3 Injured When Construction Scaffolding Collapses onto Hollywood Sidewalk

When pedestrians walk down the sidewalk, the hope is that they can do so safely, without any incident. However, many times construction sites can put not only workers, but also passing pedestrians at risk of injury. This was the case this week in Hollywood, where a section of scaffolding collapsed on to the sidewalk injuring three people.

According to ABC 7 News, a large section of scaffolding on the outside of a six-story building under construction collapsed around 2:15 a.m. The building was located on the 6700 block of Selma Avenue in Hollywood. The falling objects struck victims below—one victim was hit in the head. Two of those injured were treated at the scene by emergency personnel, but one victim had to be transferred to the hospital due to more serious injuries.

The construction crew working on the building arrived later and began clean-up of the collapsed scaffolding. At this point, the exact cause of the collapse is unknown, however police say it was very windy at the time of the collapse. However, if the collapse occurred due to the negligence of the construction company, they may be liable for the injuries they caused in this Hollywood personal injury accident.

Construction Negligence and Personal Injury Claims

When performing construction in a specific location, the head of the construction site or site owner has the responsibility to keep the site safe not only for workers, but also for innocent bystander. The site must be maintained in a way that prevents danger, especially to those walking by the worksite—the site itself should be clean and free from hazards. To maintain a safe site, some things the head/owner of the construction site should do include: put up protective covering over walkways, use proper barricades, secure loose equipment (even small items like nails, bolts, and screws), ensure scaffolding is stable and secure, and post warning signs.

If a construction site or materials around the site is improperly maintained, people can get hurt like in this case. If negligence is the cause of the injury, the construction company or owner will be liable to those injured. If you or someone you care about is injured as a pedestrian by a falling object from a construction site, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your injuries. The tricky part in these cases is identifying the exact party or parties to bring the claim against. Possible responsible parties could include the owner, the construction company, or the contractor.

If you are facing this situation, it is advised that you speak with an experienced Southern California personal injury attorney. At Walch Law, we have years of experience representing those injured in all types of accidents. We can speak to you about your case and help you determine who to file a claim with or which of multiple parties may be liable for your injuries.