What Happens If A Roofer Gets Hurt On The Job?

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  • Author C. Michael Hunter
  • Published November 16, 2011
  • Word count 552

Often times it seems as if disastrous accidents are just lurking around the corner, waiting for a potential opportunity. This could be true for roofers who have a demanding and hazardous job due to the inherent job risks of falling and electrocution. The dangers present when engaged in roofing activities should be recognized by employers and given the utmost safety priority regarding safety. It is essential for a roofing company to carry liability and worker's compensation insurance so if an employee is injured while performing their job, a compensation claim can be filed.

Construction Accidents

The common effect of a roofing construction injury is to prevent the employee from being able to perform the required job which in turn causes loss of income for that worker. This vocation carries with it a high risk of experiencing a falling accident caused by slipping or tripping. Inexperience and negligence in using guardrails, scaffolding, or personal protective equipment is thought to be the primary reason why these injuries occur. Therefore, it is imperative that all employees take full responsibility in implementing suitable and practical safety measures to avoid such a potentially hazardous occurrence!

If these warnings are not taken seriously by following proper safety protocol, construction-related injuries of broken legs, pelvis, punctured eyeballs, fractured ribs, and skull could cause a worker to lose a significant amount of earning capacity while recovering from related physical problems.

Workers Compensation

The specific insurance coverage for employee injuries is workers compensation. It protects the interests of the employees and covers various costs such as medical expenses, rehabilitation, and loss of income related to an injury or illness resulting from an incident occurring at work. This coverage also provides compensation to surviving spouses and dependent children.

Worker's compensation insurance varies from one state to another. State and court decisions decide many factors, including how the claim is handled, impairment assessment, and the amount of benefits an employee can receive as well as dispute resolution. Many states now have ‘no-fault’ workers compensation insurance which prohibits a lawsuit from being filed against an employer if the no-fault benefits have been elected and are being received.

Liability Insurance

This particular insurance is primarily designed to protect those other than workers for damage to property or personal injury resulting from any type of responsible act of an employee of the covered company. It is possible in some states for an employee to sue an employer if the injury resulted from a negligent accident of that employer. It must be pointed out that not all states allow for an injured worked to collect both Workers Compensation benefits and still sue an employer. Again, liability insurance is carried to protect other people and property, not the employee.

If an employee is injured on the job, employers are obligated to carry Workers Compensation insurance to provide for the consequences to employees when they are injured at work. Not only are medical bills relating to the injury completely covered, compensation to make up for lost income is also paid. Should the injury result in a fatality, it also provides benefits for a surviving spouse. Liability insurance seldom comes into play except for those few states that allow for claims using both types of insurance. So workers can be taken care of should an injury occur on the job!

C. Michael Hunter is an expert in residential and commercial roofing. To find out more about Roofs in Houston, go to the main website at: http://www.schulteroofing.com.

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