Houston Aerial Lift Accident Attorneys
Helping Workers Injured in Aerial Lift & Scissor Lift Accidents Throughout Texas
According to the Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety & Health, aerial lifts count for 2 to 3% of all deaths on construction sites. Of those deaths, boom lifts count for over 70% and scissor lifts count for over 25%. Though aerial lifts are more effective than ladders and help construction workers get their jobs done efficiently, they can also pose serious dangers when not handled correctly.
If you or a loved one have been injured by an aerial lift, let Arnold & Itkin lawyers advocate on your behalf. Don’t suffer any longer. Contact our trusted Houston aerial lift accident attorneys for help!
The Dangers of Aerial Lifts
Aerial lifts come with an abundance of hazards and in a variety of forms. They can include vertical towers, articulating boom platforms, aerial ladders, and extendable boom platforms. Aerial lifts are commonly made of metal or fiberglass-reinforced plastic. In some cases, they are powered automatically, and in others, they are controlled by an operator on the ground. Workers must be trained to operate either type safely.
Hazards present in the use of aerial lifts include the following:
- Contact with other objects
- Causing objects to tip over or fall from lifts
- Wire entanglement
- Electric shock
- Ceiling contact
- Structural collapse
- Falls from the lift
- Contact with power lines
When operating aerial lifts, it is important that all employees are well-trained in how to use the equipment properly. Improper training could lead to severe, even fatal, harm. Our Houston, Texas personal injury law firm has often had to aid injured workers because employers did not provide adequate training.
Training Employees to Work with Aerial Lifts
OSHA requires that only trained professionals operate these lifts. The professionals described below are required to know the lift’s manufacturer details, such as its maximum capacity and when to perform inspections.
Mandated training courses include the following:
- Explanations of all potential hazards
- Plan for dealing with each hazard
- Training to avoid unsafe conditions
- Instructions for the operation of the lift
If an accident occurs while the lift is in use, or if workplace hazards are discovered in connection with the lift, then all operators must be retrained. Also, if a lift operator is asked to operate a lift that he is not familiar with, the OSHA requires that the operators retrain for that specific lift. OSHA also requires that employers retrain any workers that they see operating an aerial lift unsafely or improperly. If you or another employee were not properly trained in how to operate the lift, your employer may be held liable for improper training. Don’t hesitate to contact us for help.
Aerial Lift Accident FAQ
What’s an Aerial Lift?
An aerial lift is a vehicle-mounted platform that can move vertically and horizontally. Cherry pickers or bucket trucks are examples. When working at a height from an aerial lift, OSHA requires a “personal fall arrest” system for every worker. Despite that requirement, dozens of construction workers die from aerial lift accidents every year.
How Often Does an Aerial Lift Need to Be Inspected?
At minimum, aerial lifts must be inspected on an annual basis by a mechanic qualified to inspect that particular make and model. They must also be inspected if the aerial lift was bought from a previous owner, the lift has been in service for 3 months or 150 hours, or the lift has been out of service for 3 months.
Who Can Be Held Accountable for an Aerial Lift Accident?
Depending on the accident, the manufacturer, the owner, or the operator of the aerial lift could be held liable. If the accident was caused by a manufacturing defect, then the manufacturer could be sued. If it was a result of the misuse or poor maintenance, then the owner or the operator could be held responsible. In order to understand who was actually at fault for your accident, you’ll need to speak with an aerial lift accident attorney today.
Injured in an Aerial Lift Accident? Call Arnold & Itkin at (888) 493-1629.
If you were working with an aerial lift and were severely harmed, then you have the right to seek worker's compensation. With the right attorney on your side, you may be able to get a settlement that will cover all of your medical bills from the accident as well as punitive damages. To help you determine who can be held liable for your injuries, talk to a Houston construction accident attorney from Arnold & Itkin today. We have recovered billions of dollars in compensation for clients in Houston and across the nation, securing their futures with financial justice.
Contact Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free case evaluation to begin your fight for fair compensation.