Working on a roof can be very dangerous. Three quarters of the deaths in the roofing industry are a result of falls from roofs. A great deal of precaution is required when working on a roof.
Injuries from roof falls
Roof falls result in serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head trauma
There are many instances where injuries from roof falls may seem minor. However, internal damage may be present. For that reason, you should always seek medical attention following a fall from a roof.
Seeking compensation for roof falls
A roof, like any other part of the home, requires regular maintenance. Replacing an entire roof can be expensive. It is therefore not surprising that many homeowners seek to repair roofs when they notice a problem.
When a person is repairing a roof and falls off, he will most likely seek compensation from the homeowner for his injuries. However, the homeowner may not always be liable for their injuries. Depending on what caused the fall, other parties may be pursued for compensation.
If there were dangerous conditions on the roof and the homeowner was aware of this prior to the repair, the homeowner may be held liable for negligence – especially if the homeowner failed to warn the roofer of the dangerous condition. Dangerous conditions may include electrical faults, termite infestations and loose shingles among other things.
The homeowner is considered to have been in control of the event if he was actively involved in the repairs e.g. assisting the contractor in the repair activities. If the contractor falls and gets hurt, the homeowner can be held liable for the contractor’s injuries.
In the event that the homeowner was not involved in the repairs, other factors are considered. These include:
- If the contractor was licensed
- If the contractor had the right credentials to complete the job
- If the contractor had insurance
If the contractor was duly licensed and insured, he should seek compensation from his own insurance provider for the resulting injuries. This may protect the homeowner from liability.
Seeking legal assistance
If you have suffered injuries from a roof fall accident, it is important to seek the assistance of an experienced lawyer. There are various elements that have to be proven in order to establish liability. Hiring a professional and experienced lawyer gives you access to more resources to help prove your case.
It is also important to seek medical attention immediately after the accident. Not only does this ensure you have proper treatment, it is necessary to have complete medical records to demonstrate that your injuries were caused by the fall.
