Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog
Falls from roofs are among the most common construction accidents in the industry. Unfortunately, they are often deadly. In order to reduce the risk of serious injury and death, it is essential that workers receive proper training and that employers provide a safe working environment at all times. Workers’ compensation can help cover medical expenses and lost wages when a worker is injured on-the-job. Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today.
Roofing Falls Among Most Dangerous Construction Accidents
According to OSHA, 100 American workers are killed in roofing falls every year. Most of these are construction workers. That is an average of 34 fatal roofing injuries for every 100,000 construction workers. Beyond those numbers, an additional 150,000 people are injured annually in roofing accidents that require emergency room visits.
Most Roofing Accidents Are Preventable
Roofing falls are typically the result of inadequate employee training, carelessness on the part of the employee or employer, or negligence. Manufacturers, third-party vendors, and employers may be found liable in a roofing accident, depending on the cause. A safety-harness manufacturer may be deemed negligent, for example, if the harness breaks, causing a worker to fall. Sometimes there seems to be a clear cause for the fall initially but upon further investigation other factors can be contributing factors for the accident. Hiring the right law firm who has access to the best experts is often critical to determining liability and maximizing damages.
Who is at Fault?
It is not uncommon for employers to claim that the accident was the injured worker’s fault. However, the right evidence and information can be used to prove otherwise. For example, were OSHA standards adhered to? Was the edge of the roof clearly marked with warning flags? Was a safety monitor on duty to warn workers when they near the edge? Was the worker tied off appropriately? If the worker fell through a hole, was the hole properly covered?
Beyond MA Workers’ Comp
Workers’ Compensation is typically available to workers who have been injured while performing on-the-job duties. However, these benefits are limited. If roofing injuries are due to third-party or employer neglect, the victim will likely be entitled to additional compensation.
Roofing Accident Causes
Roofing falls can occur for a variety of reasons, including flimsy materials, employer or third-party negligence, collapsing ladders or scaffolding, electrical shock, and explosions.
Employers Must Provide a Safe Working Environment
Employers must take proper measures to ensure the safety of their workers. These include providing necessary equipment and materials, such as safety harnesses, lifts, railings, flags, and other safety gear. The employer is also responsible for ensuring that all equipment is in good working order and that working conditions and equipment are routinely inspected.
Common Roofing Accident Injuries
Common injuries from roofing accidents include sprains and broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and even death. Injuries sustained in roofing accidents can result in overwhelming medical expenses, lost wages, chronic pain, and emotional trauma.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury Attorneys
If you’ve been injured in any type of construction accident, the attorneys at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. Above and beyond workers’ compensation, you may be entitled to additional funds for medical bills, emotional trauma, lost wages, and future earnings. If an employer does not follow all OSHA standards, and an employee is subsequently injured, the employer may be liable. In addition, if found in violation of OSHA standards, the employer may be fined by the administration. OSHA violations often indicate that negligence was at play in the employee’s injuries. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free consultation about your case.
