truck driver neglect - injured in an accident

Fall-related injuries are among the most common injuries that workers suffer from. After falling from a defective ladder, you might suffer a spinal injury that leaves you unable to walk without an assistive device. You might also be in a lot of pain. If you are covered by workers' compensation, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. However, you might also be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer of the defective ladder.

The Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord consists of 33 bones and also includes discs, ligaments, and muscles. The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting information throughout your body. Therefore, when you are injured at a certain point on your spine, the area of your body underneath the location of the injury may become paralyzed or experience numbness.

Your injury might affect your ability to walk, might affect bladder function, can affect your ability to breathe, and might cause you to feel dizzy. 

How a Spinal Cord Injury Happens After a Fall

If you fall and land on your back, especially if you land on an object, the force of the impact might be enough to damage your spine. After this happens, you will need to seek medical attention immediately. You may need surgery or a brace until you have healed. This might lead to you having a better health outcome.

What to do After the Accident

After the accident, you will want to tell your employer everything that happened and the fact that you were injured so you can receive workers' compensation benefits. You will then want to speak to a worksite accident lawyer about how you might be able to take action against the manufacturer of the defective ladder.

Oftentimes, when a ladder is defective, it is made out of materials that are not sturdy enough to support a worker's weight. As a result, one of the rungs of the ladder could break, and you may end up falling and injuring yourself. When the ladder isn't made out of durable materials, it might become detached from the building and cause you to fall. Regardless of how the ladder fails, the manufacturer of the ladder should be partially at fault for your injuries.

While you may receive compensation for your work-related injuries, you will be limited in the compensation that you receive. The best way to maximize your compensation is to also take legal action against the manufacturer of the ladder with the help of a worksite injury lawyer.

Contact a work site accident attorney near you to learn more.