Ladder injuries are one of the most common causes of workplace injury and death across multiple industries. They happen in construction, warehousing, maintenance, retail, and more. And yet, workers who are hurt in these accidents often make decisions in the hours and days after that end up hurting their legal claims.
Our friends at Hickey & Turim, S.C. discuss this frequently with clients who come in after the fact, unsure of what went wrong procedurally. A ladder injury at work lawyer can help injured workers understand what steps they should have taken and what options remain available to them. These are the most common missteps we see, and what you can do instead.
Not Reporting the Injury Right Away
This is where many claims start to fall apart. Workers sometimes feel pressure not to make waves, or they think they are not hurt badly enough to say something. By the time symptoms get worse, days have passed and there is no immediate record tying the injury to the workplace incident.
Most states require you to report a workplace injury within a specific window of time. Waiting can create grounds to deny your workers’ compensation claim entirely. Report the injury to your supervisor as soon as possible, even if you feel like you will be okay.
Skipping Medical Attention
Even when a ladder fall seems minor, internal injuries, spinal issues, and head trauma can take time to surface. Skipping a medical evaluation after a fall is one of the fastest ways to undermine your claim.
Medical documentation does two things: it establishes that you were hurt, and it creates a timeline connecting the injury to the fall. Without it, an employer or insurance company can argue your injuries came from somewhere else. Go to a doctor. Get it documented.
Assuming Workers’ Comp Covers Everything
Workers’ compensation is often not the only source of recovery available after a ladder injury at work. Depending on the facts, there may be third-party liability involved. For example:
- The ladder itself may have been defective, raising a product liability claim against the manufacturer
- A contractor or property owner other than your employer may share responsibility
- A co-worker acting outside the scope of employment may have contributed to the fall
Workers’ comp generally bars lawsuits against your direct employer, but it does not close the door on every possible claim. A thorough review of the facts can reveal additional avenues for compensation that most injured workers do not know exist.
Giving a Recorded Statement Without Legal Advice
Insurance adjusters move quickly after a workplace injury. They may contact you within days, sometimes hours, and ask for a recorded statement. This is not a formality. It is an opportunity for them to capture language they can use to reduce or deny your claim.
You are not required to give a recorded statement to the workers’ compensation insurer or any third-party insurer without first speaking with an attorney. What you say can and will be used against you, even if you do not intend it that way.
Underestimating Long-Term Costs
A serious fall from a ladder can mean surgeries, physical therapy, time away from work, and permanent limitations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls remain one of the leading causes of fatal and nonfatal occupational injuries in the United States. Yet many workers settle quickly for far less than what their injuries will actually cost them over time.
Before accepting any settlement, it is worth understanding the full picture: future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering where applicable.
What to Do If You Were Hurt
If you or someone you know was injured falling from a ladder at work, the steps you take early on can shape the entire outcome of your claim. Document everything, seek medical care, and speak with an attorney before making statements or signing anything. Our team is ready to review what happened and help you understand where you stand.