The Case
A worker was on a vessel or maritime structure when a piece of loose scaffolding fell approximately 100 feet and struck him in the leg. The impact caused severe soft-tissue injuries—damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other non-bony structures.
Soft-tissue injuries from this type of high-impact trauma can be debilitating. They often involve extensive tearing, crushing, or destruction of tissue that requires multiple surgeries, lengthy rehabilitation, and can result in permanent loss of function or chronic pain.
Maritime and vessel work environments are governed by specific safety regulations. Equipment like scaffolding must be properly secured. When materials are left loose at height, they become dangerous projectiles that can kill or seriously injure workers below.
The plaintiff pursued a claim based on the failure to properly secure scaffolding and maintain a safe work environment.
The Defense
Other law firms had declined this case. The reason: the plaintiff had pending criminal charges at the time of the injury.
Defense attorneys and some plaintiff firms assume that jurors will not be sympathetic to someone with a criminal record or pending charges. They worry that the plaintiff’s credibility will be attacked and that jurors will discount or dismiss the claim based on bias.
This assumption is not always correct. People with criminal histories can still be victims of negligence. The legal standard does not require a plaintiff to be morally perfect—it requires the defendant to exercise reasonable care.
The Resolution
The case settled for $580,000. The settlement compensated the plaintiff for the severe soft-tissue injuries, medical treatment, and lasting effects on his ability to work and function.
Why These Cases Matter
Falling objects are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in maritime and construction environments. A piece of scaffolding falling 100 feet carries enormous force. The fact that this plaintiff survived is fortunate—these incidents often result in death.
Safety protocols exist to prevent these accidents. Scaffolding must be inspected, secured, and maintained. When companies cut corners or fail to enforce basic safety measures, workers pay the price with their bodies.
A person’s criminal history or pending charges do not give employers or property owners the right to provide unsafe work conditions. Everyone deserves a workplace free from preventable hazards.
Some law firms decline cases based on assumptions about how a jury will perceive a plaintiff. These decisions may be based more on bias than on a careful assessment of the facts and the law. Every case deserves individual evaluation.
If you were seriously injured at work due to unsafe conditions—particularly in maritime, vessel, or construction environments—contact us even if other firms have turned you down. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis—there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.