Restoration Claim Scenario: Ladder Safety

From time to time we like to share claim scenarios we encounter in hopes that by sharing the information it will help protection your restoration company from a similar type claim.
The Claim: A 54 year old, 250 pound restoration worker was working on a ladder measuring a piece of duct work. While he was 9 feet up, a rivet broke and the ladder twisted causing him to fall on his co-worker who was attempting to steady the ladder.
Both sustained serious injuries with one employee fracturing both legs and left confined to a wheelchair and daily assistance. The employee also suffers loss of cell growth resulting in amputation to one leg as well as a knee replacement to the other.
Aside from the extensive pain and suffering endured by both injured workers, this claim has reached over $500,000 in costs.
Lesson: Before each use, inspect laddersfor cracked or broken parts such as rungs, steps, side rails, feet and locking components.
Do not apply more weight on the ladder than it is designed to support.
Rungs shall be capable of supporting a single concentrated load of 250 pounds applied in the middle of
the step or rung.
Rungs must be so shaped thatan employee’s foot cannot slide off and must be slide resistant.
The area around the top andbottom of ladder must be kept clear.
When ascending or descending a ladder, the user shall face the ladder.