Roofing is one of the most dangerous jobs there is. One misstep, a broken ladder or a missing harness can mean a fall that changes everything. If you were hurt on a roof, you need help fast. Philly Injury Lawyer helps roofers and their families get every benefit available, even when the contractor didn’t carry insurance.
How Roofers Get Hurt
- Falls from roofs, ladders and scaffolds
- Falls through skylights and weak decking
- Heat illness on hot rowhome roofs in the summer
- Burns from hot tar and torches
- Back, knee and shoulder injuries from carrying materials
- Cuts and nail gun injuries
Falls often cause serious injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord damage and brain injuries.
Workers’ Comp for Roofers
If you work for a roofing company, you should be covered by workers’ comp, even if you’re paid in cash or by the job.
What if the Contractor Had No Insurance?
Many small roofing outfits don’t carry workers’ comp. You still have options:
- Pennsylvania has an Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund that can pay benefits when an employer has no insurance. Strict notice rules apply.
- The general contractor above your employer may be responsible for comp benefits.
- You may be able to bring an injury claim directly against an uninsured employer.
Claims Against Others
A property owner, general contractor or equipment maker may share the blame for a fall, such as a defective ladder or missing fall protection. See Workers’ Comp and Third-Party Injury Claims.
Fell From a Roof? Call Us Now
Call (215) 735-4800 for a free consultation. We Win or It’s Free®.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was paid in cash. Can I still get workers’ comp?
Yes. How you’re paid doesn’t decide whether you’re an employee. Talk to us about your situation.
What if my boss says I’m a subcontractor?
That label often doesn’t hold up. Pennsylvania looks at who controls the work. If you were really an employee, you may be covered.
Can a homeowner be responsible for a roofing fall?
Sometimes, especially if the property had a known hazard. Each case is different.
Pennsylvania Law in Plain English
Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act requires employers to carry insurance and provides the Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund when they don’t. OSHA’s fall protection rules explain what roofing employers must provide to prevent falls.
