Workplace & Scaffolding Accidents

Workplace & Scaffolding Accidents

Can You Sue Your Employer for Workplace and Scaffolding Injuries?

A work-related injury deserves a robust remedy — if you’re injured on the job, you deserve full coverage beyond minimum workers’ compensation.

Full-time workers spend a quarter of their life at work every week, and many employees put in more time and effort off the books. When your regular job duties cause harm, can you sue your employer for injuries? The law says, “Yes.”

The attorneys at Pierce Skrabanek have experience representing hard workers from various lines of employment, including oilfields and pipelines, manufacturing and chemical plants, and maritime jobs. We know that even when you do everything you can to stay safe, workplace, industrial, and scaffolding accidents can still occur due to safety failures, mismanagement, and negligence.

After a workplace injury, we know all you want is to regain a sense of normalcy. The dedicated work injury lawyers at Pierce Skrabanek have the knowledge, experience, and passion to help secure the compensation you need. Reach out to our Houston, Texas headquarters online or by calling 832-690-7000 for a free, confidential consultation. We know what your losses are truly worth, and will build a case for the settlement or verdict you deserve.

What Qualifies as an Injury on Duty?

According to workers’ compensation law, injuries and illnesses are covered if they occur during the scope and course of one’s job duties. Examples of such injuries may include joint damage created due to repetitive motions (like operating a machine), or toxic exposure due to interacting with asbestos-containing materials. Employers should guard against these known risks with safety standards like joint braces and rotation work, or protective masks and decontamination procedures.

Failure to protect against known hazards may be considered negligence. Avoidable accidents and the injuries that result deserve full and fair compensation.

Scaffolding, Rooftop, and Rigging Falls

Pierce Skrabanek has a robust track record of representing some of the hardest-working individuals in the air, on land, and over seas — from roofers to oil rig operators to other maritime roles. When your workplace is inherently dangerous due to the nature of the job, there should be an excess of protections in place, not just the bare minimum. That includes protective gear, harnesses, and maintenance to clear the area of any unnecessary hazards.

Dangerous jobs don’t mean you should expect an injury, they mean you should expect abundant and redundant safety protocols.

There can be overlapping liability for injuries, including employers, property owners, and manufacturers. If you’ve been injured on the job, your priority is to heal and move forward as best as possible. Your attorney from Pierce Skrabanek will investigate your circumstances, gather and verify evidence, and build a case for a comprehensive settlement.

Workplace Injuries ingographic

How Do I Claim Compensation for a Work-Related Injury?

In many cases, workers’ compensation may be able to cover damages for a workplace or industrial accident. This depends on several factors, including the individual employee’s contract, insurance policies, and state or county laws.

It is important that you consult with your own attorney before signing or agreeing to any offer from workers’ comp or your employer’s insurance company.

It is the job of insurance agents to save their company as much money as possible. That may lead them to lowball you with less compensation than you deserve. At Pierce Skrabanek, we have expert witnesses and decades of experience that indicate the true cost of your losses after an injury. We can help handle your workers’ comp claim, and pursue an additional lawsuit if it doesn’t cover your actual needs.

Your compensation should include full accounting for:

  • All hospital and medical expenses, including follow-up care, medical devices, and pharmaceutical needs
  • Your lost wages, lost earning capacity, and lost job-related benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions
  • Compensation for your pain and suffering, from physical pain to emotional anguish caused to you and your family, including in cases of permanent scarring or disfigurement

If your case requires a trial, a judge or jury may award additional punitive or “punishment” damages in cases where the injury involved intentional acts or extremely negligent behavior. If you are the surviving family member of someone who lost their life due to a workplace injury, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim to seek justice for the deceased.

A skilled and experienced workplace accident lawyer can help an employee recover the full array of costs associated with a work injury. We can also help surviving family members find justice through the tragedy of a loved one lost. Contact Pierce Skrabanek at 832-690-7000 for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to evaluate your legal options.

do you still have questions?

contact our office to speak to a lawyer.

CONTACT US TODAY

What Are the Most Common Work-Related Injuries?

Workplace, construction, and industrial accident injuries can largely be grouped into the following categories.

  • Slips, trips, and falls: Accounting for about 1/3 of all workplace injuries, these are easily preventable. Slips and falls from roofs, platforms, or scaffolding often cause broken bones, head injuries, and back injuries at work.
  • Repetitive motion injuries: These injuries are caused by fixed-motion activities, like typing for hours on end. They can be prevented with proper workloads and break times, along with ergonomic equipment.
  • Vehicle and moving equipment injuries: Workers operating vehicles and heavy machinery are often severely hurt when the equipment overturns, crashes, or malfunctions. This can lead to industrial accidents that cause neck and head injuries, broken limbs, and other traumatic injuries.
  • Hazards in the workplace: Unsafe working conditions put employees at risk of chemical spills, fires, explosions, and more work-related accidents. Serious industrial and workplace accidents that cause injuries and fatalities are not uncommon in these hazardous working conditions. An attorney can hold employers accountable when they subject employees to these kinds of conditions.
  • Electrical shocks: Getting shocked or burned can be very serious, if not fatal.

Every preventable injury is a failure to provide the protections you deserve as an essential builder, breaker, or service provider.

You are entitled to a safe work environment. If your employer has failed to provide proper working conditions, you are 100% within your rights to seek full, thorough compensation for yourself, your family, and on behalf of every fellow worker who may come after you.

Is It the Company’s Responsibility to Prevent All Accidents at Work?

It is your employer’s responsibility to provide a safe working environment and prevent any and all avoidable accidents or injuries. Depending on what industry you work in, safety gear and procedures could entail:

  • Protective gear like helmets, goggles, gloves, flame-resistant clothing, or steel-toed boots
  • Decontamination protocols like fully functioning monitors, washing stations, and on-site chemical neutralization
  • Safety management oversight and relief workers so that all who work in dangerous environments are alert and focused on the tasks at hand
  • Railings, netting, or harnesses to catch falling objects or workers
  • A robust maintenance schedule to ensure that where you work is clean, fortified, and emergency devices (like fire extinguishers) are up to date

If you were not properly trained or protected, it’s important to hold the responsible parties accountable for their failures and inactions.

Testimonials

Read what our past clients have to say about our legal services. 

Daryl M.

5 star icon

“My experience with Mr. Skrabanek was honestly far better than all expectations that we had. He took care of us like we were family, making sure me and my wife always felt like a priority and walked us through all of the concerns that we had. If you are looking for a professional who truly cares for his clients you can stop the search. You won’t be disappointed.”

Denise J.

5 star icon

“Mike and his team helped me settle an injury claim case. I was informed and helped through every step and they were always professional and very responsive. I really enjoyed working with them.”

Victoria S.

5 star icon

“My attorney, Michael, did an amazing job with my case. He’s a straight shooter and has a vast knowledge of the law combined with an extensive amount of experience, making him a fantastic attorney. I fully recommend this firm.

Thank you Pierce Skrabenek!”

Gabriela C.

5 star icon

“Paul Skrabanek of the law firm Pierce Skrabanek was very professional and went above & beyond in handling my daughter's case. Very dedicated, worked diligently, and got justice for my family. If I could give a higher rating than 5 stars I would. Thank you and your firm for such tenacity.”

Raymond H.

5 star icon

“These guys are awesome, they were very informative from the beginning to end, working with them was super smooth, and I had all questions answered thoroughly. The whole team at this firm works to help in every way they can. They were able to get me the compensation I deserved and exceeded my expectations. If you’re ever in need of a stellar team to stand behind you and work for you, these guys are the ones you would want in your corner.

Thank you very much Paul and thank your team for me.”

Cam F.

5 star icon

“Working with Paul Skrabanek was a very positive experience. He helped me understand the legal process as someone who has never been a part of a lawsuit, and was able to get me settled quickly and painlessly! Loved working with Pierce Skrabanek law firm!”

Michele R.

5 star icon

Michael Pierce and his team, especially Krystle, were very professional, always available (even on weekends), and very knowledgeable. We appreciate their hard work on our case and the time they took to explain every detail as our case progressed. Mike is a phenomenal attorney and we highly recommend them for your legal needs.”

Beverly C.

5 star icon

“I found Mr. Skrabanek to be very trustworthy, creditable, and genuinely concerned about my well-being while I was going through this very difficult process. He showed constant concern for me being completely satisfied before making any final decisions.”

Diane T.

5 star icon

“Fantastic team of attorneys and staff dedicated to their clients. Michael Pierce is an outstanding trial attorney for personal injury cases.”

Deborah S.

5 star icon

“We watched, participated & listened to Paul Skrabanek fight for a settlement which we could be happy with. Just this month the case has been put to rest.”

Please fill out the form below for your

FREE CONSULTATION

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Contact Proven Workplace Injury Lawyers

Workplace, construction, scaffolding, and other industrial injuries impact workers regularly in mild, persistent, and sudden injuries every day. We’re talking hundreds of fatalities and thousands of serious injuries every year in Texas and throughout the United States.

Avoidable accidents like slips, falls, falling objects, fires, explosions, and poorly maintained equipment cause needless pain, suffering, and loss every day. Your choice to pursue justice for yourself could help prevent future hardship and improve safety standards for others. This is done by holding negligent companies or individuals accountable. It is vital that you never underestimate your own value, and that you realize that justice for you and your family could lead to greater safety for your fellow workers and community.

Reach the attorneys at Pierce Skrabanek by calling 832-690-7000 or by scheduling online for a free, confidential consultation. Once you decide on a legal course forward, your lawyer does all that is necessary to get it done. That leaves you free to focus on your legacy of good work, your life, and your loved ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What workplace settlements or verdicts has Pierce Skrabanek achieved?

Notable workplace and industrial injury successes for our clients include $16.9 million for a seaman, a verdict that included a punitive damages award for $2 million. Founding attorney Mike Pierce also achieved $11.6 million for a catastrophic injury case after the original pretrial settlement offer was only $300,000.

How many workers are killed on the job each year?

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 100 deaths occur per week in most reporting years — that’s a staggering 14 workers killed each day. Every death robs an individual of the joys they should have experienced in life. Each loss leaves loved ones grieving and coworkers traumatized, and all are unacceptable.

What are the most common causes of work-related fatalities?

There are four causes of construction deaths that account for 58.6% of all worker deaths. Also known as the “Fatal Four,” they are comprised of falls (33.5%), struck by an object (11.1%), electrocutions (8.5%), and caught in or between objects (5.5%). So many of these tragic work-related injuries and deaths might have been prevented if the employer had made workplace safety a priority.

How long does a workplace accident lawsuit take?

There is no one set timeline for a workplace accident lawsuit. They can range from several months to a few years to fully resolve, depending on the exact circumstances of the case. 

However, there is a strict window of time to file a work-related injury lawsuit, sometimes as short as 1 year from the date of injury in Texas, depending on the claim. Contact a work-related accident lawyer from Pierce Skrabanek at 832-690-7000 as soon as possible so you don’t miss your chance at recovery.