Construction Accidents and Falls from Roofs
Construction sites can be full of potential hazards, posing many risks to workers. One of the most dangerous and potentially catastrophic types of construction site accidents is falling from a roof. Although it's important for those who work on construction sites to practice safety precautions, some falls are a result of unsafe working conditions. Compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages may be recovered in circumstances in which construction accidents are caused by another's negligence. To find out if you or a loved one is entitled to compensation for injuries resulting from construction accidents and falls from roofs, contact our Oklahoma City, OK attorneys at Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC.
What Causes Falls from Roofs?
Anytime a person goes up on a roof, he or she is at risk of a serious fall. Combine being on a roof with construction tasks, and the risk of falling can become even greater. Falls from roofs at constructions sites can occur for a number of reasons. Some causes may include:
- Slippery conditions due to weather
- Poor equipment
- Lack of safety equipment
- Sloped roof
- Mistakes by coworkers
- Mistakes by supervisors
Injuries Caused by Falls from Roofs
Injuries caused by falling from a roof can range from minor bruises to more severe injuries, like paralysis, or death. Due to the height involved, more often than not, falls from roofs lead to serious injuries. Some potential injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Bruises
- Sprains
- Back injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis, including quadriplegia and paraplegia
- Death
Safety Precautions to Prevent Falls from Roofs
Proper training and equipment are essential for keeping workers safe on construction sites and reducing the risk of falls from roofs. Some precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk of falling include:
- Safety nets
- Guardrails
- Warning line systems
- Personal fall arrest systems
- Toeboards
Exploring Your Legal Options
After suffering an injury on a construction site, it is important to report the incident and file all necessary workers' compensation forms, which should be provided by the employer. However, submitting workers' compensation forms does not guarantee compensation for all medical costs, lost wages, or other damages. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been injured from a fall from a roof on a construction site, or some other construction site accident, it's important to contact an attorney to fully explore your legal options. Consulting an attorney can help determine if there are legal grounds for compensation for pain and suffering or recovery of lost wages and medical costs.
Contact the Attorneys of Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a construction accident, we encourage you to meet with one of our experienced attorneys. Our attorneys will work with you to determine all of your legal options and seek compensation for damages if there is a case for legal compensation. To learn more about your legal rights, we welcome you to contact our construction accident attorneys today.