Battle Born Injury Lawyers | July 1, 2025 | Workers’ Compensation
Scissor lifts raise workers to high areas on job sites, and many trades rely on this equipment every day. Although these machines help with accessing difficult-to-reach places, they also present real dangers. Workers face serious risks when operators ignore safety rules or when equipment fails. Most serious injuries caused by scissor lift accidents in Nevada involve careless use, mechanical failure, or unsafe site conditions.
How Scissor Lift Accidents Happen
Scissor lift accidents often start with avoidable mistakes due to employee or employer error. Some employees skip routine safety checks, and others ignore the manufacturer’s limits.
Power lines also pose deadly risks. If a lift touches a live wire, the worker may suffer electrocution. In other cases, a lift may fall over because of wind or uneven ground. Without guardrails or fall protection, workers can fall from high platforms.
Poor training makes these problems worse. Workers who do not understand how to control the lift or secure the base create more risk for others.
Common Injuries from Lift Failures
Falls from scissor lifts often lead to severe injuries. A worker without a harness may suffer traumatic injuries from a fall. These falls can cause broken bones, spinal damage, or brain injuries. Some workers never return to full strength.
Crush injuries also happen when lifts collapse or tip over. A falling platform may trap a worker underneath. In some cases, moving parts catch a hand or foot. These injuries can destroy nerves or blood vessels in seconds.
Electrocution injuries may cause burns, cardiac damage, and nerve injuries. Recovering from these injuries can take time; some workers never fully recover from them.
After a lift accident, many workers also report trauma, and some suffer from fear or anxiety. These effects linger, even after bones mend or wounds close.
Safety Features That Often Fail
Scissor lifts include built-in protections. Still, those features may fail without warning. Safety interlocks, for example, exist to stop movement on unstable ground. When these systems malfunction, a lift may move anyway.
Guardrails may also break or loosen over time. Poor maintenance or careless setup renders them useless. Without firm rails, one small misstep can lead to disaster.
Stabilizers also fail. A worker may forget to deploy them. The unit may arrive at the job site with damaged parts, and if the base shifts, the platform may tilt or fall. Without a solid base, nothing above remains secure.
What to Do After a Scissor Lift Injury at Work
After a scissor lift injury, you should focus on getting the medical help you need. A supervisor must secure the area and document what happened. Someone should take photos and gather the names of any witnesses. These records you maintain may help with any future claim.
Next, the injured worker must tell the employer about the injury. This notice must go on file right away. Doctors’ records and receipts will help prove the cost of the injury. Workers should keep all of these records in one place.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Henderson Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Battle Born Injury Lawyers
If you have been injured in a workplace accident caused by a scissor lift, you may be able to recover compensation by filing a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation laws vary by state. Some provide wage replacement, others cover medical expenses, and the rules can be confusing.
Getting legal advice helps you understand your rights and avoid costly mistakes. Contact Battle Born Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a workers’ compensation lawyer.
We have four convenient locations in Nevada, including Las Vegas, Henderson, and Reno.
We proudly serve Clark County and its surrounding areas.
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Downtown Las Vegas Office
400 S 4th St Suite 290,
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 357-4868
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Las Vegas Office
10789 W Twain Ave #100
Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 570-9000
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Reno Office
675 W Moana Ln #206
Reno, NV 89509, USA
(775) 535-7768
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Henderson Office
8540 S Eastern Ave #200
Henderson, NV 89123
(702) 500-0287
