Roofing is one of the most dangerous jobs in California. If you work in this industry, you are probably already familiar with the risks. Because of the dangers inherent in working high off the ground, roofing accidents often lead to serious injuries and can even be deadly.
If you were injured in a roofing accident, you may be facing a painful recovery or even dealing with a long-term disability. Plus, your injuries may be keeping you from earning your regular wages while you and your family are dealing with medical bills and financial uncertainty. If this describes your circumstances, you need to talk to an Orange County roofing accident lawyer. At Silberman & Lam LLP, our workers’ compensation attorneys are here to guide you through every step of the claims process.
Every time a roofer goes to work, they are taking risks that could lead to an accident and severe injuries. Some of the most common types of roofing injuries from falls include:
In addition to injuries caused by falls, roofers also work on hot surfaces during warmer months or with substances like hot tar or machines such as blowtorches. These can lead to dangerous and painful burns. Roofers also sometimes have to work near power lines, running the risk of electrical shocks and burns from electricity.
After a serious accident, to protect yourself and preserve evidence for the strongest possible workers’ comp claim, it is important to remember to follow these steps. First, seek medical care immediately after the accident. Not only is this necessary to make sure your injuries are promptly treated, it also provides valuable evidence, especially if your doctor places work restrictions on you. Next, report the injury to your employer. If your company produces incident reports, make sure to request a copy to ensure that the accident was described accurately.
As soon as possible after the accident, get photographs or videos of the location. Include shots of things like the roof edges, ladders, scaffolding, safety equipment, and any other relevant details. Try to obtain any names and contact information for people who witnessed the accident as well as for any contractors and the property owner or manager.
If you are too seriously injured to take care of this yourself, our Orange County roofing accident attorneys could help you gather this important evidence. Your attorney can discuss your case with you and make sure your workers’ compensation claim is properly built to account for all your current and future damages and losses from the injury.
A roofing accident can leave physical and emotional scars on the people who are involved. The financial stresses of doctor visits, hospital bills, and other medical expenses on top of lost wages and uncertainty about the future can make the recovery period even more difficult. If you believe your roofing accident was due to a workplace safety violation, you likely have grounds to pursue workers’ compensation benefits. Contact an Orange County roofing accident lawyer at Silberman & Lam today to learn more.
