If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 immediately for any fall from a roof.
- 2Don't move the injured person unless there's immediate danger, such as fire or traffic.
- 3Keep them still, warm and talking if they're conscious. Don't give them anything to eat or drink.
- 4If they aren't breathing, follow the 911 operator's instructions.
- 5Secure the area so no one else falls — stop work on that roof edge.
- 6Tell the foreman and make sure the injury is reported to the employer in writing.
- 7Leave fall protection gear, ladders and the roof edge as they are, if possible, and photograph them when safe.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Serious roof falls are usually reported quickly, but the injured worker or family should still make sure there is a written report to the employer and keep a copy. If the injured person can't do it, a family member can ask the employer for the claim number and the adjuster's contact.
Roofing jobs often involve a homeowner or building owner, a general contractor and subcontractors. Write down who hired whom, who supplied the ladder or fall protection, and whether anchors, guardrails or harnesses were in use.
Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible. If the worker was paid as a contractor or in cash, ask the agency how coverage works.
Keep hospital paperwork, photos, the names of coworkers who saw the fall, and a log of every call. For a long recovery, a single notebook or folder helps the whole family stay organized.
Getting medical care
Emergency and hospital care come first. Follow-up often involves orthopedics, spine care, neurology and concussion care, and rehabilitation. A licensed clinician decides what care is appropriate after an evaluation.
Make sure every provider knows it was a fall from a roof at work and approximately how high. Some states and employers have rules about which provider handles follow-up care, so ask the employer or adjuster once the emergency is over.
Prescriptions after a serious fall may continue for a while. Ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled; home delivery is often available and can help while the person can't get around.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- The fall caused a spinal cord injury, head injury or injuries likely to have lasting effects.
- A general contractor, property owner or equipment supplier may share responsibility.
- There was no fall protection or the gear failed.
- The worker is told they're a contractor without coverage.
- The claim is denied, delayed, or payments stop.
- The family needs help understanding long-term care and benefits questions.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Recovery from a serious fall can be long and may include hospital stays, rehabilitation and therapy. Following the care plan and keeping appointments matters.
Returning to roofing may not be possible right away, or at all. Ask the doctors about restrictions and the employer about lighter work. Some states offer retraining for workers who can't return to their old jobs.
Serious injuries affect the whole family. It's common to feel overwhelmed. Ask the hospital about social workers or support services, and keep the employer and adjuster updated.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: What injuries were found, and what is the plan for the coming weeks?
- Doctor: Will rehabilitation be needed, and where?
- Employer: Can I get a copy of the incident report?
- Employer: Who supplied the fall protection and who controlled the site?
- Adjuster: What is the claim number, and who do I call with questions?
- Adjuster: How are hospital bills, prescriptions and travel handled?
- Attorney: Does the general contractor or property owner change our options?
- Attorney: What should we know about long-term care?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if someone fell off a roof at work?
Call 911 right away and keep the person still unless they're in immediate danger. Stop work at the edge so no one else falls. Report the injury to the employer in writing once the emergency is handled.
Is a fall off a roof at work covered by workers' comp?
Roof falls on the job are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and the worker's status. Report it in writing. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
Can a family member report a work injury for someone?
Yes, family members often contact the employer and adjuster when the injured worker can't. Ask for the claim number and keep copies. The rules about filing vary by state.
Who is responsible when a roofer falls?
Workers' compensation usually applies through the employer. A general contractor, property owner or equipment supplier may raise other questions. Many families talk with an attorney.
What if the roofer was paid as a contractor?
Coverage depends on how the state treats the work relationship, not just the label. Write down how they were paid and supervised. Check with your state's agency or an attorney.
What injuries are common in roof falls?
Broken bones, spine injuries, head injuries and internal injuries are common. Some are not obvious right away. That's why emergency care matters.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).