I Am a Roofer Who Suffered a Catastrophic Injury. What Are My Legal Options?

 Posted on March 22, 2021 in Construction Accidents

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roofing is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. In 2017 alone, 2,060 roofers were injured and 96 were killed on the job. Falling accounts for a large percentage of severe and deadly roofing accidents. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury on a roofing job, you may be facing expensive medical bills and major financial hardship. You may be able to get compensation for your losses through workers’ compensation or a third-party claim.

Getting Financial Compensation for Injuries Caused in a Roofing Accident

Roofing accidents are often life-changing. Severely broken bones, internal organ damage, and debilitating spine injuries are not uncommon. An injured roofer may be left with limited mobility or may even be paralyzed in a roofing accident. Traumatic brain injuries with devastating physical, mental, and psychological effects are also common consequences of a roofing accident. If you or a loved one were hurt while on a roofing job, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. However, the types and amount of compensation that you may recover depend on your worker classification, who is liable for the accident, and several other factors.  

Determining Liability for Your Accident  

If you are an employee of a company in Illinois, your employer is required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation typically covers medical expenses and two-thirds of the injured worker’s lost income. An employee is covered by workers’ compensation regardless of who is at fault for the accident. However, getting the compensation you need and deserve from a workers’ compensation insurer is often much more difficult than it would seem. Furthermore, if you are classified as an independent contractor and not an employee, you may not be entitled to workers’ compensation.

Another option you may have is to file a third-party claim. If another party’s actions caused or contributed to your accident, you may be able to sue that party for damages. A negligent product manufacturer, property owner, contractor, vendor, or other third-party may be liable for your damages.  The amount of compensation that an injured worker can recover in a personal injury lawsuit is typically much greater than what they can recover in a workers’ compensation claim. Personal injury claims can include medical expenses, full lost wages, and reduced earning capacity as well as non-financial damages like physical pain and mental suffering.

Contact a Cook County Roofing Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were seriously hurt in a roofing accident, contact an Orland Park personal injury attorney at Schwartz Injury Law to discuss your legal options. Our team can handle your case for you while you focus on healing. Call 708-888-2160 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/27/the-10-most-dangerous-jobs-in-america-according-to-bls-data.html