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Construction injuries · Established 1960
Connecticut Scaffolding Accident Lawyer
Scaffolding accidents often cause life-changing injuries. Beyond workers’ compensation, you may also have a claim against a negligent third party — we can help you find out.
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TRUSTED LEGAL HELP FOR INJURED VICTIMS
Scaffolding Accident Lawyers
Scaffolding accidents often result in life-changing injuries, leaving workers unable to earn a living while facing mounting medical bills. If you were injured on a scaffold, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits—and in many cases, you may also have a separate personal injury claim against a negligent third party. Workers’comp will never cover pain and suffering, but an experienced personal injury attorney will.
For more than 60 years, McCoy & McCoy has represented injured construction workers throughout Connecticut, helping them recover workers’ compensation benefits and pursue third-party personal injury claims whenever possible.
I Just Fell From a Scaffold. What Should I Do?
The moments and days after a scaffolding accident can be overwhelming. Taking the right steps can protect both your health and your right to recover compensation.
- Seek medical Attention Immediately. Your health comes first. Falls from scaffolding can cause serious injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
- Report the Accident. Notify your employer or supervisor as soon as possible and ensure the accident is officially documented.
- Preserve Evidence. Take photos or videos of the scaffold and surrounding work area.
- Gather Witness Information. Coworkers, subcontractors, and other individuals who witnessed the accident may provide valuable information about what happened and whether safety violations existed.
- Avoid Giving Recorded Statements. Insurance companies may contact you shortly after the accident. Before providing a recorded statement or accepting a settlement, it’s wise to understand your legal rights. Early settlement offers often fail to account for future medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term complications.
- Speak with a Scaffolding Injury Attorney. Construction accident cases often involve multiple companies, insurance carriers, and complex legal issues. An attorney can investigate the accident, preserve evidence, determine whether you have a third-party claim in addition to workers’ compensation, and help you pursue every available source of compensation.
Can I Sue After a Scaffolding Accident?
If you were injured while working on scaffolding, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who caused the accident. These benefits can help cover medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages.
However, workers’ compensation may not be your only option.
If someone other than your employer contributed to the accident, you may also have a third-party personal injury claim. This can allow you to recover damages that workers’ compensation does not provide, including pain and suffering and the full value of your lost income.
You may have a claim if your accident was caused by:
- Improperly assembled scaffolding
- Missing guardrails or fall protection
- Defective scaffolding or safety equipment
- OSHA safety violations
- A negligent contractor or subcontractor
- Falling tools or materials
- Unsafe worksite conditions
Construction accidents often involve multiple companies working on the same job site. Our attorneys investigate the accident, identify every potentially liable party, and pursue every available source of compensation.
Can I Receive Workers' Compensation and File a Lawsuit?
Yes, in some cases. While you generally cannot sue your employer if workers’ compensation applies, you may still have a claim against a negligent third party. Pursuing both types of claims can help maximize your financial recovery, especially after a catastrophic injury.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Scaffolding Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of the scaffolding accident, liable parties may include:
- General contractors responsible for overseeing job site safety
- Subcontractors who created or failed to correct hazardous conditions
- Property owners who failed to maintain a reasonably safe worksite
- Scaffolding manufacturers if defective equipment contributed to the accident
- Scaffold rental or installation companies that provided unsafe or improperly assembled scaffolding
- Equipment manufacturers responsible for defective safety harnesses, guardrails, or fall protection systems
- Third-party vendors or suppliers whose negligence contributed to the accident
Our attorneys thoroughly investigate every scaffolding accident by reviewing OSHA reports, safety inspections, maintenance records, witness statements, and other evidence to determine exactly what happened and identify every available source of compensation.
How Do Scaffolding Accidents Happen?
Most scaffolding accidents are preventable. They often occur when proper safety procedures are ignored, equipment is defective, or scaffolding is improperly assembled or maintained. Even a small mistake can lead to a devastating fall or serious injury.
Common causes of scaffolding accidents include:
- Improperly assembled scaffolding
- Scaffold collapses
- Missing or defective guardrails
- Lack of fall protection or safety harnesses
- Defective scaffolding components
- Unstable or uneven ground
- Overloaded scaffolding platforms
- Slippery walking surfaces
- Falling tools or construction materials
- Electrical contact with overhead power lines
- Failure to follow OSHA safety regulations
- Inadequate worker training
- Poor maintenance or failure to inspect scaffolding before use
How McCoy & McCoy Can Help You After a Scaffolding Accident
Our attorneys work to determine exactly what caused the accident and who may be responsible by gathering evidence such as:
OSHA investigation reports
Job site photographs and surveillance footage
Incident and accident reports
Witness statements
Scaffolding inspection and maintenance records
Safety training documentation
Construction contracts and subcontractor agreements
Equipment inspection records
Manufacturer information for scaffolding and fall protection equipment
Medical records documenting your injuries
When necessary, we work with construction safety experts and engineers to identify OSHA violations, unsafe work practices, defective equipment, or other evidence of negligence. Our goal is to identify every liable party and pursue every available source of compensation on your behalf.
Why Choose McCoy & McCoy?
Unlike high-volume personal injury firms that may treat clients as case numbers, our firm intentionally maintains a limited caseload so we can provide personalized attention and direct access to an attorney throughout your case. When you hire McCoy & McCoy, you work directly with experienced attorneys who are familiar with the complexities of catastrophic injuries. We are available to answer questions, provide updates, and guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Our legal team works closely with treating physicians, pain management specialists, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, vocational experts, and, when necessary, life-care planners to fully document the impact of your injuries. We focus not only on your current damages but also on the future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and long-term care needs that may arise.
Our attorneys have decades of experience negotiating with insurance carriers and understand the tactics they use to challenge serious injury cases. We build comprehensive claims supported by medical records, expert testimony, diagnostic findings, and evidence demonstrating the day-to-day effects of chronic pain.
When settlement offers fail to reflect the true value of a case, we are prepared to aggressively advocate for our clients. Our firm’s leadership includes Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer Frank McCoy, a distinction held by fewer than one percent of attorneys nationwide. This trial experience can be a powerful advantage when insurance companies know your legal team is prepared to take a case to court if necessary.
For more than six decades, Connecticut injury victims have trusted McCoy & McCoy to help them navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives. If you or a loved one has been involved in a scaffolding accident, our attorneys are ready to help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve through a free consultation.
SCAFFOLDING ACCIDENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I sue my employer after falling from scaffolding?
While you generally cannot sue your employer if workers’ compensation applies, you may still have a claim against a negligent third party. Pursuing both types of claims can help maximize your financial recovery, especially after a catastrophic injury.
Reporting and filing deadlines
In Connecticut, injured workers generally have limited deadlines to report workplace injuries and file workers’ compensation claims. If you have a third-party personal injury claim, different filing deadlines apply. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible can help protect your rights and preserve important evidence.
How long do I have to file a scaffolding accident claim in Connecticut?
In most cases, Connecticut law provides accident victims with two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, exceptions may apply depending on the circumstances of the case.
What if defective scaffolding caused my injuries?
If defective scaffolding or faulty safety equipment contributed to your accident, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or another responsible party. These claims are separate from workers’ compensation and may provide additional compensation.
Should I get a lawyer after a scaffolding accident?
Yes, construction accident cases often involve multiple companies, OSHA regulations, workers’ compensation claims, and third-party liability. An experienced attorney can investigate the accident, identify all responsible parties, and pursue every available source of compensation while you focus on your recovery.
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