When a construction site keeps working, evidence can disappear quickly. Your best protection is to act early and document what you can while you’re able.
If you’re physically able:
- Photograph the area from multiple angles (scaffold access points, decking/planks, guardrails, toe boards, and any fall-protection gear).
- Write down what you remember: how you got onto the scaffold, what you were doing at the moment of the fall, and whether anything felt loose, missing, or blocked.
- Identify witnesses (including co-workers and anyone nearby). In Akron, falls can also involve public-adjacent work—people near store fronts, building entries, or sidewalks.
If you were told to give a statement:
- Don’t guess. Don’t speculate about fault.
- Ask for time to review what’s being requested. Insurance and employers often want recorded statements quickly, and early answers can be used later.


