Fighting For The Compensation You Need After A Roofing Accident
Roofers have a particularly dangerous job. If something goes wrong at a job site, the risk of injury or death is high, and employers often do not take proper measures to protect their employees. Given the long hours, heat and heights associated with roofing in Texas, it is not uncommon for roofers to suffer severe and life-altering injuries.
At Basu Law Firm, PLLC, in Pasadena, we represent roofers throughout the Houston area after they have suffered injuries in a roofing accident. We focus on results and always strive to find the best avenues to pursue the compensation you deserve. We are not afraid of litigation and will fight for you in court when necessary. With over 15 years of experience, you can trust our founding attorney to provide the representation you need to move forward.
Roofing Accidents Can Cause Life-Altering Injuries
It is no surprise that falling off a roof or getting hit by debris can cause a catastrophic injury. Roofers often face the most risk of injury at any construction job site. Common roofing accident injuries include spinal cord injuries, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, burns and heart-related injuries. Any of these catastrophic injuries could significantly impact your future. Even without a traumatic accident, roofers often suffer back problems due to years of straining every day.
Common causes of roofing injuries include:
- Slips and falls from a roof onto a lower floor or the ground below.
- Equipment malfunction or negligent misuse of a tool that causes injury
- Sharp metal tools or materials that cause punctures and cuts
- Exposure to dangerous weather conditions, such as excessive heat or rain, that raise the risk of illness or injuries from a fall
- Electric shock from exposure to wires or lightning
- Burns from sun exposure or coming in contact with a hot surface
- Repetitive stress injuries from years of lifting heavy equipment, hammering and other activities
After a roofing accident, you can file a personal injury claim in Texas to recover compensation for your financial costs and mental suffering after suffering injuries. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible for damages to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, lost future earning potential, and pain and suffering.
While workers’ compensation is one type of compensation available to you after a roofing accident, it is not necessarily the only one. For example, negligence from a third party, such as the manufacturer of a tool or piece of equipment involved in your accident, could have contributed to your injuries. In that case, a personal injury lawsuit could be an option for larger overall financial recovery. We will thoroughly investigate what happened to you and identify every possible avenue for delivering maximum compensation.
Safety Protocols To Prevent Roofing Tragedies
Responsible roofing companies and subcontractors take reasonable steps as required by law for roof injury prevention. These precautions include:
- Waiting for good weather conditions to take away the risk of a slippery work surface or heat harming somebody
- Ensuring there are enough ladders and scaffolding and that they are all in good condition and safe to use
- Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job, such as helmets, shoes with good traction and harnesses as fall protection
- Making sure ropes and cords are not kept underfoot, where they can post a tripping hazard
- Allowing regular hydration and shade brakes, especially on hot, sunny days
These methods can greatly improve safety at a roofing job site, but they cannot guarantee you will avoid injury. On the other hand, unsafe working conditions are often a factor in major incidents that cause fatal or disabling injuries.
U.S. Roofing Accident Statistics
Roofing accidents are among the most serious types of construction accidents that American workers face. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 35 percent of fatal construction accidents that happened in the U.S. in 2020 were falls from heights, including off of roofs. In 2021, BLS reports 123 roofers were killed on the job, including 99 from falls. While falls from height are perhaps the most common and dangerous type of accident roofers face, other dangers are all too common. For example, working on a metal roof in a sudden rainstorm can lead to electric shock from lightning. A worker can also trip and fall on the roof on a loose wire or wet patch and hurt themselves without falling off the edge.
Texas Roofing Injury FAQ
Filing a claim related to injuries caused by a roofing accident can seem confusing if you are not experienced with the law. Here are answers to some common questions injured roofers and their families have about the claims process:
How long do I have to file a claim?
Generally, after a construction accident you have two years from the date the accident happened to take legal action. After that, your claim could be dismissed for violating the statute of limitations, which has nothing to do with the merits of your case. Delaying too long can cost you and your family thousands of dollars, which is why you should contact an attorney as soon as you can after an accident.
What can I get compensated for?
Anything that results in a bill or lost income as a result of your injuries, such as the cost of your medical care and physical therapy, are damages you can seek compensation for. So are many things with a less clear price tag, such as your pain and suffering.
Can I sue my employer for my roofing accident injuries?
No. Your right to workers’ compensation benefits for a work-related injury replaces your right to sue your employer under Texas law. This is why possible third-party claims can be crucial to getting reasonable compensation for your injuries.
Let Our Team Fight For You
At Basu Law Firm, PLLC, our founder has over 15 years of experience, and our team has assisted in over 600 personal injury cases in the Houston area. Our real-life, hands-on experience gives us an advantage in the courtroom or over the negotiating table. We understand how stressful this time is for you, and will always treat you and your case with compassion and respect. For your convenience, we can assist you in multiple languages, including Spanish. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 713-369-5951 or complete our online contact form to get in touch.