Defective Industrial Products

Tools and equipment used in industrial settings that can lead to legal claims include vehicles, forklifts and other lift devices, machinery such as wood and metal lathes and grinders, solvents and other chemicals, and many others.  Non-approved use of otherwise proper equipment, tools and chemicals is a common cause of industrial accidents.

     Scaffolding

According to OSHA:  In 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reported 88 fatalities occurred in the year 2007 from scaffolds, staging. In a Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) study, 72% of workers injured in scaffold accidents attributed the accident either to the planking or support giving way, or to the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object. All of these can be controlled by compliance with OSHA standards.

     Ladders and Stairways

Stairways and ladders are a significant source of injuries and death among construction workers.

OSHA estimates that there are about 25,000 injuries and about 36 deaths per year due to falls from stairways and ladders used in construction projects. Nearly half of these injuries are serious enough to require time off the job. Data demonstrate that work on and near ladders and stairways is hazardous. Additionally, they show that compliance with OSHA's requirements for the safe use of ladders and stairways could have prevented many injuries.

The OSHA rules apply to all stairways and ladders used in construction, alteration, repair (including painting and decorating), and demolition of work sites covered by OSHA's construction safety and health standards. They also specify when stairways and ladders must be provided. They do not apply to ladders that are specifically manufactured for scaffold access and egress, but do apply to job-made and manufactured portable ladders intended for general purpose use and which are then used for scaffold access and egress.    

     Lawyer Evaluation

If you or a loved-one has been injured by a defective or dangerous product, it is important to have a lawyer evaluate any claim you may have. The law provides strict deadlines for bringing claims relating to defective or dangerous products. A Washington or Oregon lawyer with experience in products claims at our firm can provide a free consultation to discuss injuries, claims and your rights.