Maison Law can guide you through the workers’ compensation claims process after a workplace injury in Glendale. While there are injury risks with every workplace, certain equipment brings more injury risk than others–especially scaffolding. When scaffolding issues lead to you being hurt, workers’ comp benefits can help you get back to work–and normal. We can help you with it from start to finish. Set up a free consultation today.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
You don’t have to get a lawyer to file a workers’ compensation claim in Glendale, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need one. In fact, the more serious your injuries are–and they can be pretty serious if it involves scaffolding–the more help you’ll likely need. That’s where our team can step in and help you with:
- Understanding your options and how the process works.
- Keeping things moving so you don’t get stuck in red tape or left waiting.
- Getting the documents and information that’s going to help your claim.
- Dealing directly with the insurance company–whether that means pushing for better benefits or holding them to a fair settlement.
- Stepping in if your claim is delayed or denied.
Scaffolding injuries can throw your whole life off balance—not just physically, but financially and emotionally, too. Our job is to take the pressure off when it comes to the claim, so you can focus on healing and getting your routine back. And that process starts right after the accident.
What Information Will Help My Workers’ Comp Claim After a Scaffolding Injury?
The last thing you’re probably thinking about after an injury from scaffolding is paperwork and records. With that said, the foundation of your claim is going to be built on this exact thing. So, here’s what you can put together for a strong claim:
- An accident report – Start by telling your supervisor what happened. Do it as soon as possible, even if you’re still unsure how serious the injury is. This gets the process moving and makes it easier to show the injury was work-related. If your job has official forms, ask to fill one out or make sure your supervisor documents it.
- Medical records that tie your injury to the accident – Go to the doctor as soon as you can—even if the injury seems manageable at first. Quick treatment doesn’t just help your recovery; it creates a medical paper trail. Keep all your records: ER notes, test results, prescriptions, referrals. These will play a big role in your claim.
- Visual evidence – If it’s safe to do so, take pictures of the scaffolding, the job site, or your injuries. If the site had cameras, ask if there’s footage available. Visuals can help tell the story in ways that written records sometimes can’t.
- A timeline – Jot down key dates: when the accident happened, when you reported it, when you got medical treatment, and any updates. This timeline helps keep your story clear and consistent, especially if there are delays or pushback from insurance.
- Witness statements – If coworkers or anyone else saw the fall or the conditions leading up to it, ask them to write a short note or even send a quick text explaining what they saw. Firsthand accounts can help confirm what happened and why.
- Missed work/paychecks – Keep track of every missed day on the job and any pay you didn’t get while you were taking time off. This is important if you’re seeking temporary disability payments or any kind of income support through your claim.
You don’t need to have every detail figured out right away. But the more of this information you can gather, the smoother your claim process is likely to be—and the harder it is for anyone to question your injury.
What Causes Scaffolding Injuries in the Workplace?
It sounds simple, but there’s actually a lot that can hurt you when a scaffold doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. Falls from heights is the most stark example, but again, that’s not the only way you could be injured:
- Poor maintenance – Scaffolding has to hold a lot of weight—workers, tools, and heavy building materials. When it’s not kept in good shape, it becomes a danger. Rusted frames, loose screws, or worn-out braces can make the whole setup shaky. Over time, even small issues can add up. If no one catches them, the platform can give out or collapse altogether.
- Not inspecting the scaffold – There’s regulations in place when it comes to inspecting scaffolds under both state and federal OSHA laws. But in a rush to get things done, those safety checks sometimes get skipped. Maybe a guardrail’s missing. Maybe a board’s starting to crack. If no one catches it, workers end up trusting a setup that isn’t safe.
- Working in dangerous conditions – Even a solid scaffold becomes risky in the wrong environment. Rain can make planks slick. Strong winds can knock you off balance. Dim lighting, cluttered walkways, or nearby live wires all make things worse. When the worksite itself isn’t safe, scaffolding just adds another layer of danger.
- Using defective parts or planks – Sometimes it’s not the setup—it’s the parts. If a plank is cracked or a joint is faulty, the scaffold might look fine–but it isn’t. Reusing damaged boards or cutting corners on materials can make an entire structure unstable. And the person who pays for that mistake is usually the one standing on it.
With something as important as scaffolding, you would hope that everything would be above board. And while it largely is, shortcuts can be taken and you could be one that’s left injured because of it. But even with injuries, you have options.
What Claims Options Do You Have After a Scaffolding Accident?
Falls and accidents involving scaffolding can happen in an instant—but the recovery process is anything but fast. From broken bones to long-term mobility issues, these injuries can leave you with mounting bills and no clear path forward. The good news is, you do have options under California law. Here’s a look at the two main options available to you after one of these accidents at your job:
- Filing a workers’ comp claim – California’s workers’ compensation system is designed to help workers that have been injured on the job—regardless of who caused the accident. So even if no one was “at fault,” you could still get benefits like:
- Medical care from an approved workers’ comp doctor
- Temporary disability payments while you’re recovering
- Long-term or permanent disability support if the injury causes lasting limitations
- Job retraining if you can’t return to the same kind of work
Scaffolding injuries are often clear-cut, but that doesn’t mean the claims process is smooth. You’ll still need to show that the injury happened while you were working and that it requires real medical care. That’s where keeping strong documentation can make a difference.
- Personal injury claim – While most job-related injuries are handled through workers’ comp, there are situations where a separate legal claim may also be possible. This usually applies when a third party—not your direct employer—was responsible for unsafe conditions. For example:
- A subcontractor set up the scaffolding improperly
- A faulty part or defect caused the structure to collapse
- A general contractor ignored safety standards on the site
In these cases, you may be able to file a personal injury claim alongside your workers’ comp claim–which usually means an insurance claim or a lawsuit. That could open the door to recovering “damages” like:
- Full coverage for medical expenses (now and in the future)
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death expenses for fatal accidents
An insurance claim or a lawsuit follows a different process and both have strict deadlines—usually two years from the date of the injury. If there’s even a chance that someone outside your company played a role in the accident, it’s worth exploring all your legal options.
Contact Maison Law After a Scaffolding Injury at Work in Glendale
Scaffolding accidents can change everything in a moment—especially when they happen high off the ground or in fast-paced construction zones. At Maison Law, we help injured workers in Glendale take the right next steps. Whether your path is through workers’ comp, a third-party injury claim, or both, we’re here to guide you through it.
If you’ve been hurt on a scaffold, we’ll help you understand your rights and what kind of support may be available. Let’s talk through your situation in a free consultation.
