Fell Off Roof at Work in DC
If you fell from a roof or fell off a ladder at work in Washington, DC, you already know how fast it happens. You’re hurt, you’re out of work, and now you’re trying to figure out what comes next.
A roofing accident can cause serious knee, shoulder, back, neck, or head injuries. Some injuries require surgery, months of recovery, and time away from work.
And while you’re trying to recover, you’re also wondering who’s going to pay your bills. That’s where DC workers’ compensation comes in. It can help cover your medical treatment and replace part of your lost wages while you’re unable to work.
Common Injuries After a Fall From a Roof or Ladder
If you fell from a roof or ladder at work, you may be dealing with a serious injury that’s keeping you from doing your job.
You may have torn your ACL from a bad landing, injured your shoulder trying to catch yourself, or suffered a back, neck, or head injury from the impact.
These injuries can make it difficult to walk, climb, lift, or do the physical work your job requires. If you’re dealing with any of these injuries, you may need ongoing medical treatment and time away from work to recover.
Who Pays for Surgery After a Fall From a Roof at Work?
After a hard fall, you may need surgery. Recovery can involve physical therapy, follow-up appointments, and months of limited movement.
In Washington, DC, workers’ compensation is supposed to cover necessary medical treatment related to your work injury, including surgery, doctor visits, imaging, and physical therapy.
But insurance companies sometimes delay or deny treatment, even when your doctor recommends it. That can leave you waiting for care while you’re still in pain and unable to work.
Surgery can also affect your recovery time, work restrictions, and potential settlement. We explain more here about how surgery impacts your workers’ compensation settlement.
Who Pays Your Lost Wages If You Can’t Work?
Roofing is hard physical work. If your doctor says you cannot climb ladders, lift heavy materials, or return to your regular duties, going back to work may not be possible right away.
If your doctor takes you out of work after a roofing accident, you may qualify for wage replacement checks through DC workers’ compensation. These benefits help replace part of your lost income while you recover.
The problem is that payments don’t always start on time. And when you’re already missing paychecks, even a short delay can make it difficult to keep up with your bills.
What If Your Employer Doesn’t Have Light Duty?
Let’s say you fell off a ladder, injured your knee, and your doctor says you can return to work, but you can’t climb, kneel, or lift anything heavy.
Roofing companies don’t always have light duty work available. If your employer cannot provide a job that meets your doctor’s restrictions, you may still qualify for workers’ compensation wage benefits.
Make sure your doctor documents your restrictions. If your employer wants you to do work that goes against those restrictions, or the insurance company stops your checks, talk with an experienced attorney before the problem gets worse.
Fell From a Roof or Ladder at Work? Call Us
If you were injured in a fall at work in Washington, DC, you don’t have to deal with the insurance company on your own.
Attorney Frank Kearney has over 30 years of experience helping injured workers. At Donahoe Kearney, we deal with the insurance company, help with delayed treatment and wage checks, and work to protect your workers’ compensation benefits so you can focus on getting better.
Call 202-393-3320 or contact our team for a free consultation.
What If Your Employer Doesn’t Have Light Duty Work?
In this video, Attorney Frank Kearney explains what happens when your doctor gives you work restrictions but your employer doesn’t have light duty available, and how this can affect your DC workers’ compensation benefits.
Related Resources:
Where To File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
How Do I Choose a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Washington, DC?