We can help you claim
compensation following an accident
illness or injury - nationwide
Call: 0800 10 757 95
As soon as lighter evenings and warmer days of spring begin, many householders get out their ladders or call a tradesman for maintenance work on their homes, but they should be aware that working at height could lead to a roof fall injury claim.
Minor tasks such as clearing gutters, cleaning first floor windows, painting soffits, fixing slipped slates or repairing flat roofs all entail using steps, a ladder or a scaffolding platform to reach the area of the building which needs attention.
Such work is within the competence of a reasonable DIY-er but, as well as an individual's fitness and experience in tackling strenuous jobs, many homes do not possess sufficiently good equipment to ensure the user's own safety.
Although metal ladders are becoming more common, wooden ones are still useful and are often stored in a garage or workshop. However, damp conditions can lead to deterioration of the structure, resulting in rusting or rotten rungs and feet which are liable to slip.
A householder only has responsibility for his or her own safety when it comes to completing jobs on their own property and when using their own equipment, therefore, any personal injury resulting from an accident cannot be blamed on someone else.
An exception might be where a ladder or scaffolding platform has been newly bought or hired and is found to be defective when used. In those circumstances, should an injury occur through a fall or similar incident, the manufacturer or supplier might be found at fault in a product liability claim.
When a tradesman or one of his employees uses a ladder to access a roof, the situation is more complicated because they will need to comply with various regulations to minimise the risk of a work-related accident.
Firstly, a risk assessment should be undertaken to assess whether there are likely to be hazards and, if a significant safety issue occurs, then action must be taken to reduce the chance of harm to workers or members of the public.
When considering potential risk of working at height, a responsible person needs to look at a variety of factors including the type of ladder, whether it has been subject to wear and tear, what it is to be used for, how long the job will last and if the users have been trained in safe working practices.
Even a fall of a few metres can lead to serious injury with consequent suffering and possibly loss of earnings during recovery, and no spring cleaning job is worth the misery caused by such an accident.
YouClaim solicitors for a roof fall injury claim
If you or a loved one has been hurt while working at height and the accident is the responsibility of someone else, contacting a personal injury solicitor, such as those who work for YouClaim, can help with making a roof fall injury claim.
All our lawyers are monitored by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and have the highest professional standards allied to a sympathetic and helpful manner.
Not only can you be assured of the best legal advice when consulting us but, in most cases, we help clients under the no win no fee system which means 100% of all compensation won will be paid to you.
A damages case needs to be started within three years of an accident occurring and our team is ready to act efficiently and swiftly to bring you the justice you deserve.
To find out about our special roof fall injury claim service, why not call us now on 0800 10 757 95 or send us an email via the contact details on this site.
