When most people think about scaffold accidents, they picture a worker falling from a great height. Falls are one of the most common and dangerous outcomes of scaffold failures. But they’re not the only hazard.
In Texas construction sites, scaffold failures can cause injuries in ways that have nothing to do with a fall. Collapses, falling tools, electrocutions, and other dangers can harm not only the workers on the scaffold but also those below and even passersby. Understanding these risks is the first step in protecting yourself or taking action if you’ve been hurt. Here's what you need to know.
What is scaffolding, and why is it risky?
Scaffolding is a temporary elevated work platform made from metal tubes, couplers, planks, and braces. It allows construction crews to reach areas they couldn’t otherwise access. Whether it’s a high-rise project in Dallas or a home repair in a small Texas town, scaffolding makes it possible to get the job done efficiently, but it also comes with built-in risks.
There are several types of scaffolds:
- Supported scaffolds, built from the ground up.
- Suspended scaffolds, which hang from the top of a building by ropes or cables.
- Rolling scaffolds, which can be moved to different areas.
Because scaffolds are temporary, their safety depends on proper assembly, correct load limits, and regular inspections. Texas weather can also create extra hazards, especially high winds or sudden storms.
Why do scaffolds fail?
A scaffold can fail for many reasons, including:
- Improper assembly: Missing cross-braces, unsecured planks, or unstable bases can compromise the structure's integrity.
- Overloading: Putting too much weight on the scaffold, such as heavy equipment or stacks of materials, can cause it to buckle.
- Environmental hazards: Strong winds, heavy rain, or corrosion from moisture can make scaffolds unstable.
- Defective or damaged components: If the scaffold parts are cracked, bent, or poorly manufactured, they may fail under normal use.
- Lack of proper anchoring: Scaffolds must be tied securely to the building at set intervals; if this is skipped, the structure can sway or tip.
- Skipped inspections: OSHA requires scaffolds to be checked daily by a competent person. When this doesn’t happen, problems can go unnoticed until it’s too late.
What other injuries can happen besides those from falls?
Falls may grab the headlines, but scaffold failures can cause a range of serious injuries:
- Structural collapse injuries: When a scaffold gives way, workers and bystanders can be buried under metal poles and planks. Crush injuries, broken bones, or even fatalities can happen in seconds.
- Struck-by accident injuries: Tools, buckets, bricks, or parts of the scaffold can fall from high above, striking workers or pedestrians below. Even small objects can cause severe head or spinal injuries when dropped from a height.
- Electrocution: In some Texas job sites, scaffolds are set up close to power lines. If the metal frame comes into contact with live wires, anyone touching it can suffer a deadly shock. Faulty power tools on a scaffold can also create electrical hazards.
- Caught-in or caught-between injuries: Hands, feet, or clothing can get trapped between scaffold parts during assembly or when the structure shifts unexpectedly. Workers can also be pinned between the scaffold and another object, such as the side of a building.
- Material spills and chemical exposure: Paint, solvents, sealants, or cleaning chemicals can spill from a scaffold, causing burns, respiratory problems, or eye injuries.
Who is at risk when scaffolds fail?
It’s not just the workers on the platform who can be harmed. Others at risk include:
- Crew members working below or near the scaffold.
- Pedestrians passing by the job site.
- Delivery drivers bringing supplies.
- Building occupants if debris crashes into windows or balconies.
How can these accidents be prevented?
Prevention starts with strict compliance with OSHA standards and Texas workplace safety laws. That means:
- Only trained and qualified workers should assemble, move, or dismantle scaffolds.
- Scaffolds must be inspected before each shift.
- Load limits must be clearly posted and enforced.
- Guardrails, toe boards, and fall protection should be used where required.
- Work should be stopped during severe weather.
- Pedestrian areas under scaffolds should be blocked off or protected with debris nets or canopies.
What are my legal rights after a scaffold accident in Texas?
If you’re injured in a scaffold accident in Texas, you may have several legal avenues for seeking compensation. While workers’ compensation – if your employer carries it – can help cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault, it isn’t the only option.
Many cases involve third-party injury claims, where someone other than your employer, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, played a role in the accident.
These claims can provide compensation for losses workers’ comp doesn’t cover, including pain and suffering. In some situations, a product liability claim may be appropriate if the scaffold’s design was defective or a manufacturing flaw caused it to fail.
Similarly, premises liability claims may arise if unsafe property conditions, like unstable ground or hazardous surroundings, contributed to the collapse. By exploring all potential claim types, you can increase your chances of securing full and fair compensation.
An experienced Texas construction accident lawyer will know how to build a strong case by:
- Gathering site inspection reports, training records, and maintenance logs.
- Interviewing witnesses and co-workers.
- Reviewing OSHA or Texas Department of Insurance safety violation reports.
- Consulting engineering and safety experts to explain how and why the scaffold failed.
- Preserving defective scaffold parts for testing.
**The Herrera Law Firm doesn't accept workers' compensation cases, but we do handle third-party claims related to construction accidents, including scaffolding accidents.
Get trusted legal help after a scaffolding accident in Texas
If you were injured in a scaffolding accident, the stakes couldn’t be higher. However, the right legal team can help you level the playing field. The San Antonio construction accident lawyers at The Herrera Law Firm know how quickly these accidents can turn your life upside down.
You may face costly medical bills, lost income, and prolonged recovery. Our attorneys have the experience, resources, and relentless drive to uncover exactly what went wrong, identify every liable party, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
When you work with our law firm, you never pay up front for our services. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t owe us a dime unless we win your case.
That gives you the freedom to focus on healing while we handle every step of your claim. We also offer free, no-obligation consultations so you can get answers and a clear plan forward without any financial risk.
We proudly serve San Antonio, Bexar County, and communities across Texas. Our team understands the challenges workers face on construction sites and the legal complications that follow a scaffolding injury.
Contact us online or call today and let us fight for your future while you focus on recovery.
