Roof and ladder falls are especially common among workers expected to use ladders or work on roofs. Falls from any height can end in serious or fatal injuries, which our lawyers can help victims or their survivors claim compensation for.

After a fall from a roof or ladder, our attorneys will help you inform your employer in writing if the accident happened at work. We can also get a list of your employer’s authorized physicians so Workers’ Compensation will cover your medical expenses. Our attorneys can see if a third party is potentially liable, such as the manufacturer of a defective ladder or fall protection system. This would let you file a lawsuit for additional damages, not just Workers’ Compensation benefits.

Get a free and confidential case review from the Graves Injury Law Firm by calling our attorneys for roof and ladder falls at (305) 614-2767.

How Can a Lawyer Help You After a Roof or Ladder Fall?

The injuries you sustain after a fall from a roof or ladder might be debilitating, and our lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve after an accident.

Inform Your Employer in Writing

Although verbally informing your employer of an injury is sufficient, our attorneys for roof and ladder falls can help you notify them in writing for better documentation. For any workplace injury in Florida, you have 30 days to notify your employer. If you miss the 30-day reporting deadline, you put your access to Workers’ Compensation damages at high risk.

Help You Find an Authorized Physician

Our attorneys can obtain a list of all authorized physicians from employers and insurance carriers so you can see the appropriate doctors for your medical treatment. If you do not find and see an authorized physician, Workers’ Compensation may not pay any of your medical bills.

Interview Eyewitnesses

If you fell off a roof or ladder at an active construction site, co-workers may have witnessed it. Witnesses may be able to describe fall protection suddenly failing or ladders suddenly giving out.

Gather Supporting Evidence

As you heal from falling injuries, we can gather evidence that proves you were injured during the course of employment and not because you intentionally harmed yourself or were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Photograph damaged fall protection gear, broken ladders, and any other physical evidence left in the aftermath.

Answer Questions During the Claim Review

When the Workers’ Compensation adjuster is reviewing your claim, they may have follow-up questions or request additional information. Let us deal with the insurance adjuster directly so that you avoid the stress and consequences of possibly misspeaking or contradicting yourself.

Investigate Third-Party Liability

For roof or ladder falls on construction sites while working, Workers’ Compensation is the most common remedy. A liable third party may exist, however, such as the company that manufactured and distributed a defective ladder.

Estimate Your Benefits

How disabling your injury is and what your average weekly wage at the time of injury was determine your weekly Workers’ Compensation benefit amount for lost wages. We can estimate your weekly benefit, so you know what to look for when you receive your first check. If your benefit amount is too low based on your previous income and current injury, our lawyers can follow up with the Workers’ Compensation carrier.

Appeal Your Denied Claim

If Workers’ Compensation denies your claim for benefits, our attorneys can help with an appeal by filing a Petition for Benefits with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims in Florida. Workers’ Compensation appeals involve mandatory mediation and hearings. There are multiple levels of appeals you can pursue, so do not get discouraged if your initial claim is denied.

FAQs Answered by Our Attorneys for Roof and Ladder Falls

What if Roof or Ladder Falls Are Fatal?

If a workplace roof or ladder fall is fatal, survivors may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation death benefits. Just as we would when workers survive falls, we can investigate further in case a third party is mostly at fault and can be liable in a civil wrongful death lawsuit.

What Are Common Causes of Roof and Ladder Falls?

Common causes of roof and ladder falls include wet conditions, lack of fall protection gear, broken fall protection gear, uneven ground, and faulty equipment.

What Are Common Injuries from Roof and Ladder Falls?

The following are some of the most common injuries from roof and ladder falls, whether they are sustained on a worksite or not:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Displaced fractures
  • Internal bleeding
  • Organ damage
  • Fatal injuries

Can You Sue Your Employer for Injuries Due to a Roof or Ladder Fall?

You generally cannot sue your employer for injuries due to a roof or ladder fall in Florida, as having Workers’ Compensation protects them in most, but not all, scenarios.

What if You Fall After Borrowing a Ladder?

If you borrowed a ladder from a homeowner while doing work on their property or even from a neighbor to make a quick repair yourself, and fell from it because the ladder was broken, the owner may be liable for your injuries if they failed to warn you.

What Workers’ Compensation Damages Can You Get for a Roof or Ladder Fall?

Workers’ Compensation damages for roof and ladder falls in Florida are limited to medically necessary treatments provided by an authorized physician, lost-wage compensation, and impairment income benefits. For fatal falls, Workers’ Compensation may provide death benefits to survivors.

What Personal Injury Damages Can You Get for a Roof or Ladder Fall?

Personal injury lawsuits can yield compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Personal injuries resulting from gross negligence or intentional misconduct may also result in punitive damages.

Get Compensation for Roof and Ladder Falls with Our Help

Call the Graves Injury Law Firm’s attorneys for roof and ladder falls at (305) 614-2767 for a free case assessment.