As Decks Age, Dangerous Collapses Are on the Rise

With deck collapses on the rise, it is imperative to ensure decks are properly built and maintained. Back and spinal cord injuries are common following deck collapses.

2012-06-29

June 29, 2012 (Press-News.org) With summer just beginning and the Fourth of July quickly approaching, many people are relishing their time outdoors, grilling and lounging with friends and family on outdoor decks. Given the season, it is important for people to be aware of their surroundings and take proper precautions when it comes to deck safety.

The number of deck collapses has been increasing rapidly in recent years, often resulting in personal injuries and even death.

According to the North American Deck and Railing Association, or NADRA, at least 30 people died between 2000 and 2008 as a result of a deck collapse. Typically, when a deck collapses, more than 75 percent of the people on the deck are injured or killed.

Some attribute the rise in deck collapses to the number of older decks in need of repair in the United States. NADRA estimates that there are 40 million decks in the U.S. that are over 20 years old. The concern with older decks is:
- Many were built before new code regulations were established, which made decks uniformly safer.
- Many are weaker after experiencing the weather for many years.
- Some have not been properly maintained over the years.

Most often, a deck will collapse because it is not properly attached to the building when it was built. A piece of wood, called a ledger, is used to fasten decks to buildings. It is critical that decks are properly attached to avoid unexpected collapses.

Occasionally, decks are attached to houses using only nails, rather than a more substantial attachment, such as screws or bolts. Surprisingly, it was permissible to use only nails to attach decks to buildings until 2003. Even when an appropriate screw is used to attach a deck, problems arise when they are not attached to a solid portion of the building.

The worst deck collapse in the United States occurred in Chicago in the summer of 2003. A third-floor porch collapsed, destroying the porches on the floors below as well. Almost 50 people were standing on the deck when it collapsed, and 13 people were killed. The owners of the building had to pay over $100,000 to settle claims against the property and over $4,000 because of code violations discovered on other properties thereafter.

Back and Spinal Injuries Caused by Deck Collapses

The injury rate after deck collapses is extremely high, often resulting in back and spinal injuries that can cause permanent damage.

According to the University of Florida, back injuries account for 37 percent of the injuries incurred following falls from heights. The majority of those injuries, 52 percent, are sprains or strains.

Falls from significant heights often result in spinal cord injuries. The proportion of spinal cord injuries due to falls has increased over time, according to the Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care and Cure. In 2009, falls were the second leading cause of spinal cord injuries, at 26.7 percent, behind only vehicular accidents at 42.1 percent.

Injuries to the spinal cord result in weakness and sensory loss at the point of injury and below. Consequently, symptoms experienced after a spinal cord injury vary greatly depending on the location of the injury, becoming more severe the higher the injury. For instance, spinal cord injuries of the chest or lower back may result in paraplegia, or paralysis of the legs and lower body; whereas, injuries near the neck may result in quadriplegia or paralysis of all four limbs.

Common symptoms from spinal cord injuries include paralysis, numbness and loss of control over certain bodily functions.

Take Steps to Ensure Your Deck Is Safe

Experts suggest a number of ways to ensure a deck is properly secured and maintained, including:
- Inspect the deck regularly, particularly if it is older
- Examine support posts, looking for parts that are rotting or splitting
- Check all fasteners, such as screws and bolts, for rust or corrosion
- Look at the attachment points between the deck and the house

If a deck is moving abnormally or is missing screws or shows signs of rot or corrosion, it may be in distress and require maintenance.

If you are injured in a deck collapse, the homeowner or business property owners may be liable for your injuries. Consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer can ensure your rights are protected.

Article provided by Christiansen Law Offices
Visit us at www.christiansenlaw.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Sex Offenders Fight for their Right to Use Social Media

2012-06-29

Registering and monitoring sex offenders has long been a national issue. Child safety advocates, legislators and law enforcement all believe that sex offenders pose a serious threat public safety, especially to children. Because of that, offenders must report (in person) to police stations on a regular basis and keep them apprised of any residence changes. Offenders are also subject to a number of restrictions based on their respective crime. For instance, they may not live within certain distances from schools, they are ineligible for certain jobs, and they are prohibited ...

How to Avoid a Bad Outcome in a Hospital--Don't Get Sick

2012-06-29

As impractical as that suggestion is, it remains the one sure method of avoiding problems in the average U.S. Hospital. One Death Is a Tragedy, A Thousand, a Statistic While many claim the United States has the gold standard of medical care, for 30,000 patients a year, it provides a death sentence. The AARP has published a story on hospital safety and they used this image to describe the magnitude of the problem: "The number of patients who die each year from preventable hospital errors is equal to four full jumbo jets crashing each week." Not in ...

Oregon's Cell Phone Laws for Drivers Tighten Up

2012-06-29

Oregon lawmakers recently strengthened safeguards for travelers on the state's roads by updating the state law banning cell phone use while driving. Dangers of Distracted Driving According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Board, in 2010 over 3,000 people died in accidents involving distracted driving. The NHTSB has recommended a ban on all drivers' use of all portable electronic devices regardless of whether drivers use a headset, another hands-free method or use hand-held devices. The Board recognizes that a full ban on the use of electronic gadgets ...

Safety Standards Must Be Enforced to Protect Construction Workers

2012-06-29

New York construction workers face hazards every day they are on the job. Fortunately, federal laws set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and state safety regulators are there to help keep construction sites as safe as possible. In one recent case that highlights the importance of vigilant safety enforcement on the jobsite, a worker fell 80 feet from a 118-foot high scaffold. The preliminary OSHA investigation found several serious violations of safety regulations that, if followed, might have prevented the accident. The company for whom ...

Tennessee Legislature Expands Crimes Subject to Expungement

2012-06-29

The Tennessee legislature has amended the expungement statute to include a variety of nonviolent, non-sexual crimes. This law, effective July 1, 2012, will give ex-offenders the ability to clear their criminal record. The legislation was introduced by Senator Reginald Tate and Representative Karen Camper. Chapter 1103 allows those convicted of certain nonviolent misdemeanors to apply for expungement (also known as expunction). The law requires that five years have passed since the completion of the sentence and that the offender has completed any additional requirements ...

Be on the Safe Side: Pay Attention to Product Recalls

2012-06-29

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission wants consumers across California and around the country to be on the lookout for dangerous or recalled products. The CPSC routinely issues nationwide recalls for a variety of commonly used products. Consumers can generally return defective products to the store where they were originally purchased for a refund, exchange them for a non-defective item or obtain replacement parts free of charge. Warnings Ignored A spokesman for consumer safety watchdog group Kids in Danger warns parents and other caregivers that the great ...

Congress Considers Cybercrime Legislation for Infrastructure

2012-06-29

Under a new bill in Congress, companies with responsibility for important sections of the private infrastructure would have to meet security standards set by the department of Homeland Security. Cybercrime encompasses a broad range of computer related activities, from credit card theft to Denial of Service attacks on websites and hacking of computer systems to obtain confidential data. The focus of this legislation is infrastructure, some of it operated by private entities, like financial networks, rail switching networks and the electrical grid. The Department ...

Summertime Blues: Teen Driving and the Risk of Accidents and Injury

2012-06-29

Summer is the riskiest time for a teen driver. All the usual suspects are present between Memorial and Labor Day, from newly minted drivers with little experience to increased traffic on the roads. The leading cause of death for teens is automobile crashes. While it is oft stated, given what is at stake--the lives of children, it cannot be overstated. AAA reports that while teens make up only seven percent of licensed drivers, they account for one out of every five fatal motor vehicle crashes. Their lack of experience exacerbates all of the other problems encountered ...

Child Endangerment Can Increase Ohio OVI Criminal Penalties

2012-06-29

Ohio, like all other states, does not allow operation of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In addition, Ohio courts can enhance the sentence for operating a vehicle while impaired, or OVI, if a child under the age of 18 is in the vehicle at the time of the offense. One Ohio woman was recently accused of such an enhanced OVI crime. Allegedly, Mindy Sotak was operating her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. She backed into another vehicle while exiting a local WalMart parking lot. An officer was at the scene addressing another issue and ...

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber Introduces New Associate

2012-06-29

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber is pleased to announce that Daniel Frech recently joined the firm as an associate. His primary practice areas will include commercial litigation, civil rights law and personal injury. Prior to joining the firm, Dan worked as a private practitioner focusing on employment, civil, construction, and securities litigation. Previous to that, he spent three years as an associate with international law firm Jones Day, where he practiced business litigation, including contract disputes, patent disputes, civil and criminal antitrust matters, shareholder ...

As Decks Age, Dangerous Collapses Are on the Rise

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: