Roofing Accidents

Roof work is a physically demanding and high risk job on construction sites. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an average of 34 fatal injuries occurs per 100,000 full-time construction workers, or 100 deaths occur per year. Furthermore, over 150,000 people are injured on an annual basis in roofing accidents that require a visit to the emergency room. Yet, most roofing accidents are preventable and can be blamed on careless behavior of contractors, employers, and fellow employees. While the more common roofing accidents happen when a worker falls from a height or falls after a collapse of flimsy materials, there are many different types of mishaps. These can include exposure to electrical hazards, the collapse of scaffolding or ladders, being struck by falling debris or moving machinery, and explosions. If you or a loved one has suffered a roofing accident while working at a construction site, you may be entitled to more than just workers compensation.

The Boston construction accident lawyers at Bellotti Law Group, P.C. have successfully handled hundreds of construction accident cases over the years, including wrongful death lawsuits. Contact our Boston, Cambridge, or Quincy office today at 617-225-2100 for a FREE evaluation of your case.

Any time an employee at a construction site performs work on a roof, the employer is responsible for providing safe working conditions. OSHA regulates the health and safety of construction workers through very specific regulations that all employers and contractors must abide by when their employees are working. If an employer is found to violate an OSHA standard, monetary fines may be assessed to the company. Also, identifying a violation is a strong indicator of negligence on the part of the employer, and will help the injured worker recover compensation in a lawsuit. When we investigate your claim, we will look to see if a violation of an OSHA standard was a contributing factor to the injury. If so, then the employer may have failed to fulfill its obligation to provide for employee safety, and should be held accountable for its breach.

It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure the safety of its workers by providing all necessary materials, such as railings, safety harnesses, supply planks, and lifts. The employer must also provide comprehensive safety training to all workers, and is responsible for timely inspections of working conditions. Failure to perform any of these tasks can have severe and tragic consequences. Common injuries resulting from roofing accidents include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain damage, paralysis, and death. It should come as no surprise that roofing accidents are usually the most treacherous accidents on a construction site.

Injuries sustained after a roofing accident are often accompanied by extensive costs for surgery, hospital care, rehabilitation, and lost wages. The injured worker may be eligible for monetary damages that go above and beyond workers compensation. We will investigate all sources of liability, including property owners, construction companies, subcontractors, and equipment rental companies to get you the compensation that you deserve.

Talk to one of our experienced Boston accident construction attorneys today to help you understand your options.