Fell Off a Roof at Work – A Guide to Claiming Compensation

There are many risk factors associated with working at height. As such, employers must take practical steps to try to keep you safe if you’re a roofer or need to work on a roof as part of your job. Crucially, if you fell off a roof at work and your employer was to blame, you may be able to seek damages for any suffering caused. In this guide, we explore when compensation could be paid after falling off a roof, how much compensation you could receive and how the claims process works.

If you or a loved one fell off a roof at work and would like to claim for your injuries, we can help. In a free consultation, one of our advisors will explain your legal options and assess your chances of success for free. If your claim appears to be feasible, one of our accident-at-work solicitors may offer to help. If they do, and you decide to proceed, your claim will be managed on a No Win, No Fee basis.

To find out more about how we can help you can:

• Speak to a legal advisor by calling 0333 241 2519 now.
• Connect to our online chat service which is open 24 hours a day.

Getting legal advice as soon as possible after falling off a roof can significantly enhance your chances of receiving the compensation you’re entitled to for your pain, suffering, and any financial losses incurred because of the accident.

How Common Are Falls From Height at Work?

Some workplace accidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) according to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

RIDDOR statistics for 2022/23 show that 40 fatal workplace accidents were linked to falls from height as well as around 4,850 non-fatal accidents.

Importantly, these statistics don’t tell us how many injuries or fatalities occurred after a worker fell from a roof at work. For instance, they could be linked to falls from ladders, scaffolding, lifts as well as roofs.

Types of Injuries from Falling Off a Roof at Work We Can Help With

Some examples of injuries that can be sustained from falling off a roof at work that we can help claim compensation for include:

• Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis.
• Head and brain injuries.
• Broken and fractured bones.
• Psychological injuries.
• Internal bleeding and organ damage.
• Soft tissue injuries (muscles, tendons etc.)
• Severe cuts and lacerations.

If you’ve been injured in any way after you fell off a roof, you could be entitled to claim compensation for your suffering. Please read on to find out more.

Can I Claim Compensation for Falling Off a Roof?

While you’re at work, laws like the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 put a legal duty upon employers to take reasonable steps to try and keep their workers as safe as possible. For instance, they have to ensure that you are properly trained before letting you work on a roof.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 provides more specific guidelines on what employers need to do to protect staff who work on roofs and other high structures. For instance, they must:

• Properly plan all work.
• Avoid working at heights where other options are available.
• Ensure the correct equipment is used and that it is stable, strong enough and suitable.
• Try to minimise the distance of any fall.
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety harnesses and hard hats to reduce the consequences of a fall.

If you fell off a roof at work because your employer failed to uphold their duty of care, you might be entitled to claim compensation for any injuries. As such, if you are to win a personal injury claim after falling off a roof, you’ll need to demonstrate that:

• At the time of your accident, your employer owed you a duty of care; and
• You fell off a roof while working because your employer was negligent in some way; and
• As a result of your fall, you sustained an injury or injuries in the last three years.

If you believe your accident meets these eligibility criteria, why not call our legal advisors now for free advice about your options?

What Types of Negligence Can Lead to a Fall Off a Roof?

There are many reasons why workers might fall from a roof at work. Some examples include:

• Fragile roof lights.
• Corroded metal sheets or rotten wooden sheets.
• Poorly designed scaffolding.
• A lack of training.
• Inadequate safety equipment.
• Working in adverse weather conditions.

There are many industries where workers need to access the roof space of buildings. Those working as roofers or in construction probably face the highest risk of falling off of a roof but other scenarios could also lead to accidents and injuries. For example, a farm worker might fall after being asked to patch up a hole in a barn roof but without being given any formal safety training.

Whatever role you work in, we could help you to claim compensation if you fell off a roof at work and your employer was to blame. Please get in touch to find out more.

What Should I Do If I Fell Off a Roof at Work?

Following a fall off a roof at work, you should:

• Seek medical attention. You are likely to be taken to hospital by ambulance but for less serious injuries you may need to make your own way to A&E.
• Tell your employer about how the accident happened and ensure it’s logged in the accident report book.
• Comply with the HSE if they decide to investigate how your fall occurred.

Ensuring that your injuries are properly diagnosed should be your priority but the other steps listed here might help your employer to prevent others from falling in similar circumstances in the future. Additionally, you’ll also now have some evidence that can be vital in proving your claim.

What Evidence Can Be Used for a Roofing Accident Claim?

If you fell off a roof at work and want to claim compensation, you should collect as much evidence as possible to try and strengthen your claim. This could include:

• Photographs from the accident scene that identify the cause of your fall.
• Medical records to prove the extent of your injuries.
• Details of any witnesses to your fall.
• CCTV footage or other recordings of the accident.
• Pictures of any visible injuries.
• Accident report forms and HSE investigation reports.

If you work with one of our accident-at-work solicitors, they may help to collect any additional evidence that’s needed to support your case as part of their service.

Before starting the claims process, why not have us review any evidence you’ve already secured as part of your free initial consultation?

How Long Do I Have to Claim Compensation for Falling From a Roof at Work?

The time limit for most accidents at work in the UK is 3 years from the date of your accident. This period is set by the Limitation Act 1980.

If you are claiming for the death of someone who fell off a roof at work, you’ll have 3 years to do so from the date they died or when you found out about their death.

Crucially, your claim could be rejected if it is made too late. Therefore, to enable ample time for evidence gathering and other important tasks, we suggest you begin the claims process as soon as possible.

How Much Compensation for Falling Off a Roof?

The level of compensation you’ll receive if you successfully claim for a fall from a roof is dependent on how you’ve suffered physically, emotionally and financially.

The first element of any compensation you receive, general damages, covers your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. This includes both physical and psychological injuries.

To ascertain how much suffering you’ve endured and any you’ll have to deal with in the future, your solicitor will use hospital records and independent medical assessment reports. They may then compare your injuries with those listed in the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help put a value on your claim.

Another element that could form part of any settlement offered, special damages, covers financial losses linked to your falling off roof injuries. As such, if you fell off a roof at work and make a successful claim, your payout could include compensation for:

• Current and future loss of earnings.
• The cost of adapting your home or vehicle to help you cope with any permanent disabilities linked to your fall.
• Care and support costs.
• Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs.
• Replacement costs for property damaged during your fall.
• Travel expenses.

Any costs you wish to claim back must be proven with evidence. As such, you should send any relevant receipts or bank statements requested by your solicitor.

Can I Claim Compensation for a Loved One Who Died From Their Fall?

We completely understand that no amount of compensation will ever make up for losing a loved one in an accident at work. However, you may decide to seek justice on their behalf or to claim compensation for any financial ramifications.

If you decide to proceed, you may have grounds to claim compensation for:

• Your loved one’s pain and suffering (on behalf of their estate).
• Loss of companionship.
• Funeral costs and other expenses.
• Loss of earnings (if you relied on the deceased’s income).

If you’d like us to clarify what compensation you might be entitled to for a fatal accident at work, please contact a legal advisor now.

Do You Need a Work Injury Solicitor for a Compensation Claim?

Using a work injury solicitor to claim compensation isn’t a legal requirement, however, a solicitor can manage your claim from start to finish. Additionally, you won’t need to deal with your employer or their insurers directly and you won’t need to answer any of their questions.

Crucially, our solicitors provide a No Win, No Fee service for accident at work claims. This means that after you’ve signed a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), you won’t pay anything for your solicitor’s work unless the claim is won.

If that happens, a success fee will be deducted from your settlement. For your protection, the maximum success fee percentage you’ll pay is 25 per cent. This is a legal cap set by the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013.

Please get in touch now to find out if a solicitor can help you to claim compensation for your fall from height.

How Long Do Work Injury Claims Take?

There is no set duration for accident at-work claims. That’s because several factors can contribute to how long a claim will take.

For instance, if you fell off a roof and sustained a broken ankle at work, have made a full recovery and liability for your accident has been accepted by your employer, you might be compensated within 4 to 5 months.

However, claims for more serious injuries such as paralysis or brain injuries sustained after falling off a roof could take many years in some cases. The extra time may be needed to ensure that your suffering is properly understood and that any compensation covers all of your future needs (care cost, home adaptations etc).

Crucially, once liability for your accident has been proven or accepted, you could receive interim payments to help you financially before the claim is finalised.

Contacting Us About a Fall Off a Roof at Work

If you fell off a roof at work and injured yourself and believe that you are entitled to claim compensation, why not contact a legal advisor now? To arrange a free consultation, you can:

• Call us on 0333 241 2519 to speak to a specialist.
• Use our live chat service at any time.

There’s no obligation to sue your employer for your accident after your consultation. However, if you do want to begin legal action and a work injury solicitor on our panel offers to provide you legal representation, you’ll receive a No Win, No Fee claims service.