NY / NJ Falls From Roofs Construction Injuries

Anytime workers are on a roof at a construction site in New York or New Jersey there is a real chance of a fall. Property owners and contractors are supposed to provide safety equipment to prevent falls from roofs. If safety devices aren’t in place or if they don’t work right, workers can fall and suffer serious harm.

The NY / NJ construction accident lawyers at the Ginarte law firm can help if you have been hurt in a fall from a roof. We have 28 attorneys ready to help you with your construction accident claim. Talk to us today for free. Call 1-888-GINARTE now. You can also use our online form.

At the Ginarte law firm we collect fees only if you win your case. Don’t wait to contact us. NY and NJ injury claims have strict deadlines. Delay could result in a barred claim. Don’t put your claim in risk. Call today or visit one of our seven nearby offices: Newark, New York City, Union City, Elizabeth, Clifton and Perth Amboy.

What Causes NY / NJ Falls From Roofs

OSHA rules require safety measures when workers are on roofs. If the roof has a low slope, OSHA allows these ways of preventing falls:

• Guardrails;
• Safety nets;
• Personal fall arrest systems;
• Warning line systems with guardrails;
• Warning lines with safety nets;
• Warning lines with personal fall arrest systems; or
• Warning lines with safety monitoring systems.

If the roof is steep, OSHA requires guardrails with toeboards, safety nets or personal fall arrest systems.

If safety systems are absent or faulty, it is easy for a worker to lose balance and fall from a roof. It is also possible to slip or be knocked off a roof.

Injuries Caused By Falls From Roofs

A fall from a roof at an NY / NJ worksite can cause serious injuries or death. In fact, more than a third of construction deaths were caused by falls in 2010. According to OSHA, more than one-third of construction deaths were caused by falls. Falls happen often on jobsites. About 20 out of every 10,000 construction workers suffer a fall to a lower level during a normal year.

Because of the heights, falls from roofs usually cause bad injuries. Here are some of the injuries that can result from a rooftop fall:

• Death;
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI);
• Paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia;
• Back injuries;
• Ankle, foot and knee injuries;
• Bone fractures, including hairline and compound fractures
• Spinal cord damage;
• Bruises;
• Sprains, and more.

NY / NJ Workers At Risk Of Falling From Roofs

There are many construction jobs that require work on roofs. Anyone who is on a roof faces the risk of a construction accident involving a fall. Here are some types of jobs where a roof fall might happen:

• Roofers;
• HVAC installers;
• Elevator workers;
• Framers;
• Carpenters;
• Painters;
• General laborers and helpers;
• Electricians;
• Welders;
• Workers on mobile scaffolds, mobile cranes and cherry pickers;
• Demolition workers;
• Ironworkers, and others.

Falls From Roofs Can Be Costly

You will likely suffer severe injuries if you fall off of a roof. Doctor’s bills can cost thousands of dollars. Roof fall injuries can lead to paralysis and other disabilities. These require expensive rehab treatments. Lost wages are also a big concern after a fall from a roof. Some victims will never be able to work again. Others will have to find jobs that don’t pay as much.

The 2011 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index reports that falls to lower levels were the third costliest jobsite accidents in 2009. Costs totaled about $5.35 billion for these falls, which include falls from roofs.

New York Construction Site Injuries

If safety violations played a role in your rooftop fall, NY labor laws can make people other than your employer pay for your damages. These laws require a safe jobsite. Third parties like the property owner, site developer or another contractor can be held liable if they broke the law. This means that NY law can help you get more money on top of workers’ comp and/or SSDI.

The NY construction injury lawyers at the Ginarte law firm have been handling these cases for decades. We work with experts and investigators to find out what safety rules were broken. We know how to use that information to go after all likely sources of compensation.

Your Construction Accident Claim In New Jersey

New Jersey does not have the same laws as New York when it comes to jobsite safety. But the attorneys at the Ginarte law firm know how to use OSHA violations to make a case for damages against a third party. We have helped many injured NJ workers get the cash they deserve after a construction accident. Talk to us to see how we can help you.

The Ginarte law firm has what it takes to investigate an NJ roof fall accident. We can find out what caused the fall and who should pay for your injuries.

Talk To Our Lawyers About Your Construction Injury Claim Today!

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a fall from a roof, you need to talk to the construction injury lawyers at the Ginarte law firm. Call today for a free consultation. We receive compensation only if your case is won. Call us today. Dial 1-888-GINARTE now. Or fill out our online contact form.