Falling object injuries often occur in workplaces like construction sites, warehouses, and retail stores, but they can also happen in public places due to negligence. Understanding your legal rights is essential in seeking fair compensation for your injuries.
At Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A., our work injury lawyer is dedicated to helping victims who have suffered injuries due to falling debris, tools, or other unsecured objects. These accidents can cause serious harm, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, fractures, and even fatalities. If a falling object injured you, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Common Causes of Falling Object Accidents
Falling object injuries can happen suddenly and cause serious harm, often without warning. Whether at a construction site, store, or office, loose or improperly secured items can put people at risk. Understanding the common causes of these accidents can help prevent them. Still, when injuries occur, a falling objects injury lawyer can help determine liability and seek compensation for falling object injury.
Construction Site Accidents
Construction sites are one of the most dangerous places for falling object accidents. Workers often use tools, heavy equipment, and building materials at elevated heights, and if they are not properly secured, these items can fall onto those working below.
Even a small object, like a wrench or a piece of debris, can cause severe head trauma, broken bones, or even fatalities. To prevent these accidents, employers and contractors are responsible for enforcing safety measures, such as using tool lanyards and installing protective barriers.
Retail and Warehouse Hazards
Stores and warehouses may seem like safe environments, but they pose a serious risk when inventory is improperly stacked or unsecured. A customer browsing shelves or an employee restocking products could be struck by falling merchandise, leading to concussions, back injuries, or other harm.
Overloaded or unstable shelving can also collapse, putting multiple people at risk. Businesses must ensure proper storage procedures and inspect shelving to prevent these hazards.
Negligent Property Maintenance
Poorly maintained buildings can create unexpected dangers for employees, residents, and visitors. Loose ceiling tiles, deteriorating structures, or unstable decorations can fall at any time, causing injuries that could have been avoided with proper upkeep.
Property owners and managers have a legal responsibility to maintain safe conditions, and when they fail to do so, they may be held accountable for injuries caused by falling objects.
Defective Equipment
Faulty or improperly installed equipment can lead to objects falling and causing harm. Shelving poorly assembled units, light fixtures that aren’t securely fastened, or display cases that tip over can create significant dangers in workplaces, retail settings, and public spaces.
Manufacturers may also be responsible if a product is designed defectively, leading to instability and preventable accidents. Identifying whether the property owner, installer, or manufacturer is liable can be complex. Still, a falling objects injury lawyer can help investigate the cause and determine who should be held accountable.
Falling object accidents can lead to serious, life-altering injuries, and in some cases, even death. A falling objects injury lawyer can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, and fight for your rights.
Injuries Caused by Falling Objects
Falling objects can cause various injuries, from minor bruises to life-altering conditions. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Head trauma from falling objects can lead to concussions, brain swelling, or permanent cognitive impairment.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Falling debris can damage the spinal cord, potentially causing paralysis or chronic pain.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Impact from heavy objects can break bones in the arms, legs, or ribs.
- Lacerations and Soft Tissue Damage: Sharp objects can cause deep cuts or muscle injuries that require extensive medical treatment.
Seeking immediate medical attention after a falling object injury is crucial. Your medical records will also be key evidence when filing a legal claim.
Who Is Liable for a Falling Object Injury?
Liability for falling objects injuries depends on where the accident occurred, how it happened, and who was responsible for maintaining safety. Multiple parties may be legally accountable for failing to prevent the incident, whether it’s a workplace, a retail store, or a public area.
Understanding who is at fault is crucial for seeking compensation for falling object injury, and a falling object personal injury attorney can help investigate your case and fight for your rights.
Employers and Contractors
Workplaces, especially construction sites, must follow strict safety regulations to prevent falling object accidents. If an employer or contractor ignores safety protocols—such as failing to provide protective gear, secure equipment, or train workers properly—they can be held responsible for injuries.
Even a small tool dropped from above can cause a life-changing injury, making workplace safety a critical issue. If your employer or a third-party contractor was negligent, they should be held accountable for the harm they caused.
Property Owners and Businesses
Unsafe property conditions, like loose ceiling tiles, unstable shelves, or unsecured signage, can lead to falling object injuries. Businesses and property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe premises for employees, customers, and visitors.
When they fail to inspect and fix hazards, they put people at risk. If you were injured in a store, office, or public building due to falling debris or merchandise, the property owner or business may be responsible for your medical expenses and other damages.
Manufacturers
Sometimes, the issue isn’t negligence from an employer or property owner but rather a defective product. If a shelving unit collapses, a scaffold breaks, or a light fixture falls due to a design or manufacturing flaw, the company that made or installed the product could be liable.
In these cases, proving that the defect directly caused the accident is essential, and a top-rated falling object lawyer can help gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case against the manufacturer.
An experienced falling object personal injury attorney will investigate your case, gather evidence, and build a strong claim to hold the negligent party accountable.
Compensation for Falling Object Injuries
Victims of a falling objects injury may be entitled to financial compensation, which can include:
- Medical expenses to cover immediate expenses, like hospitalization and testing, and ongoing treatment, like rehabilitation
- Lost wages for time
- Disability or disfigurement if the accident results in permanent injuries that impact daily life
- Home modifications such as wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, or specialized equipment needed for mobility and independence
- Wrongful death damages to help families cover funeral expenses and the financial loss of a loved one
A falling object accident attorney can evaluate your case and fight for complete and timely compensation for falling object injury, ensuring you have the resources needed for recovery.
How Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A. Can Help
At Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A., we understand personal injury law and a track record of success representing victims of falling object injuries. Our team will:
- Investigate your case thoroughly.
- Identify all liable parties.
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
- If necessary, take your case to court to secure the compensation you need during this challenging time.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Contact Our Falling Objects Injury Lawyer
If a falling object has hurt you, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A. today for a free consultation. Our experienced falling objects injury lawyers are here to fight for your rights and help you recover fair compensation for your losses and expenses. Call us now to get started.