If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Stay down and check yourself. Don't get up quickly.
- 2Call 911 for a head injury, neck or back pain, numbness or tingling, a deformed limb, or if you can't stand.
- 3Have a coworker stay with you and keep you still if your neck or back hurts.
- 4Set the ladder aside without repairing it. Note its type, height and condition.
- 5Tell your supervisor and report the fall in writing. Keep a copy.
- 6Photograph the ladder, the surface it was on, and what it was leaning against, if it's safe.
- 7Write down what you were reaching for or carrying and who saw it.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Ladder falls happen to electricians, roofers, painters, stockers, maintenance workers and many others. In your report, describe the ladder and setup: stepladder or extension, a slippery or uneven floor, a ladder that was too short, a broken foot or rung, or no one footing it.
Keep the ladder if you can, or ask your employer to keep it. If it belonged to a general contractor or another company, write that down.
Your employer generally sends the report to its insurer or claims administrator. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Keep medical paperwork, photos, and a log of pain and missed work.
Getting medical care
Care may begin at an emergency department or urgent care. Follow-up is often with orthopedics, spine care, or neurology and concussion care, with physical therapy afterward. A licensed clinician decides what imaging and care are appropriate after an evaluation.
Tell the clinician how high you fell, how you landed, and whether you hit your head. Mention every area that hurts, including wrists and heels. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your employer or adjuster.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many can be filled nearby or delivered to your home.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- You have broken bones, a back injury or a head injury that keeps you off work.
- The ladder was defective or broke.
- The ladder or site belonged to another company or general contractor.
- You're blamed for the fall or told it wasn't work-related.
- Your claim is denied or delayed.
- You can't return to work that involves climbing.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow your care plan and keep therapy visits. Tell your clinicians about new symptoms, including headaches or pain that spreads.
Ask your doctor about restrictions on ladders, heights, lifting and standing. Ask your employer about ground-level work while you heal.
Keep your supervisor and adjuster updated after each appointment. If climbing makes you nervous now, mention it to your clinician.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: Do I need imaging of my back, wrist or heel?
- Doctor: Could I have a concussion?
- Doctor: When can I climb ladders again?
- Employer: Will you keep the ladder so it can be inspected?
- Employer: Is ground-level work available?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and who do I see for follow-up?
- Attorney: The ladder's foot broke. Does that change anything?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I fell off a ladder at work?
Stay still and call 911 for a head injury, neck or back pain, numbness or a deformed limb. Get checked by a clinician even for a short fall. Report it in writing and keep the ladder.
Is falling off a ladder at work covered by workers' comp?
Ladder falls on the job are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
Can a short ladder fall cause serious injury?
Yes, even falls from a few rungs can cause fractures, back injuries or concussions. How you land matters. Get evaluated.
What if the ladder was broken or defective?
Keep the ladder if you can and tell your supervisor. A defective ladder may raise questions beyond workers' compensation. Many people talk with an attorney.
What injuries are common in ladder falls?
Wrist and arm fractures, heel and ankle injuries, back injuries and head injuries are common. Some aren't obvious right away. A full evaluation helps.
When can I go back to climbing after a ladder fall?
Your clinician decides when it's safe. Ask for written restrictions. Your employer may offer ground-level work meanwhile.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).