Fall From Height Claims

Falls from elevation are a leading cause of serious injury — when fall protection fails, liability follows.

Falls from height are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in workplaces and on properties, encompassing falls from roofs, ladders, scaffolding, balconies, mezzanines, elevated platforms, and through unguarded openings or skylights. The injuries are often catastrophic — traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal injuries, and death — because of the forces involved. These accidents frequently result from inadequate or missing fall protection, such as the absence of guardrails, safety harnesses, anchor points, and proper netting, as well as unstable ladders, defective equipment, slippery or cluttered elevated surfaces, and unmarked or unguarded edges and holes. Federal and state safety standards, especially OSHA fall protection regulations, require specific safeguards when workers are exposed to falls above certain heights, and violations of these standards are powerful evidence of negligence. Although injured workers are typically entitled to workers' compensation, fall-from-height accidents often involve multiple potentially responsible parties — general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers — making third-party claims an important avenue for fuller compensation. Falls also occur on residential and commercial properties due to defective stairs, balconies, and railings, raising premises liability claims. Damages may include extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering, with wrongful death claims in fatal cases. Documenting the scene, preserving equipment, and obtaining safety records are critical first steps.

For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.