The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) provides specific regulations for the construction of safe scaffolds. This includes requirements for safely constructing tubular scaffold components. These components include scaffold frames, cross braces, planks, guardrails and toeboards. All are required to prevent Chicago personal injury by federal regulation.
Morici, Longo & Associates is currently preparing to file a lawsuit on behalf of a Chicago union bricklayer who was caused to fall eight feet from a tubular scaffold platform as a result of the failure to follow safe scaffolding construction practices. The 35 year old injured tradesman suffered a fracture to his spine, a traumatic brain injury, a fractured elbow as well as other internal injuries.
The injury occurred due to the general contractor's failure to require that the scaffolding be erected safely. The tubular scaffold in question was erected without the necessary cross braces being in place. This failure permitted the scaffold frames to separate causing the scaffold planks upon which the bricklayer was standing to slip from their bearing points and fall. Contributing to the separation of the scaffold was the fact that the scaffold planks were not wired or tied to the frame in order to keep them free from displacement.
The injured Chicago personal injury victim continues to be treated by orthopaedic surgeons and is engaged in rehabilitation therapy. The failures of the general contractor will be listed in a complaint soon to be filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Morici, Longo & Associates is a Chicago personal injury and workers compensation firm representing the seriously injured in construction site accidents, motor vehicle collisions, and products liability injury claims.