Dr. Akhavan shares insight on seasonal ladder injuries

Via UW Medicine Newsroom

As warmer weather returns to the Pacific Northwest and outdoor projects multiply, the risk of sustaining a serious ladder-related injury increases. Assistant Professor and Harborview Medical Center Medical Director, Dr. Arvin Akhavan, weighed in on the dangers in a new UW Medicine article.

“Basically, if you fall from a height of 8 feet or above, it's really the whole gamut of injuries can happen to you," said Akhavan.

According to UW Medicine, Harborview Medical Center treated 150 people for ladder-related injuries in 2024. Most of those injured were adult men.

“If you have the means to hire someone to get up on a ladder, I think it's the right thing to do," said Akhavan.