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Santa Barbara Scaffolding Accident Lawyers
Are You in Need of a Santa Barbara Scaffolding Accident Attorney?
Scaffolding accidents can cause devastating injuries that lead to huge medical expenses and other costs. In addition to your workers' compensation benefits, you may be able to file a third-party lawsuit that provides even more resources.
Why Choose Us Over Other Scaffolding Accident Lawyers in Santa Barbara?
For over 30 years, the Santa Barbara construction accident attorneys at NordstrandBlack PC have helped accident victims get justice for their injuries. We can file a claim or lawsuit that reflects the full cost of your injuries.
NordstrandBlack PC | Scaffolding Accident Law Firm in Santa Barbara
- We offer free initial case consultations.
- You don't pay our law firm anything unless our lawyers win your case.
- Our law firm has a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating, a Premium rating by Lawyer.com, and an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
- Renée Nordstrand-Black has won the Deborah Talmage Attorney of the Year Award.
Call the scaffolding accident lawyers NordstrandBlack PC at (805) 962-2022 to schedule your FREE consultation.
Do You Have a Case for Your Scaffolding Accident?
Workers' compensation provides basic benefits to employees who get injured on the job. This includes money for medical care and partial wage replacement. Keep in mind that workers' compensation in California has certain limitations, and your benefits may not fully cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses caused by the accident.
During your free consultation with NordstrandBlack PC, our attorneys will tell you if you are eligible to file a third-party claim. A third-party lawsuit involves seeking compensation from parties other than the employer who is liable for the accident. This can provide an additional avenue for compensation beyond workers' compensation:
- Property owners are responsible for maintaining a safe environment.
- Equipment manufacturers are accountable for product defects.
- Scaffolding rental and setup companies are responsible for proper installation.
How Is Negligence Determined in a Scaffolding Accident Case?
Negligence is a legal concept that refers to the failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to others. If you want to file a successful scaffolding accident claim or lawsuit, you must prove negligence on the part of a third party and demonstrate how this negligence contributed to your injuries.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets stringent standards to ensure scaffolding safety. Violations of OSHA standards can serve as the basis for a third-party lawsuit filed by a scaffolding accident law firm.
Failure to meet fall protection standards is one of the most frequent OSHA violations. This oversight can result in serious falls, causing injuries or fatalities. The absence of overhead protection is another common hazard in construction sites because it exposes workers to falling debris. The lack of guardrails on scaffolding platforms can lead to falls, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
Inadequate training also falls under negligence in scaffolding injury lawsuits, along with poor safety protocols or failing to follow proper construction guidelines, where proper procedures are either not implemented or ignored.
Overloading occurs when scaffolding is burdened with more weight than it is designed to support, which can have devastating consequences for construction workers. Poorly constructed scaffolding is another leading cause of accidents on construction sites. When scaffolding is not built to standard specifications, it poses a significant risk to workers. Problems may also arise from using substandard materials.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a Scaffolding Accident?
Economic damages compensate victims for financial losses that are directly tied to the accident. Medical expenses are often the most significant component, encompassing emergency care, rehabilitation, doctor's office visits, ambulance rides, and other types of treatment.
Workers who suffer catastrophic injuries may also require long-term assisted living care, which is very costly. Home modifications are often necessary to accommodate new physical limitations following a scaffolding accident. Installing wheelchair ramps and bathroom adaptations are examples of alterations that make the victim's living space more accessible.
Lost wages are another important element of economic damages. This includes income lost due to the inability to work during recovery and any diminished earning capacity experienced by the accident victim moving forward.
Non-economic damages compensate injured construction workers for injuries that don't have a direct monetary cost. For example, damages for pain and suffering address physical agony and emotional distress experienced by victims. Non-economic damages may also cover loss of enjoyment of life, recognizing how the accident negatively impacts day-to-day experiences and overall quality of life.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims
In California, a wrongful death is defined as a death caused by the negligence or misconduct of another party. This legal concept allows surviving family members or dependents to seek compensation for their loss. Survivors may seek compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of love, guidance, and companionship.
Eligible survivors may include:
- Primary claimants: Typically, the deceased's spouse, children, or parents.
- Secondary claimants: Siblings or other relatives if no primary claimants exist.
- Dependents: Financial dependents can also file if they had previously relied on the deceased for support.
Common Types of Injuries in a Scaffolding Accident Claim
Scaffolding accidents often result in severe injuries, such as the following:
- Amputation
- Broken bones
- Internal organ failure
- Paralysis
- Crush injuries
- Severe lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
How a Scaffolding Accident Attorney Can Help
The scaffolding accident attorneys at NordstrandBlack PC will advocate for your rights and guide you through the legal process. After our investigation, we'll identify liable parties, send a demand letter to any third party whose negligence contributed to your injuries, and negotiate with insurance companies. Then, the next steps:
- Evaluate the offer: We'll begin by assessing the initial settlement offer from the insurer, determining whether it adequately covers the victim's losses.
- Presenting evidence: Attorneys present detailed evidence of the accident and its impact, using documentation to justify a higher settlement if necessary.
- Counteroffers and discussions: Through a series of counteroffers and discussions, attorneys strive to reach a fair agreement that reflects the full extent of damages sustained by the client.
What To Do After a Scaffolding Accident in Santa Barbara
After experiencing a scaffolding accident, taking the right actions can significantly enhance your chances of filing a successful claim or lawsuit.
Report the Accident
Reporting the incident provides documentation that's essential for any future legal proceedings or insurance claims.
- Inform your supervisor about the accident details.
- Request a written report of the incident from your employer.
- Ensure that the report includes the date, time, and circumstances of the accident.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Immediate medical attention can be life-saving. Visit a healthcare provider right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Your doctor can assess hidden injuries that may not be apparent at first. Follow-up appointments are just as essential to track your recovery progress, and skipping these appointments can weaken your legal position.
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Insurance Company
Insurance companies save money by reducing the amount of money they offer in settlements. It's advisable to limit your direct interactions with them.
- Direct all communication with insurers to your lawyer.
- Avoid providing recorded statements without legal advice.
- Be wary of any quick settlement offers from insurers.
Stay Off Social Media
Social media can inadvertently harm your case. Even when you set your profiles to private, the insurance company and their lawyers may be able to access your account to scrutinize your posts for inconsistencies.
- Avoid posting details about the accident or your injuries.
- Be cautious of tagged photos that could contradict your claims.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Scaffolding Accident Case in California?
In California, the statute of limitations is typically two years for personal injury cases. Missing this deadline may cause you to forfeit your right to pursue legal action. Remember that pursuing legal action right away can improve the likelihood of achieving a successful outcome—your attorney can start collecting evidence before it can be lost or destroyed.
Let the attorneys at NordstrandBlack PC help you file your claim. Call (805) 962-2022 for more information.
What Steps Are Involved in Filing a Claim for a Scaffolding Accident?
NordstrandBlack PC offers several legal services to scaffolding accident victims.
Scheduling Your Free Case Evaluation
Initial meetings with our lawyers help clarify the case's details and potential legal pathways.
Collecting Evidence for Your Case
Gathering comprehensive evidence like medical records is the foundation of a successful scaffolding injury accident claim. We'll document injuries, establish causality, and support compensation based on medical needs.
Incident reports offer critical insights into the circumstances surrounding a scaffolding accident. Safety records and company policies are integral to understanding these events. Our attorneys will evaluate compliance with safety regulations, identify policy failures, and establish negligence to demonstrate company liability.
Witness testimony provides firsthand accounts and professional opinions that support legal claims. Specialist witnesses add substantial weight to scaffolding accident cases by offering professional statements.
Accident photos and videos are compelling evidence in scaffolding accident cases that can enhance your claim in various ways.
Filing the Claim
We will inform all liable parties about the damages you are seeking.
Negotiating Your Settlement
Many cases are resolved through negotiation, in which our lawyers advocate for a fair settlement.
Preparing for Trial
If a settlement isn't reached, NordstrandBlack PC is always prepared to take your case to court.
Some of Our Related Case Results
$250K Global Settlement – Premises Liability (Foot Caught on Guy-Wire)
Our client was trespassing on private property, riding his dirt bike next to railroad tracks when his foot got caught by a guy-wire that was mistakenly not taken out after pole removal work was performed. NordstrandBlack PC filed a lawsuit against the railroad company for the unsafe conditions of their property and the sub-contractors who negligently left the cable behind when they removed the poles. The railroad company and sub-contractors claimed they were not responsible because our client was trespassing, therefore giving them recreational immunity. However, NordstrandBlack PC argued that the railroad company was aware that people used this property—though private—and, thus, had a duty to keep it safe. Our attorneys also argued that our client was using the property for transit, not recreation. The case settled following mediation for $250,000.00.
Confidential Settlement – Premises Liability (Shoe Stuck on Expansion Joint)
Our client, a 65-year-old woman, fell while exiting a big-box store when her shoe got stuck in an expansion joint. The defendant refused to provide the construction plans. However, our attorneys obtained the approved plans from the city, located the architect who drew the plans, and proved that the expansion joint was not safe because it was too wide and not built in conformance with the approved plans.
Settlement – Premises Liability (Fall from Unsecured Railing on Second-Floor Balcony)
Our client, a construction worker, leaned over the balcony railing of a two-story home to toss materials into a dumpster below. However, unbeknownst to the client, the railing was not secure; it didn't hold, causing our client to fall and suffer a fractured ankle and lumbar strain.
What Our Clients Have to Say About Us
"I Hired Her for a Most Difficult & Uncommon Case, and She Won"- Julie (5-Star Avvo Review)
This is one of the finest attorneys you will ever find in the state of California! I know this because I hired [Renée Nordstrand] for a most difficult & uncommon case, and she won it for me. I trust this attorney with my life, literally! I recommend her to anyone and everyone. If you want to win, you want Renée Nordstrand! Prior to my injury, I worked with several attorneys as a part of the industry that I am employed in. After the injury, I never thought I would be able to work or function on my own again. Renée Nordstrand not only won my case but she got me the right help so that I was actually able to recover and have a good life again. I am back to work, thanks to her!
"A Master Negotiator with Vast Experience" - Thomas Felkay (5-Star Google Review)
Doug Black and his office staff handled my case with exceptional professionalism, promptly returning calls and following up on every opportunity to get the best possible outcome on a complex lawsuit. He is a master negotiator with vast experience. His calm and respectful attitude provided a safe refuge during a difficult time. Highly recommended!
"Thorough, Fair, Honest, Detailed, Responsive, Supportive, Experienced, and Professional" - Ruth Gordon (5-Star Google Review)
When I hired Renée Nordstrand and [staff], I made one of the best decisions of my life. They are thorough, fair, honest, detailed, responsive, supportive, experienced, and professional in every way. I would rely on them again, if ever needed in the future, without hesitation!
Other Types of Injury Cases We Handle
Other Cities We Serve Near Santa Barbara
Call NordstrandBlack PC for More Information on Getting Legal Help
Our scaffolding accident lawyers in Santa Barbara are ready to help. Call our law firm at (805) 962-2022 and schedule your free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Scaffolding Accident Questions
Do I Have to Accept the First Offer I Get from the Insurance Company?
No! In fact, it's probably a lowball offer. The lawyers at NordstrandBlack PC will negotiate with the insurance company, seeking the money you need to start putting your life back together.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Scaffolding Accident Lawyer in Santa Barbara, California?
There are no upfront costs when you hire NordstrandBlack PC to handle your scaffolding accident case, and you won't owe our law firm anything unless our lawyers win.
What Documents Should I Bring to My Free Consultation?
Please provide a copy of the police report, your medical records, your insurance policy, and any communications with the insurance company.
What Factors Determine the Size of a Scaffolding Accident Settlement in California?
Catastrophic injuries caused by a scaffolding accident often result in high settlement offers due to the substantial medical expenses and assisted living care costs that victims may require.
Can I Settle My Scaffolding Accident Case Without Going to Court?
Probably. In many cases, our lawyers are able to negotiate a fair settlement amount.