Philadelphia Roofing Workplace Injury Lawyer

Roofing work is a difficult and dangerous job. Falls are not uncommon, and workers might be severely injured. If you are hurt while performing roofing work, our team can help you determine how to get fair compensation.

Workers doing roofing jobs are often injured in falls. They might fall through damaged or unstable portions of a roof or slip on wet shingles after rainy weather. If you fell from a roof during a roofing job, talk to our team about filing a Workers’ Compensation claim. You may be entitled to benefits covering medical expenses and a portion of your lost income. One of the biggest fears among injured roofing workers is being blamed for their own injuries. Rest assured that even if you are fully responsible for your injuries by your own negligence, you may still be eligible for Workers’ Compensation. Hire an experienced attorney to help you file your claim and fight for the compensation and benefits you need and deserve.

Call (267) 651-7945 and talk to our Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Specialists at Cardamone Law for a free, private case review.

How On-the-Job Roofing Injuries Commonly Occur in Philadelphia

Roofing is an important job in the construction field. If you have ever had to deal with a leaky roof or broken shingles, you know how important roofers are. Unfortunately, roofing work is also very dangerous. Working so high off the ground naturally comes with risks, and if a worker falls, they might be badly injured.

Many roofers fall and get hurt because of unstable or damaged areas of the roof that are not disclosed to them by the property owners. For example, you might be working on new shingles on someone’s home, but they neglected to tell you that a portion of the roof is severely damaged by wood rot. Because you are unaware of the danger, you might inadvertently step on a weak spot in the roof and fall right through.

Another big problem for roofers is faulty or damaged ladders, scaffolding, and other equipment. Getting up on the roof can be tricky. Ladders and scaffolding need to be properly set up and stabilized. A roofer might fall if this equipment is improperly secured or defective.

Sometimes, roofers have to work in less-than-ideal weather conditions. Maybe it rained the day before, and the roof is wet and slippery. Maybe the roof has a very steep incline, and maintaining your balance is difficult. Even a simple slip and fall on a roof can lead to disaster.

Getting Compensation for Roofing Workplace Injuries in Philadelphia

If you are injured while working as a roofer, you may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits to help cover the costs of your injuries and make ends meet while you recover. Our Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Specialists can help you determine your employment status to get started. While most employees are eligible for benefits, independent contractors are not.

Under the Workers’ Comp Act, Workers’ Comp benefits provide much-needed medical coverage. Your benefits may cover emergency room visits, surgery, various tests and scans, prescription medication, mobility aids, and other forms of treatment necessary for your recovery.

You may also receive benefits to make up for a portion of your lost income. In Pennsylvania, injured employees may receive about two-thirds of their average weekly wages if they are unable to work for at least 7 days. There is no maximum payment period, so you may continue receiving benefits for as long as you are disabled. Still, benefits cease if you can return to full employment or are able to find some other work with no loss in income.

What if My Employer Blames Me for My Roofing Workplace Injuries in Philadelphia?

You may still be covered by Workers’ Comp even if you are partially or entirely responsible for causing the accident that led to your injuries. The negligence of the injured worker is irrelevant in many cases. Even if you fell from a roof while working on a roofing job because of your own clumsiness, you may still be eligible for Workers’ Compensation.

According to Art. III § 301(a) of the Act in Pennsylvania, an employer may be responsible for compensation for the injury or death of an employee without regard to negligence. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If the employee is found to have deliberately caused their injuries, their employer does not have to pay.

Similarly, if the employee became injured because they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol or they were doing something illegal, they might be ineligible for Workers’ Comp benefits. In such cases, the employer is responsible for proving that the injured roofer is ineligible for benefits for these reasons.

Do I Need an Attorney for a Philadelphia Roofing Workplace Injury Case?

While hiring a lawyer is not a legal requirement, it is often necessary for injured roofers. Your attorney can help you figure out how to begin your claim and litigate it if the insurance company does not want to pay.

Many people who work in the construction industry are misclassified as independent contractors. Sometimes, this misclassification is accidental. Other times, employers do it purposefully to avoid paying for Workers’ Compensation insurance. Your lawyer can fight to prove that you are indeed an employee and that your classification as an independent contractor is either a mistake or an act of deception by your employer.

Litigating a Workers’ Compensation case can be very complex. Gathering documentation of your injuries, the time you missed from work, and details about your employment status is already difficult. Add painful injuries to the mix, and the average person might find themselves in over their head. An experienced lawyer can provide the legal support you need.

Contact Our Philadelphia Roofing Workplace Injury Attorneys for Legal Support Today

Call (267) 651-7945 and talk to our Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Specialists at Cardamone Law for a free, private case review.