Roofing Accidents: One of the Most Dangerous Jobs in Illinois
Roofing is among the most hazardous trades in the construction industry. Every year, roofers in Illinois suffer serious injuries from falls, equipment failures, and weather-related accidents. If you’ve been hurt on a roofing job, understanding how workers’ compensation settlements work can make the difference between a fair recovery and a lowball offer.
At Illinois Compensation, we’ve secured life-changing settlements for roofers across the state. This article explains what your claim may be worth and how to protect your rights.
Real Roofing Accident Settlements We’ve Won
The value of a workers’ comp settlement depends on many factors — the severity of your injury, your average weekly wage, your age, and the body parts affected. Here are actual results we’ve achieved for injured roofers in Illinois:
| Case | Settlement | Injury Details |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing Fall — Illinois | $250,000 | Multiple fractures, spinal injury |
| Roofing Fall — Naperville | $96,000 | Fractures, surgery required |
| Roofing Fall — Chicago | $75,000 | Multiple fractures from height |
| Fall from Height — Elk Grove Village | $135,000 | Multiple orthopedic injuries |
How Workers’ Comp Settlements Are Calculated in Illinois
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) uses a formula based on:
- Average Weekly Wage (AWW) — Your earnings over the 52 weeks before the accident
- Body Part Affected — The IWCC assigns a “weeks of compensation” value to each body part. A hand is worth 205 weeks; a leg is 215 weeks; the back is 500 weeks
- Permanent Impairment Rating — Your doctor assigns a percentage of loss of function. Multiply the weeks × percentage × 60% of your AWW, and you get the PPD value
- Wage Differential — If you can’t return to your previous job at the same pay, you may be entitled to two-thirds of the difference in wages
Common Roofing Injuries and Their Settlement Ranges
Based on our case results and IWCC data, here are typical settlement ranges for common roofing injuries in Illinois:
- Herniated disc (lumbar/cervical) with surgery — $60,000 to $315,000
- Shoulder tear (rotator cuff) with surgery — $50,000 to $140,000
- Knee injury with surgery — $40,000 to $85,000
- Multiple fractures from a fall — $75,000 to $250,000
- Traumatic brain injury — $100,000 to $500,000+ (depending on permanency)
Important: Every case is different. These ranges reflect past results and do not guarantee a specific outcome for your case. The best way to understand your claim’s value is a free consultation with an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
Why Insurance Companies Undervalue Roofing Injury Claims
Insurance carriers know roofing injuries are expensive. They deploy tactics designed to minimize payouts:
- Independent Medical Exams (IME) — The insurance company sends you to their doctor, who often downplays your injuries and says you can return to work
- Vocational rehabilitation — The carrier may claim you’re employable in a different field, even if you’ve spent your entire career in roofing
- Surveillance — They may hire investigators to film you performing physical activities, trying to contradict your claimed restrictions
- Delayed authorization — They stall on approving surgeries and treatments, hoping you’ll give up or settle cheaply
An experienced roofing injury attorney knows how to counter each of these tactics and build a record that supports maximum compensation.
What to Do If You’re a Roofer Injured on the Job
- Report immediately — Illinois law gives you 45 days, but reporting the same day protects your rights and starts the clock on benefits
- Get medical treatment — Go to the ER or your employer’s approved provider. Tell them it’s a work injury. Follow your doctor’s orders — gaps in treatment hurt your case
- Take photos — Document the roof, the height, the equipment, your injuries. These images are powerful evidence
- Don’t sign anything from the insurance company — Adjusters may ask you to sign medical releases or settlement offers. Have an attorney review everything first
- Call a workers’ comp lawyer — Free consultation, no fee unless you win
At Illinois Compensation, we understand the roofing trade. We know how hard you work and what these injuries mean for your future. We speak Spanish and English. Let us fight for you.
Call today. No fee unless we win.
