Working on ladders, especially tall ladders that lead to a roof, is extremely dangerous work. While many people who do this type of work take safety for granted and do not worry too much about falling, it happens all the time. Not only do workers fall off ladders and roofs all the time, these fall accidents often result in serious injury or death.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) arrived on the scene shortly after the fatal workplace accident, so they could begin conducting a full investigation. The agency has jurisdiction to conduct an investigation to determine if any safety regulations were violated and if those violations contributed to the accident. OSHA can issue fines and warnings regardless of whether or not those violations contributed to an accident. However, it should be noted that just because OSHA has been called to the scene does not mean any violations will be found. The agency is required to investigate any fatal workplace or industrial accident. It should also be noted that if any violations are found, the employer can deny liability and appeal the findings.
One thing that you can discuss with your Boston workplace accident attorney is that it is not necessary to prove any fault on behalf of your employer to collect workers’ compensation benefits. The reason for this is because, under the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Act, the workers’ compensation system was set up in a no-fault manner. This means it is only necessary to establish that a worker is actually an employee within the meaning of the act and that the injury occurred on the job.
These two requirements are often fairly simple to establish, but that is not always the case, because some unscrupulous employers or more likely insurance companies will try to avoid paying clearly valid claims. The best thing you can do in this situation is speak with an experienced Boston workers’ compensation attorney who will fight for your right to a full and appropriate financial recovery.
If you are the victim of Massachusetts product liability, call Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential appointment — (617) 777-7777.
Additional Resources:
Man Dies After Falling Off Ladder in Waltham: Reports, March 24, 2017, By Alex Newman, Waltham Patch
More Blog Entries:
OSHA Cites Gutter Firm After Worker Injured in Fall, Feb. 15, 2017, Boston Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Blog