While falls are among some of the most severe accidents in residential and commercial roofing projects, roofers also face several other risks on the job. Critically, roofers may encounter hazards connected with the elements, power lines, falling debris, and power tools. Unfortunately, roofing accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, lifelong debilitation, and permanent disability. Although roofers cannot sue their employers for injuries suffered on the job, they may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against a third party to recover their damages.
Common Roof Fall Injuries
Roofers face inherent risks on the job each day. No matter how many safety precautions a roofer might take, accidents can still occur due to the carelessness, recklessness, or negligence of another. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roofers have the third-highest rate of fatal work injuries after fishing/hunting workers and logging workers.
Depending upon the facts and circumstances of the accident, a roofer may sustain the following injuries:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Electrocution
- Amputation
These injuries can cause a victim to require substantial medical treatment, including surgery and physical rehabilitation. A roofer may also lose time from work and, off the job, be unable to participate in the activities they once enjoyed due to their injuries. In such cases, they may recover their damages by filing a personal injury action against a third party who should be held accountable.
Compensation for a Roofing Accident
If you’re a roofer who was hurt in a work-related accident, Worker’s Compensation will typically cover medical costs and a portion of lost wages for on-the-job related injuries — but it usually isn’t enough to cover the full extent of a victim’s losses. It also doesn’t provide compensation for the pain and suffering a victim experiences in connection with their injuries. In the event that a third party’s negligent conduct caused or contributed to your injuries, you may be eligible to recover both your economic and non-economic damages by filing a personal injury action.
It’s important to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted to determine liability. In some cases, more than one party may be held accountable for your damages. Each responsible party should be identified to help make sure you receive the compensation to which you’re entitled.
An award of economic damages in a roofing accident lawsuit is meant to cover the monetary losses from your injuries. These can include the lost wages you suffered from being out of work while you recovered from your injuries, the costs of medical care, and out-of-pocket expenses.
A roofing accident victim may also be able to recover compensation for the non-economic damages they experienced. Although this category of damages is much more difficult to quantify, it includes things such as pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and emotional distress.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you’re a roofer who sustained injuries in an accident on the job, you may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. It’s essential to have a skilled personal injury attorney by your side who can help you obtain the monetary recovery you deserve. The attorneys at the Dearie Law Firm, P.C. are dedicated to fighting for the rights of roofing accident victims. They aggressively pursue the maximum compensation available in each client’s unique case.
The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has convenient office locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as mobile locations serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester County, Rockland County, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. Contact us today for a consultation.