Falling objects can pose a substantial risk to workers and unsuspecting passersby. These incidents can cause significant physical, emotional, and financial harm. They may lead to serious injuries with lifelong ramifications. In some cases, falling object injuries can result in death.
Where Do Falling Object Accidents Occur, and What Causes Them?
Falling object accidents most typically occur on worksites. The construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries are particularly prone to this type of accident. However, any workplace that uses heavy objects or machinery or involves working at heights can present a risk of falling object accidents. The falling objects themselves may include tools, materials, and debris. Employers and workers must take care to establish safety perimeters around worksites and take precautions to avoid creating conditions that increase the risk of falling objects.
Poorly maintained buildings also pose a risk of falling object accidents. Bricks, signs, window panes, and other materials can come off old buildings that have fallen into disrepair. An extreme example of this would be an old wall collapsing. But what’s far more common is a piece of masonry or other building material coming loose and striking someone.
Natural events like earthquakes and storms can also result in falling objects. These events can cause structural damage which, if not repaired, can increase the risk of objects coming loose.
Serious Injuries Caused by Falling Objects
Falling object injuries can be severe for a few reasons. These objects can be heavy, and the farther they fall, the faster they will move, resulting in a harder impact. Additionally, falling objects are most likely to strike a victim in the head, which can lead to especially severe injuries.
The following are some of the severe injuries falling objects can cause:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – When an object strikes the head with sufficient force, it can damage the brain. These injuries can range from mild concussions to severe, life-altering brain damage. Traumatic brain injuries require immediate medical attention and often require extensive rehabilitation.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – A falling object striking your head or back can damage your spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, affecting your mobility and daily life.
- Fractured and Broken Bones – Falling objects may fracture and break bones due to their weight and the force with which they strike individuals below.
- Internal Injuries – While traumatic brain injuries are some of the most common injuries resulting from falling objects, they’re not the only internal injuries you could suffer. Depending on where the object strikes, you could experience internal bleeding or organ damage. These kinds of injuries aren’t always immediately apparent, which is why you must seek medical care right away.
- Lacerations and Abrasions – Blunt force trauma isn’t the only risk presented by falling objects. These objects may also be sharp and cause deep cuts. Being struck by a sharp object increases the risk of blood loss, infection, and scarring.
- Fatal Injuries – In some tragic cases, the injuries caused by a falling object result in the victim’s death. When this happens, the victim’s family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim against the property owner, business, or other party whose negligence caused the accident that killed their loved one.
Contact Our Walnut Creek Falling Objects Injury Lawyers
Were you injured by a falling object in Walnut Creek? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and both physical and emotional trauma.
To get started on your case, contact the law office of Casper, Meadows, Schwartz, & Cook for a free consultation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can file your claim, negotiate with insurance providers, and manage the details of your case.