Workers' Compensation for Roofers in Raleigh, NC

workers compensation for roofers Roofing consistently ranks as the most dangerous of the construction trades. Whether you work for a large commercial roofing company or a small residential contractor, North Carolina law may entitle you to workers’ compensation for roofers when job-related injuries occur.

At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, we help injured workers understand their rights and pursue the maximum benefits available under state law. Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers have recovered millions for North Carolina construction workers. Call or reach out online today to find out how we can help you, too.

How Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks Can Help with Roofer Injury Claims

At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, we represent injured roofers through every stage of the workers’ compensation process, from initial claim filing through appeals and hearings. Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers protect your rights and pursue the full benefits you deserve under North Carolina law by:

Handling Denials and Disputes

Insurance carriers often reject valid roofer injury claims or propose settlements that overlook the injury’s lasting impact. We push back against improper denials, seek hearings before the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and build strong evidence to support your entitlement to full workers’ compensation benefits.

Gathering and Preserving Evidence

Winning workers’ compensation claims requires thorough documentation of your injuries, medical treatment, and work restrictions. We help you build a strong case by collecting and organizing the evidence insurance companies cannot ignore, such as:

Medical records from emergency rooms, orthopedic surgeons, and treating physicians
Wage statements and employment records that establish your earnings and employment relationship
Accident reports and witness statements describing how your injury occurred and your employment relationship with the employer
Pictures and videos showing when the workplace accident happened
Expert testimony explaining injury causation, disability status, or earning capacity

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters work to minimize claim payouts and protect their company’s financial interests. Our firm handles all communications with insurance representatives, preventing you from making statements that could harm your claim while ensuring your rights remain protected throughout the process.

Identifying Third-Party Claims

Sometimes, roofing accidents involve liable parties other than your employer. These cases create opportunities for additional compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits, including pain and suffering. Defective equipment manufacturers, negligent property owners, or careless subcontractors or general contractors may bear legal responsibility for your injuries.

We identify all potential claims and pursue maximum recovery through workers’ compensation benefits and third-party lawsuits, when applicable, ensuring you seek full compensation for your losses.

Do Roofing Contractors Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance in North Carolina?

North Carolina law requires most roofing contractors to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Under N.C.G.S. § 97-93, any business employing three or more employees typically must provide workers’ compensation coverage. Roofing companies frequently meet or exceed the threshold, making insurance mandatory.

If you were working for a roofing subcontractor that did not buy workers’ compensation insurance, the general contractor may be liable. North Carolina General Statute § 97-19 makes a principal contractor (general contractor) liable for worker’s compensation injuries sustained by a subcontractor’s employee if the subcontractor fails to maintain required insurance coverage. This “statutory employer” provision creates a vertical chain of liability, holding higher-tier contractors responsible unless they obtain a valid certificate of insurance from the subcontractor prior to the work.

At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, we hold employers accountable when they fail to maintain proper workers’ comp coverage, ensuring you receive benefits even when your employer violates state insurance requirements.

Am I Eligible for Workers’ Comp in North Carolina as a Roofer?

You may be entitled to workers’ compensation for injuries sustained while working as a roofer if:

You work for an employer who is required to carry workers’ comp insurance.
Your injury is considered job-related under North Carolina law.
Your injury requires medical treatment or causes you to miss more than seven days of work.

The workers’ compensation system operates as a no-fault insurance program. You do not need to prove your employer caused your injury or acted negligently – you just have to establish that your injury meets the required workers’ comp criteria. Our firm helps roofers document their injuries, meet reporting deadlines, and establish the work-related nature of their conditions when insurance companies challenge claims.

What If I Am an Independent Contractor?

In North Carolina, independent contractors aren’t covered by workers’ compensation. However, many roofing companies misclassify employees as independent contractors to avoid paying workers’ compensation insurance premiums and employment taxes. North Carolina courts look beyond job titles to examine the actual working relationship. Hayes v. Board of Trustees of Elon College, 224 N.C. 11, 29 S.E.2d 137 (1944).

If your employer controls when, where, and how you perform your work, provides tools and equipment, pays you an hourly wage and treats you like an employee, you may qualify for benefits despite being labeled an independent contractor. We have successfully challenged many improper classifications before the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) and can fight for your right to coverage.

Even if your employer has you sign a contract that designates you as an independent contractor, the courts may look past the contract to the actual control the employer exercised over you. Watkins v. Murrow, 253 N.C. 652, 657, 118 S.E.2d 5, 9 (1961).

When you sustain roofing injuries covered by workers’ compensation, North Carolina law provides several types of financial support, including:

Medical benefits – Workers’ comp can cover all reasonably necessary medical treatments, appointments, surgeries, hospital visits, and prescriptions. It also compensates you for travel to your appointments if it is more than 20 miles round-trip. (C.G.S. §§ 97-2, 97-25).
Temporary total disability (TTD) – If your injury keeps you from working altogether for more than seven days, you may receive weekly payments equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a set maximum, for up to 500 weeks (C.G.S. § 97-29).
Temporary partial disability (TPD) – If you return to work in a reduced capacity and earn less than before because of your injury, partial wage replacement may pay two-thirds of the difference between your pre- and post-injury income for up to 500 weeks (C.G.S. § 97-30).
Permanent partial disability (PPD) – If your injury causes permanent partial impairment or loss of function in a body part, you may qualify for a set number of weeks of compensation based on the body part affected and the level of impairment (C.G.S. § 97-31).
Permanent total disability (PTD) – If you are permanently and completely unable to work in any capacity due to severe injuries, you may be eligible for total disability benefits for life (C.G.S. § 97-29).
Vocational rehabilitation – If you can’t return to your previous job, you may qualify for job retraining, education assistance, or placement services to help you find a new career (C.G.S. § 97-32.2).
Death benefits – After a fatal roofing accident, workers’ comp benefits can provide financial support and burial cost coverage for eligible dependents (C.G.S. § 97-38).

The value of your workers’ compensation claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the time you are expected to be out of work, and your average weekly wage before the accident. We calculate your benefits based on your earnings history to ensure the insurance company does not undervalue your claim.

Common Roofing Injuries

Roofing injuries occur across a range of circumstances, from routine maintenance to complex commercial installations. The elevated work environment combined with weather exposure creates multiple risk factors that can lead to serious harm, such as:

Fractures and spinal cord injuries from falls off roofs, ladders, or scaffolding
Traumatic amputations from equipment accidents or falling
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke during the summer months when the roof surface temperatures sometimes exceed 150 degrees
Traumatic brain injuries when dropped tools strike roofers on the head or falling
Severe burns from hot tar, torches, or heated roofing materials
Cuts and puncture wounds from sharp tools, nail guns, or metal flashing
Electrical shocks when working near power lines or electrical equipment
Back injuries from lifting heavy objects or falling
Eye injuries from debris, chemicals, or UV exposure
Toxic exposure illnesses from inhaling asphalt fumes, insulation fibers, or other toxic substances

Roofing injuries can end careers and permanently change lives. Our firm understands that these injuries affect not only your ability to work but also your quality of life and financial stability – and we’ll help you seek the full benefits you deserve because of that impact.

Call Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for Help with Your Case

When you’re dealing with severe injuries after a roofing accident, the last thing you need on your plate is a legal battle for your rightful compensation. Let our skilled North Carolina workers’ comp attorneys handle the fight for you.

With over 100 years of combined experience, our attorneys at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks have secured over $150 million in personal injury cases, including a $2.625 million workers’ comp settlement for a construction accident.* Our client reviews and testimonials demonstrate that we deliver exceptional service and outstanding results. As one happy client said:

“Mr. Baznik handled my workers’ compensation case and stayed well ahead of it. Always keeping me informed and going the extra mile for my needs. I’m so glad I chose to call Joe Baznik and will use his team again if I ever need an attorney.” – Jon Connell

Contact Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks at 919-661-9000 or complete our online contact form for a free case evaluation with a trusted workers’ compensation lawyer in Raleigh, NC.

*Each case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.