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Chicago Roofer Injury Lawyers

Roofing is one of the most physically demanding and dangerous trades in Chicago. Workers spend their days on pitched surfaces, exposed to wind, heat, and the constant risk of a fall. When a roofer gets hurt on the job, the consequences can be life-changing, and knowing your legal rights under Illinois law is the first step toward protecting your future. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, a trusted Chicago abogado de lesiones personales firm, we have spent decades standing up for injured workers across the city, from the neighborhoods of Pilsen and Logan Square to job sites near O’Hare and along the lakefront.

Why Roofers Face Serious Injury Risks on Chicago Job Sites
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Rights for Injured Roofers
When a Third-Party Claim Gives Injured Roofers Additional Legal Options
OSHA Violations and How They Strengthen Your Roofer Injury Case
What Compensation Can an Injured Chicago Roofer Recover?
Steps to Take After a Roofing Injury in Chicago
FAQs About Chicago Roofer Injury Lawyers

Why Roofers Face Serious Injury Risks on Chicago Job Sites

Roofing consistently ranks among the most hazardous occupations in the United States. Workers operate at dangerous heights, often on steep or slippery surfaces, with limited room for error. A single misstep on a residential rooftop in Bridgeport or a commercial building in the West Loop can result in a fall that causes broken bones, spinal cord damage, or a traumatic brain injury.

Falls are the leading cause of death in construction work nationally. Under 29 CFR 1926.501, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide fall protection for any roofing employee working at an unprotected edge six feet or more above a lower level. Employees engaged in roofing activities on low-slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges six feet or more above lower levels must be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or a combination of warning line and other protective systems. For steep roofs, the rules are even stricter. On steep roofs, each employee on an unprotected side or edge six feet or more above lower levels must be protected by guardrail systems with toeboards, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

When employers skip these protections to cut costs or save time, workers pay the price. Beyond falls, roofers in Chicago face other serious hazards: heat exhaustion during summer projects near Wrigleyville, tool-related hand injuries, overexertion from heavy lifting, and exposure to toxic materials like old asphalt or roofing adhesives. Each of these hazards can give rise to a workers’ compensation claim, and in some cases, a separate personal injury lawsuit against a third party.

If you were hurt on a roofing job in Chicago, you have legal options. Understanding what those options are, and acting on them quickly, makes a real difference in the outcome of your case.

Illinois Workers’ Compensation Rights for Injured Roofers

En workers’ compensation lawyer you choose matters, because the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305) gives injured roofers specific legal protections that must be enforced. The Act covers virtually every employee in Illinois, including roofers working for both large contractors and small roofing companies. All injuries arising out of and in the course of employment are covered under 820 ILCS 305/2, and they must have their origin in some risk connected with, or incidental to, the employment so as to create a causal connection.

Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, an injured roofer does not need to prove that anyone was at fault. The system is no-fault, meaning your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance must pay your benefits whether the accident happened because of equipment failure, a co-worker’s mistake, or an unsafe condition on the roof. You simply need to show that the injury happened while you were doing your job.

Benefits available under the Act include payment of all reasonable and necessary medical expenses, compensation for lost wages while you cannot work, and benefits for permanent disabilities that affect your ability to earn a living. A workers’ compensation claim must be filed within three years of the date of the accident where no compensation has been paid, or within two years after the date of the last payment of compensation where any has been paid, whichever is later, under 820 ILCS 305/6(d).

Notice requirements are also strict. Notice of the accident must be given to the employer as soon as practical, but no later than 45 days after the accident, under 820 ILCS 305/6(c). Missing this window can jeopardize your claim. Report your injury to your supervisor right away, document everything in writing, and seek medical attention immediately.

When a Third-Party Claim Gives Injured Roofers Additional Legal Options

Workers’ compensation is not always the only legal path available to an injured roofer. A third-party claim is a personal injury lawsuit filed against someone other than your employer, and it can result in much larger compensation than workers’ comp alone provides. Third-party claims cover damages like pain and suffering, full lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life, none of which are available through workers’ compensation.

Who might be liable in a third-party claim? On a Chicago roofing job, that could include a general contractor who failed to maintain a safe work site, a property owner who knew about a dangerous condition and said nothing, a scaffolding company that provided defective equipment, or a manufacturer whose safety harness failed at a critical moment. If a subcontractor’s negligence caused your injury, that subcontractor may also be a proper defendant.

Illinois law also provides an important protection for roofers working under subcontracting arrangements. Where a subcontractor is uninsured, the employee of that subcontractor may recover compensation under the Act from the general contractor or from the individual or entity that engaged the services of the general contractor, and the subcontractor is then liable for indemnification under 820 ILCS 305/1(a)(3). This means that even if your direct employer lacks insurance, you may still have a path to recovery.

A workers’ compensation lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can review the facts of your case, identify every potentially liable party, and help you pursue all available claims at the same time. You do not have to choose between workers’ compensation and a third-party lawsuit. In many cases, injured roofers can pursue both.

OSHA Violations and How They Strengthen Your Roofer Injury Case

An OSHA violation on your job site can be powerful evidence in your injury case. When an employer fails to provide legally required fall protection, that failure is not just a regulatory problem. It is proof that the employer knew the rules and chose not to follow them. That fact matters enormously when building a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim.

OSHA’s fall protection rules under 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart M are detailed and specific. Employers must provide and install all fall protection systems required by Subpart M for an employee, and must comply with all other pertinent requirements before that employee begins the work that necessitates the fall protection. Skipping this step is a clear violation of federal law.

For steep roofs, which are common on older Chicago homes in neighborhoods like Beverly and Norwood Park, warning line systems alone are not enough. Steep roofs with a slope greater than 4 in 12 require more protection due to higher fall risk, and only guardrails with toeboards, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems are allowed, while systems like warning lines or safety monitors are prohibited.

After a roofing accident, OSHA may conduct an inspection and issue citations. Those citations, along with photos from the scene, witness statements, and medical records, form the core of a strong injury claim. An attorney can subpoena OSHA inspection records, request the employer’s safety logs, and work with experts to reconstruct exactly what went wrong. The workers’ compensation lawyer team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg knows how to use this evidence effectively.

Do not assume that because you received workers’ comp benefits, your case is closed. If an OSHA violation contributed to your injury, a third-party claim may still be available, and the compensation in those cases can be substantially higher.

What Compensation Can an Injured Chicago Roofer Recover?

The total compensation available to an injured roofer depends on the type of claim, the severity of the injury, and who is responsible. Workers’ compensation and a third-party personal injury claim cover different categories of damages, and in many cases both apply at the same time.

Through the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, injured roofers can recover full payment of medical bills, temporary total disability (TTD) benefits while they cannot work, temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits if they return to light duty at reduced pay, and permanent partial or total disability benefits if the injury causes lasting limitations. The Act also covers vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to roofing and need retraining for a different type of work.

In a third-party personal injury lawsuit, the categories of recovery are broader. You can seek compensation for the full amount of lost wages and future earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. If a loved one died in a roofing accident, the family may also have a wrongful death claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180).

Every case is different. A roofer who suffered a herniated disc after a six-foot fall from an unsecured ladder in Wicker Park will have a different claim value than someone who sustained a traumatic brain injury after falling from a three-story commercial building in the Loop. What matters is building the strongest possible case with all available evidence. The workers’ compensation lawyer professionals at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today at (312) 222-0010 for a free consultation.

Steps to Take After a Roofing Injury in Chicago

What you do in the hours and days after a roofing accident directly affects the strength of your legal claim. Taking the right steps protects your health and your rights at the same time.

Report the injury to your employer immediately and ask that it be documented in writing. Do not rely on a verbal conversation. Get the date, time, and location of the accident on record. Illinois law requires you to notify your employer within 45 days, but doing it right away is always better.

Seek medical attention the same day, even if your injuries feel minor. Some serious injuries, including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries, do not show their full symptoms right away. A medical record created on the day of the accident is far more credible than one created days later. Follow all of your doctor’s instructions and attend every follow-up appointment.

Document the scene if you are physically able to do so. Take photos of the roof, the area where you fell, any missing or broken safety equipment, and your injuries. Collect the names and contact information of any witnesses, including co-workers and bystanders. If OSHA is called to the site, note the inspector’s name and badge number.

Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that can reduce or eliminate your claim. The attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf. Contact our office at (312) 222-0010 or reach out through our website. We serve injured workers throughout the Chicago area, and our workers’ compensation lawyer team is also available to clients downstate in Peoria. There is no fee unless we win your case.

FAQs About Chicago Roofer Injury Lawyers

Can I file a workers’ compensation claim if I was working as a subcontractor on a roofing job?

Yes, in many cases you can. Illinois law under 820 ILCS 305/1(a)(3) provides that if your direct employer (a subcontractor) is uninsured, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim against the general contractor who hired them. Your employment status and the structure of the contract matter, so it is important to speak with an attorney about the specific facts of your situation before assuming you are not covered.

What if my employer says my injury was my own fault?

Illinois workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Your employer’s argument that you caused your own injury does not automatically disqualify your claim. You are generally entitled to benefits as long as the injury arose out of and in the course of your employment, regardless of who was careless. If your employer is disputing your claim, contact an attorney right away so your rights are protected through the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission process.

How long does it take to resolve a roofer injury case in Illinois?

The timeline varies depending on the severity of your injury, whether your employer’s insurer accepts or disputes the claim, and whether a third-party lawsuit is also involved. Some cases resolve in a matter of months through a negotiated settlement. Others that involve disputed liability or serious permanent injuries may take a year or longer, especially if the case proceeds to a hearing before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. An attorney can give you a realistic timeline based on the specific facts of your case.

Can I be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim after a roofing accident?

No. Illinois law prohibits employers from retaliating against an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Retaliatory discharge is illegal, and an employer who fires, demotes, or otherwise punishes a worker for pursuing their legal rights may face additional liability. If you believe your employer is retaliating against you, document every incident and contact an attorney immediately.

Does Briskman Briskman & Greenberg charge upfront fees for roofer injury cases?

No. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles roofer injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless the firm recovers compensation for you. You should not have to worry about legal costs while you are recovering from a serious injury. To discuss your case at no cost, call (312) 222-0010 to schedule a free consultation. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is located in Chicago, Illinois, and serves injured workers throughout the region.

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