Many construction workers in North Myrtle Beach must perform exterior work while on scaffolding. However, scaffolding can be dangerous for construction workers, especially when construction companies negligently erect or maintain the structure.
If you’ve been injured in a scaffolding accident at work in North Myrtle Beach, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a workers’ compensation claim and potential legal claims against negligent third parties.
The North Myrtle Beach scaffolding accident lawyers at Jebaily Law Firm want to help you seek financial relief if you’ve been injured while working on scaffolding. For over 50 years, our firm has advocated for the rights of injured people across South Carolina. With over a century of combined legal experience, our attorneys have the knowledge and resources to guide you through each stage of your legal claim. We treat our clients with the dignity, compassion, and respect they deserve.
If you’ve suffered injuries in a scaffolding accident, turn to Jebaily Law Firm for help pursuing the financial resources you need. Contact us for a free initial case review to speak with a North Myrtle Beach scaffold accident lawyer about your legal options for seeking compensation.
What Is a Scaffold? What Are the Different Types of Scaffold Platforms?
A scaffold is a temporary structure workers use to access heights or other difficult-to-reach areas when constructing, repairing, or maintaining buildings.
Common types of scaffold platforms include:
- Single scaffolding – Standard scaffolding commonly used on brick buildings
- Double scaffolding – Also called independent scaffolding, used for stone façade buildings when difficult to put holes in the wall to support the scaffolding
- Cantilever scaffolding – Scaffolding supported by struts attached to the building rather than placed on the ground
- Suspended scaffolding – Scaffolding attached to and suspended from the roof by wires or chains
- Trestle scaffolding – A type of mobile scaffolding
- Patented scaffolding – A type of prefabricated, ready-made scaffolding that avoids the need for assembling components
Hazards That Workers Face When Working on Scaffolding
Improperly erected or maintained or defective scaffolding can create injury hazards for construction workers. Some of the most common hazards workers face while working on scaffolding include:
- Electrocution from live wires contacting the scaffold frame
- Falls from heights
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Falling through broken planks
- Scaffold collapse
- Falling objects knocked off scaffolding
What Are the Common Causes of Scaffolding Accidents?
Different errors or acts of negligence can lead to scaffolding accidents. Some of the most frequent causes of accidents involving scaffolding include:
- Improper construction of scaffolding
- Using scaffold components from different manufacturers
- Inadequate inspection and maintenance of scaffolding
- Failure to replace worn-out planking
- Failing to secure objects or materials used or stored on scaffolding
- Lack of fall protection
- Having electrical wires near scaffolding
- Using unqualified individuals to erect scaffolding
- Lack of safety training for workers
Common Scaffold-Related Injuries
Depending on the particular type of scaffolding accident, a worker can suffer a wide range of injuries, such as:
- Lacerations, abrasions, and degloving injuries
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Dislocated joints
- Ligament sprains
- Muscle and tendon strains
- Crush injuries
- Perforation injuries
- Burns
- Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Scaffolding Safety and OSHA Guidelines
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes safety standards for scaffolding that construction companies must follow.
OSHA guidelines for scaffolding safety include the following provisions:
- General requirements for scaffold design and construction
- Additional requirements for specific types of scaffolds
- Requirements for aerial lifts
- Training requirements
- Approved scaffold specifications
- Criteria for safe access and fall protection for scaffolding company workers
- National scaffolding standards
- Drawings and illustrations of types of scaffolds and scaffolding components
- Sample fall protection plans
Pursuing Workers’ Comp for a Scaffolding Accident
When you suffer injuries on the job in a scaffolding accident, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer to obtain financial benefits that will help you recover from your injuries. The benefits available under South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system include:
- Medical benefits that pay for all reasonable and necessary treatment and rehabilitation of work-related injuries
- Temporary total compensation, which pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage if you cannot work due to a work-related injury
- Temporary partial compensation, which pays two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wage and the lower wage you earn while on part-time or light duty as you recover from your injuries
- Permanent impairment compensation, which pays you financial compensation if you suffer permanent impairment or disability of a body part after reaching maximum medical improvement of work injuries
South Carolina workers’ compensation law requires you to notify your employer of work-related injuries immediately after a workplace accident but no later than 90 days after the accident. If your employer refuses to pay you workers’ comp benefits after receiving notice of your injury, you must file a workplace injury claim with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission within two years of a work accident.
Third Parties That May Be Held Liable for a Scaffolding Accident
In addition to pursuing workers’ compensation benefits from your employer, you may also have a legal claim to compensation from non-employer third parties who bear liability for the scaffolding accident that injured you. Examples of third parties who may have liability for your scaffolding accident injuries include:
- The scaffolding company that erected the scaffolding, which may have liability for negligently erecting or maintaining the scaffolding
- The building owner, if a defective condition of the building led to the accident
- Other contractors at the worksite, who may have liability if their negligent acts or omissions led to the scaffolding accident
- The manufacturer of the scaffolding materials, which may have liability for a design or manufacturing defect that caused the accident
Contact Our North Myrtle Beach Scaffolding Injury Lawyers
If you were injured in a North Myrtle Beach scaffolding accident, you deserve to seek compensation that can help you get your life back on track. Contact Jebaily Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about how a scaffolding accident lawyer from our firm can help you pursue financial relief.
