Delaware Workers’ Compensation Claims for Scissor Lift Accidents

By Jeffrey S. Friedman | June 27, 2017

Workers Compensation A scissor lift is a motorized scaffolding piece of equipment used in construction, manufacturing, utility repairs, tree cutting, and other industries. While scissor lifts may help workers perform tasks at high heights, falls can cause deaths and serious injuries. At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, our workers’ compensation lawyers in Wilmington, Newark, and Seaford fight to get injured workers, and the families of deceased workers, all the benefits they are allowed.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), scissor lift accidents happen because of poor positioning of the lift, failing to stabilize the lifts, a lack of training on how to use the lifts, and not having strategies in place to minimize injuries if a fall occurs. The OSHA guidelines are useful to prevent the injuries from happening. Fault, though, is not required to obtain Delaware workers’ compensation benefits.

If an accident happens at work, for any reason, the injured worker is entitled  to 2/3 of his/her lost wages until he/she can return to work, the cost of all reasonable medical surgeries, visits, medications, and equipment. If the worker suffers a permanent injury, then an experienced Delaware work injury lawyer will demand the appropriate benefits, including additional wage loss compensation and vocational rehabilitation costs. If death occurs, the family should be entitled to wage loss benefits and reimbursement for funeral and burial costs.

Safety tips for scissor lifts

OSHA recommends the following protective measures for the use of scissor lifts:

  • Proper training. Training should include understanding how to move the lift vertically and horizontally, what weight restrictions apply, and what objects, other than humans, can be on the lifts. The employer should have and should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Only experienced workers should be allowed to operate the lift.
  • Fall protection. Lifts should be equipped with secure guardrails. Workers should be able to reach for their tools and equipment without risking a fall. There are federal safety regulations that should be followed.
  • Lift stability. The lifts shouldn’t shake. Lifts should be operated electronically, not manually. The lifts should be placed on level areas – not slopes or areas where there are holes or debris. Lifts should only be used when the weather is clear. Winds of 28 mph or more are considered unsafe.
  • Correct positioning. Scissor lifts shouldn’t be near any loose wires. They shouldn’t be positioned where an employee could be pinned against a wall or equipment. Moving trucks and cars should not be allowed near the lift. The lifts should be clear of any utility lines or any spot where an electrical spark could jump to the lift, cutting off its ability to operate.

Scissor lifts should be routinely inspected and repaired according to manufacturer specifications.

If you suffered a workplace injury due to a scissor lift accident or any workplace accident, you have the right to get immediate medical help and 2/3 of your wages after a brief waiting period. If a loved one was killed, the family has rights too. To speak with a caring Delaware work injury lawyer at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, please phone us at 302-888-2900 or use our contact form to make an appointment. Our teams in Wilmington, Newark, and Seaford are experienced workers’ compensation lawyers.

Posted in Workers Compensation