MIOSHA awareness campaign to reduce workplace fatalities due to falls in the roofing industry.
Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration (MIOSHA) continues its awareness campaign Stop Falls. Save Lives. with an emphasis on roofers in 2018. It aims to raise awareness and educate employers. Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. More information can be found at www.michigan.gov/stopfalls.
Statistics published by MIOSHA show 15 people died from a fall in the workplace during 2017. Many of these tragic accidents could have been prevented.
Some of the most difficult cases that we handle involve a workplace death. Workers’ comp benefits are limited to a burial expense of just $6,000. Spouses, children, and others can seek additional survivor benefits if they can prove dependency. This can be extremely difficult for working spouses and children over the age of 16.
We recently represented a man who fell off a roof and suffered paralysis of his legs. He received a large settlement for wage loss and medical benefits. However, no amount of money will ever compensate him for this loss.
Roofing is one of the most dangerous jobs that we see in Michigan. Our experience shows that some employers go out of their way to ignore safety rules and equipment. Employees are put in dangerous situations on their first day of the job. When an accident occurs, employees are told they were hired as independent contractors and denied workers’ comp benefits.
Our goal as workers’ comp lawyers is to advocate for employees. We do not want to see anyone hurt on-the-job. Our hope is that roofing companies review MIOSHA information and take advantage of the many free resources.
Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers never charges a fee to evaluate a potential case. Our law firm has represented injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years. Call (844) 201-9497 for a free consultation today.
Related information:
Warning about the “Fatal Four” in construction
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by gosheshe.
