If you have been injured in a fall from a ladder at work and your employer was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation. The law imposes an obligation on employers to take reasonable care for the safety of their employees at work which includes providing a safe working environment and properly maintained equipment. If you have been injured at work, call Lloyd Donnelly now on 02082077358
Fallen off a Ladder at Work? You may be entitled to compensation
To be able to claim compensation for a fall from a ladder or any other workplace injury, you must be able to establish that:
- Your injury was suffered in the last 3 years
- The fall was a result of the negligence of your employer or a fellow employee
- Your injuries are a direct result of the fall/accident
Ladders and Stepladders, as well as scaffolding equipment are tools which are frequently used when working at height. However, these are often misused or used incorrectly. The great majority of ladder accidents at work result from using ladders which are broken, incorrectly maintained or are in a state of disrepair.
Falls from a ladder can, and do, result in serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Internal organ injuries
- Head injuries
- Back injuries
- Leg & Knee injuries
- Arm & Shoulder injuries
Workplace Ladder Accidents - Work at Height Regulations
The Working at Height regulations exist to protect workers who regularly work on ladders, scaffolding or who are otherwise at risk of falling from height while at work.
Workplace ladders are obviously taller than domestic ladders meaning the risk of injury is much higher because of the greater heights involved. When instructing you to work at height, your employer is under a duty to ensure that the ladder and any safety equipment is fit for purpose.
The regulations require, among other things, that employees who are required to work at height are properly trained in the use of ladders and all appropriate safety equipment.
Employers are legally bound to ensure that employees are trained to ensure that the ladder is fit for purpose – including ensuring that the ladder is not damaged, bent or warped, and that the ladder’s feet are intact.
Ladder accidents resulting in falls can still occur even if the ladder is in good conditions because of a slip or skid. Employers are bound to ensure that the environment in which ladders are to be used are kept free of spills or debris which may result in a ladder falling.
Ladder over-reaching accidents
Another common cause of accidents is over-reaching or over-stretching. Employees should be trained in the use of ladders to prevent over-reaching accidents. To prevent this, your employer should ensure that the ladder is adequate for the job at hand.
Contact Lloyd Donnelly’s Personal Injury Solicitors for Hertfordshire, London & Southern England
If you have been injured in an accident at work as a result of a fall from a ladder, we can help. We have helped our clients claim thousands of pounds in compensation Call us now on 02082077358.