8 Common Injuries from Falling Off a Ladder at Work

Every year, more than 164,000 ladder accidents result in emergency room treatment. Injuries resulting from ladder falls can be very serious, even fatal. Many times, ladder accidents happen in the workplace. In fact, an estimated 81% of fall injuries treated in the hospital amongst construction workers involve a ladder. No matter what industry you are in, if you or your loved one has been hurt in an accident involving a ladder, the award-winning attorneys at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC are here to help you.

In this article, our qualified workers compensation attorneys discuss 10 common injuries after a workplace fall involving a ladder. If you have any questions regarding the content in this article or you have a potential workers compensation case, please call our office at (803) 888-2200 or begin an online chat with our team. We are available for you via phone 24/7.

10 Common Ladder Injuries

1. Sprains and Strains

Sprain injuries occur when a ligament is stretched too far or torn. These injuries can result in pain, swelling, and bruising. Recovery typically includes the R.I.C.E. method, requiring rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Depending on the severity of the sprain and your job duties, these injuries can keep you out of work or require light duty for a period of time.

2. Broken Bones and Fractures

One of the most common injuries you may suffer after falling off a ladder is a broken bone or a bone fracture. Ladder injuries commonly include broken arms, wrists, hips, and ankles. Broken bones can result in long healing journeys that can keep you out of work for weeks or months.

3.Internal Injuries

The force from hitting the ground after falling off a ladder can cause internal injuries. These can range in severity from minor hemorrhages to life-threatening, severe bleeding. Symptoms of internal bleeding may include dizziness, low blood pressure, difficulty seeing, severe stomach pain, trouble breathing, bruising, and more.

4. Neck Injuries

Neck injuries can range in seriousness from mild to fatal. Trauma to the neck from falls can cause torn muscles or tendons, torn ligaments, or even spinal cord injuries. Neck injuries commonly result in stiffness, shoulder pain, arm pain, headaches, and even facial pain.

Treatments for neck injuries will vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury. While most symptoms will go away in 4 to 6 weeks, severe injury to the neck can take much longer.

5. Spinal Cord Injuries

A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is one of the most severe injuries that can result from a ladder fall. Damage to the spinal cord is often irreversible and can have ranging symptoms from loss of sensation to paralysis.

6. Head Injuries

Many people who fall off a ladder suffer head injuries. This can include but is not limited to concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

7. Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries are a form of catastrophic injury that has long-lasting impacts and very challenging treatment journeys. Oftentimes, TBI causes permanent disability.

8. Death

Devastatingly, falling off a ladder can be fatal. If you lost a loved one to a workplace accident, we are so sorry.

An experienced workers compensation attorney will help you after a work-place injury by fighting for you to ensure you get the entirety of the compensation you’re owed, optimizing your claim, ensuring all deadlines are met, and much more. It’s also important to keep in mind that in addition to physical injuries, falling off a ladder while on the job can result in emotional trauma as well, such as anxiety and PTSD. 

Contact the Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC

If you or a loved one suffered an injury or loss of life after falling off a ladder on-the-job in South Carolina, it is imperative that you speak to a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected. Do not hesitate to reach out to the reputable workers’ compensation attorneys at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC today to get your questions answered and seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, and much more.

Our law firm has offices in Columbia and Charleston and are available to handle cases throughout the state. For a free case evaluation, please call our office today at (803) 888-2200.