maintained, workers face risks that go far beyond a few bumps and bruises.
Scaffolding accidents are often preventable, making the consequences even more frustrating for victims injured due to someone else’s oversight or negligence.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Falls are the most common cause of injury in scaffolding accidents. When a worker falls from a height, even a short distance, it can lead to devastating results. One of the most serious consequences of a fall is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI typically results from a direct blow to the head or violent motion during a fall.
The symptoms can vary depending on the severity, ranging from concussions and memory issues to long-term cognitive impairments.
Often, brain injuries will have delayed symptoms, which makes early medical evaluation critical. Even a mild TBI can affect concentration, mood, and balance.
For those who suffer more severe injuries, the road to recovery can involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, and significant lifestyle adjustments.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Falls from scaffolding also risk spinal cord injury. A hard landing or direct impact to the back can fracture vertebrae or compress spinal discs. In the worst cases, the injury may damage the spinal cord itself, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis. The level and extent of the paralysis often depend on the location of the injury along the spine.
Even without full paralysis, a spinal cord injury can cause chronic pain, nerve damage, and reduced mobility. Workers who suffer this trauma may face permanent disability, which can end their careers and require lifelong medical care.
Broken Bones and Fractures
One of the most common injuries in scaffolding accidents is broken bones.
The nature of these breaks can vary widely, from hairline fractures to compound fractures that break through the skin. Arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones are particularly vulnerable when a worker falls or becomes trapped under collapsed scaffolding.
Recovering from fractures can take weeks or even months. Some breaks require surgery and hardware like pins, plates, or screws to stabilize the bone.
In many cases, physical therapy follows the healing process to rebuild strength and mobility.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage
Internal injuries can occur when a worker falls or is struck by falling objects on a scaffold. The force of the impact may not leave visible signs, but it can cause serious internal bleeding or organ damage.
Life-threatening injuries to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or spleen will require immediate medical intervention. These often present with subtle symptoms such as dizziness, abdominal pain, or shortness of breath. Without prompt treatment, internal bleeding can lead to shock or death.
Because these injuries aren’t always obvious right away, it’s important for anyone involved in a scaffolding accident to be seen by a medical professional as quickly as possible.
Cuts and Soft Tissue Damage
Falling or scraping against metal edges, bolts, or debris can cause deep cuts and abrasions.
While some lacerations may be superficial, others can sever tendons, muscles, or nerves. Serious cuts might require stitches, surgery, or reconstructive procedures to repair damaged tissue.
Soft tissue injuries also include sprains, strains, and bruising. These injuries may seem minor at first but can develop into chronic pain conditions if not treated properly. Workers often dismiss these injuries, trying to work through the pain, which can make recovery longer and more difficult.
Crush Injuries and Amputations
Although less common, some scaffolding accidents involve structural collapse. Workers may become pinned or crushed when a scaffold gives way or falls into another structure. These situations often result in severe trauma to limbs and extremities. Crush injuries can result in compartment syndrome, which is a condition where pressure builds up in the muscles and restricts the flow of blood. This can require emergency surgery to prevent further damage.
In extreme cases, a crushed limb may be too damaged to save, resulting in surgical amputation. Amputations are life-altering injuries that impact every aspect of a person’s personal and professional life.
What Are the Psychological Impact of Scaffolding Accidents?
The physical toll of a scaffolding accident is clear, but the psychological damage can be just as significant.
Workers who survive a serious fall or collapse can develop severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. Returning to work, especially on elevated platforms, can trigger fear and hesitation.
The stress of being unable to work, snowballing medical bills, and an uncertain recovery also add emotional strain. Counseling and therapy may become part of the recovery process, particularly for those whose injuries permanently alter their lifestyle.
When Does Negligence Play a Role in Scaffolding Injuries?
Many scaffolding accidents are traced back to preventable causes like poor maintenance, lack of safety equipment, improper assembly, or inadequate training. Employers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers all have responsibilities to keep workers safe. Injured workers may have the right to pursue compensation beyond what workers’ compensation provides when they fail in those duties.
Legal claims can help cover work injury expenses that workers’ compensation doesn’t fully address, such as long-term disability, future medical needs, and pain and suffering.
If a third party, like a subcontractor or equipment maker, contributed to the accident, a personal injury lawsuit may be an option.
Scaffolding accidents often lead to far more serious damage than just minor cuts or bruises. They can result in catastrophic injuries that affect every part of a person’s life.
Whether it’s a broken bone or a life-altering spinal injury, you deserve the support and resources to heal and rebuild. Understanding the types of injuries common to these accidents is the first step toward taking legal and medical action.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a scaffolding incident, reaching out to an attorney at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, who has experience in construction site injuries, can help you safeguard your rights and get the compensation you need for recovery.