Roofing Accident Lawyers
As central as the construction industry is to both Indiana’s past development and its future prosperity, construction workers in the state continue to toil under some of the most dangerous conditions in the private employment sector. Perhaps the biggest danger to them comes from workplace falls, which account for more than a third of construction-related deaths, though non-fatal falls can still inflict physically and economically devastating injuries, especially when they happen on elevated surfaces such as roofs.
Fortunately, you may be compensated if you fall from a roof at an Indiana construction site because of somebody else’s misconduct, and the amount that you obtain could be even greater with the Indiana construction accident lawyers at Hensley Legal Group in your corner.
To learn how a dedicated Indiana roofing accident attorney can help you in your hour of need, schedule a free case review by calling us at (317) 472-3333, chatting with us online, or filling out our contact form now.
Common Causes of Indiana Roofing Accidents
The majority of roofing-based construction accident claims in Indiana involve falls, which could be the result of a number of factors. Common causes of Indiana roofing accidents include:
- Broken or incorrectly utilized ladders and scaffolding
- Missing guardrails
- Unsecured roof edges
- Structural instability
- Poorly patched openings or holes
- Excessive slanting or pitching
- Walkway obstructions
- Blockages of sightlines (vents, chimneys, stacks of shingles and roofing materials)
- Lax fall protection equipment and/or fall arrest systems
- Mechanical issues
- Distraction
- Insufficient training
- Inclement weather
Regardless of the particular cause of a roofing accident, the consequences can be incredibly dire, which is why it is critical to partner with a skilled Indiana roofing accident lawyer who can maximize the value of your case.
How to Prevent a Roofing Accident in Indiana
There is a high probability of grievous bodily harm if you fall off of a roof on a job site, but you can prevent a roofing accident in Indiana altogether or reduce its severity if you:
- Cover or cordon off rooftop openings.
- Use ladders and scaffolds only as prescribed.
- Install and maintain perimeter fencing.
- Consistently wear appropriate anti-falling gear and non-slip shoes.
- Store roofing supplies in a tidy fashion.
- Wipe up spills promptly.
- Climb stairs whenever they are available instead of jumping between levels.
- Repair damaged steps and guardrails.
- Carry loads that do not impede your vision.
- Keep well-traveled paths decluttered and adequately lit.
By implementing sensible precautions and exercising sound judgment, you may be able to steer clear of the kinds of catastrophes for which the assistance of an Indiana roofing accident attorney might normally be required.
Who Is Liable for an Indiana Roofing Accident?
When injured workers themselves are to blame for their roofing injuries, personal injury cases may not be on the table, though they might qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if they can show that they were hurt within the course and scope of their employment. However, there are some roofing injuries for which outside individuals and entities may be legally and financially liable.
But determining who is liable for an Indiana roofing accident may not be that easy because of the complex nature of construction work. Every construction project is the product of many professionals laboring simultaneously in order to accomplish a larger goal, and a single mistake could put them all at risk.
Since literal lives may be on the line, any substantial structure in the Hoosier State must be approved by the Construction Safety Division of the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration before it can be built. If they hope to break ground, project planners and construction employers have to:
- Inspect work sites for hazards.
- Educate workers on the proper usage of machinery and tools.
- Prepare and institute comprehensive construction safety protocols.
- Distribute equipment to avert falls and other accidents.
Ignoring these duties could be a sign of negligence, which is an essential component of any viable Indiana roofing accident case, the defendants for which might include the:
- Property owner and/or developer
- General contractor in charge of construction
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of unsafe tools and equipment
- Government agency with authority over a public space that is under construction
Very often, multiple parties could bear responsibility for the same roofing accident, and each of them has to be identified and pursued within the period set by law, known as the Statute of Limitations. The Statute for Indiana construction accident claims is typically two years from the date of injury, though it could be narrower in claims against the government, with additional stipulations that may have to be satisfied.
If you fail to file suit or reach a resolution before the Statute expires, you could be forever barred from being fully reimbursed for your losses, but our meticulous Indiana roofing accident lawyers will dot every “i” and cross every “t” so that a valid case can be established in a timely manner.
What to Do After an Indiana Roofing Accident
To improve your case’s chances of success, there are important tasks that you should remember to complete after an Indiana roofing accident. Specifically, you should:
- Report the roofing accident – Telling your boss, foreman, or supervisor about the roofing accident right away may ensure that key details are not disputed later on.
- Snap pictures and shoot videos – If you have your phone with you, try to snap pictures and shoot videos of any defects that contributed to your fall before they can be remedied, since sudden change is the rule on construction sites, not the exception.
- Seek treatment – Because delays in care could hinder your recovery and cast doubt on the relationship between the accident and your injuries, seek medical treatment as soon as you can, ideally from paramedics or the nearest emergency room.
- Write down witness information – Before you leave the scene, write down the contact information of any witnesses to the roofing accident.
- Avoid insurance companies – Insurance companies with applicable coverage may attempt to get in touch with you, though anything you say to them could be used against you, so you may want to avoid them until you…
- Talk to an attorney – A seasoned lawyer can discuss the facts of your roofing injury and formulate the best way to proceed with your case.
How Hensley’s Indiana Roofing Accident Attorneys Can Make a Difference
A roofing accident can overwhelm you with skyrocketing bills while robbing you of the ability to earn the money to pay them, which could quickly bring you and your family to the brink of ruin, but the Indiana roofing accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group can make a difference.
If you hire Hensley, we will launch an exhaustive investigation into your roofing accident and every possible defendant for it, then move swiftly to amass the evidence to shore up your claim, coordinating our efforts with experts in their fields if the situation warrants it.
Upon assembling an airtight case, we will enter into negotiations for a settlement that reflects the totality of your losses, including your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Mobility restrictions
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Diminished quality of living
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive and wrongful death damages (if relevant)
And in contrast to some of our competitors, who rarely, if ever, see the inside of a courtroom, we are not afraid to go to trial if we do not receive an offer that is worthy of your claim.
No two roofing injuries are exactly alike, but our Indiana roofing accident lawyers will always strive to get you top dollar for yours.
You Won’t Owe Us Anything Until We Win
If you are reluctant to agree to more expenditures when you can least afford them, you should know that Hensley works on a contingency basis, which means that you won’t owe us anything until our Indiana roofing accident attorneys win your case.
That roofing accident may have turned your world upside down, but we will do everything in our power to get you back on your feet again.
Our Indiana Roofing Accident Lawyers Will Be Here for You
Hensley Legal Group has been getting justice for the seriously injured for over a quarter century. If you have been hurt by the thoughtless acts of a thoughtless actor, our Indiana roofing accident lawyers will be here for you.
You can call us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form for a no-cost consultation with a knowledgeable Indiana roofing accident attorney today.
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