The Fall
The client was 42 and worked as a roofer in residential construction in Naperville, Illinois. In June 2022, while removing old roofing material, he walked backward, lost his balance at a gap in the roof, and fell 15 to 20 feet. His upper body struck concrete. He had no harness or fall protection.
A Severe, Traumatic Injury
The injuries were serious: an open fracture of the left wrist (bone exposed), a head wound that needed staples, a fractured shoulder blade, and a shoulder contusion. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital and rushed into emergency surgery the same day. Later, he needed a second surgery on the wrist. A fall like this does not heal in days. He was out of work for a full year and left with permanent restrictions in his left hand. In his own words, “it is difficult for him to even lift a bottle of water.”
Turning Strategy Into Justice
When the client came to our office, our legal team immediately took control of the case. We assembled everything — the ambulance report, the surgeries, the therapy, the functional capacity evaluation — and documented that the roof had no fall protection and that the injuries came directly from the accident. Jack Epstein, with 30 years of experience in the Illinois legal market, oversaw the strategy. We pressed for the wage benefits owed during his year out of work and for the permanent damage. Throughout, the client paid nothing until we won the case.
The Result
The client secured a $96,000 settlement, of which he received $76,555 net, plus nearly 53 weeks of disability benefits while he could not work. The agreement recognized a 40% permanent loss of the person as a whole.
Why This Case Matters
Falls from height are among the most serious construction accidents, and they often happen because fall protection is missing. An injured construction worker has the right to treatment, wage benefits, and fair compensation. If you were hurt on a job site, our Illinois legal team can help you recover what you rightfully deserve.
