Work-Related Fall to a Lower Level

In general, workers compensation claims for falls to a lower level tend to be falls from heights. These type of falls includes falling from an elevated surface such as roofs, ladders, walls, and stairways. The greater the hight, the greater the potential for multi organ trauma including broken bones, bruises, tears, organ contusions, and brain and spinal cord injuries.

Step-Down and Fall

Step and fall accidents occur when a person unexpectedly encounters a step-down, a hole, or a depression in a walking surface. This type of incident frequently occurs when a person thinks they have reached the bottom of a set of stairs but there are one or more steps left to the ground level. It is not unusual to suffer elbow and shoulder fractures with these types of falls, where the person, in an attempt to retain their center of gravity, falls backwards.

Fall From a Ladder or Scaffolding

Higher rates of falls from ladders were identified in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations, in addition to construction and extraction workers. Surprisingly, there is no relationship between the distance fallen and the occurrence of fractures. However, approximately 1/3 of all patients who fall from a ladder suffer a fracture, usually in the extremities. Other injuries associated with ladder falls include sprains, contusions, lacerations, and abrasions.

Fall From a Wall

Just like ladders, scaffolding and roofs, falls from walls can be extremely dangerous depending on the hight of the wall. Large and not properly reinforced walls are notorious for crumbling and causing crush injuries in the extremities in addition to fractures, sprains, and tears. ​

Fall From a Roof

Nearly, one-third of all construction industry deaths are due to falls from roofs. Accidents occur because workers are not provided with guardrail systems with toe boards, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems. Or, workers do not follow necessary safety precautions. Other causes of workers falling from roofs can be scaffolding accidents, railing accidents, faulty plank accidents, and harness accidents.