Roof and Ceiling Collapses: Major Dangers on Construction Sites
Of all the ways you can get hurt on the various construction sites where you work, being hit by or falling through a collapsing roof or ceiling probably does not come immediately to your mind. Nevertheless, such collapses are not all that uncommon and occur both on new construction projects and rehab or renovation projects on older buildings. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that each year, roof, ceiling, and wall collapses are the eighth most frequent cause of construction worker fatalities and injuries.
Catastrophic Injuries
When these accidents occur, the injuries you risk sustaining can be extremely serious or even catastrophic. Common injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Impalements
- Severe cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Severe internal injuries
Roof Collapse Causes
The excessive accumulation of heavy snow and ice is by far the top reason why roofs collapse. Other reasons include the following:
- Excessively heavy HVAC and other equipment mounted on the roof
- Excessively heavy tools and machinery stored on the roof
- Excessively heavy dropped loads from cranes
- High winds
- Roof design defects
- Improper or hurried roof construction
- Use of inferior or defective materials
- Inadequate worker supervision
- Inadequate safety precautions
Ceiling Collapse Causes
Interior ceilings collapse from a different set of causes, including the following:
- Inadequate wall construction
- Insufficient number of load-bearing walls
- Poorly secured ceilings
- Improperly installed ceiling supports
- Faulty plumbing
- Faulty ductwork
- Unsafe architectural designs and plans
- Use of inferior or defective materials
- Heavy objects falling on the ceiling from above
- Premature removal of scaffolding holding up the ceiling during construction
Financial Consequences
Unfortunately, the financial consequences of a roof or ceiling collapse injury can be nearly as catastrophic as the injury itself. You likely will require a significant hospital stay, possibly including surgery. Once you’re discharged, you may well need ongoing physical and/or occupational therapy. You may also need to use a wheelchair, a walker, crutches or other assistive device(s) for many months following your accident. Your medical expenses likely will skyrocket – at precisely the same time as you’re losing income because you can’t work. What to do?
Your wisest strategy consists of consulting an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer, like The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt. He or she can advise you of your available options going forward and help you file what could prove to be a complicated workers’ compensation claim. He or she can also advise you of whether or not you also have a valid personal injury claim against your employer or possibly even the designer or manufacturer of any defective equipment that contributed to the roof or ceiling collapse.