Falling Broken Roof Tile Injury Lawsuit
Undoubtedly, the concrete or terra cotta roof tiles so common in California add charm and interest to the structures they sit atop. In addition, they provide increased longevity and form a far better water barrier than the typical asphalt shingles used in other parts of the country. But property owners need to understand that tile roofs are far from a maintenance-free option. These surfaces still require regular inspections and care to ensure that this very attractive roofing surface does not become a life-threatening hazard.
If you have suffered an injury due to a falling broken roof tile, it is vital that you contact Kenmore Law Group immediately. Our staff is here 24/7 to answer any questions you might have about your right to file a falling broken roof tile injury lawsuit or to begin preparing that case for you. In addition, we offer a free consultation if you would like to meet in person with a falling broken roof tile injury lawyer to discuss the details of the incident and your injuries and better understand your rights as an injury victim.
What Makes Roof Tiles So Hazardous?
While asphalt shingles do not withstand heat and sun, as well as roof tiles, they are anchored more securely to the roof. Typical shingle sheets have many nails holding the flat shingle in place. However, a roof tile often has two or only one nails holding each of the tiles to the roof. In addition, the nail holding the tile is inserted in a hole drilled into the tile surface. And while the material is durable, it can develop stress cracks around the nail and become loose. And finally, the sheer weight of a roof tile at multiple pounds is sure to cause significant damage if it falls ten feet or more from a rooftop to the ground or strikes a nearby pedestrian.
The Added Peril Of Something Falling From The Sky
When you see a bird flying toward your car’s windshield, you instinctively flinch. It is a subconscious response to a threat your brain is trying to avoid. The same reflex occurs when you see an object that could strike you while walking down the street. The wind gusts, and you see tree branches over the sidewalk shimmering, so you raise your arm to protect your face and head.
However, when a roof tile turns into a missile and blows off a rooftop, you will not likely notice the movement over ten feet off the ground and possibly out of sight. So there is a high likelihood that the roof tile hitting you will be a complete shock. You have no time to raise your arms to protect your skull and face, nor can you brace for the impact.
In many cases, the falling roof tile is just the beginning of a chain reaction of injuries as you fall to the ground in a state of shock and disorientation. Many victims step off the edge of a sidewalk, trip over a step or curb, or simply collapse to the ground, suffering additional injuries to their lower extremities.
$465,000
Slip & Fall
$500,000
Premises Liability
$525,000
Head Trauma
$500,000
Back Injury
$599,000
Slip And Fall Accident
$600,000
Shoulder Injury
Common Injuries Caused But A Falling Broken Roof Tile Incident
Rarely ever are head injuries minor. And when debris comes falling from the sky, the first place it is likely to strike is your head. When unprotected, the impact can cause many head injuries that can have lifelong implications. That is why people who work in areas with a significant potential for falling objects or low clearance that could cause impact with the head, wear safety gear to protect their skull, brain, and face.
Some of the common head injuries associated with a falling broken roof tile injury include:
- Concussions
- Fractures skull
- Traumatic brain injury
- Brain bleeds
- Scalp lacerations
- Damage to the eyes. Ears, nose, mouth, or teeth
- Skin lacerations requiring reconstructive plastic surgery to correct the damage
Other common injuries attributed to a falling broken roof tile include:
- Compression injuries to the neck and back
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken or fractured bones
- Joint dislocations
- Soft tissue injuries, including strains, sprains, and tears to tendons or muscles
- Nerve damage
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
- Damage to internal organs or internal bleeding
While you might believe that your injuries are minor, it is essential to understand that the shock of a falling roof tile hitting you can mask pain and some severe injuries. Therefore, it is always wise to seek a complete medical evaluation after suffering any impact from a falling roof tile to ensure your health and safety.
What Caused The Falling Roof Tile Incident?
There are many reasons a roof tile could fall to the ground or onto a person and injure them. Some of the reasons include:
- A lack of maintenance for the roof and roof tiles
- Damage to the roof tiles due to a storm or storm-related debris
- High wind lifting the tiles and loosening them or damaging the tiles
- The roof and roof tiles were old and worn out
- There were manufacturing defects in the tile, causing them to be structurally weak
- The tiles were not properly installed
- The roof sheeting was damaged or defective, causing the nails securing the tiles to loosen
As you can see, there are many possible reasons for a roof tile to fall from a roof. But what can be more challenging is determining which of these explanations applies to your situation.
The Legal Experts And Their Team If Experts
When it is time to determine whom to hold accountable for your falling roof tile injuries, you will want to have the expert assistance of the legal professionals at Kenmore Law Group. With years of experience evaluating similar cases and determining who is responsible for our client’s injuries, we will provide you with the information and answers you need when considering a falling broken tile injury lawsuit.
We have learned over the years that it can take a team of experts to uncover the genuine cause of a tile roof failure or many other incidents that result in significant injuries to our clients. So we work with many experts, including independent testing facilities, roofing product manufacturing experts, and roofing installation experts, to ensure we can provide you with the definitive reason for the roof tile failure and who should be held accountable for the injuries and losses you have suffered.
How You Can Help Us To Help You
The scene of an injury accident can change in minutes or hours, depending on the climate and other conditions beyond our control. That makes it vital to gather as much information as possible as soon as the incident occurs. If your injuries do not require immediate emergency medical care, you can collect a small amount of data that could be crucial to any future falling broken tile injury lawsuit you might file. The information includes:
- Contact information for any witnesses of the incident
- Pictures of your injuries immediately after they occurred
- Photos of the debris or roof tiles that caused the injuries
- Images of the general area showing any broken roof tiles on the ground, any tiles displaced on the roof, hanging off the edge of the roof, or spaces where there are missing tiles on the roof
If you cannot gather this information, ask a loved one to stop by the site as soon as possible to take the pictures or contact Kenmore Law Group to discuss your case and determine if our staff should begin obtaining photographs on your behalf.
When Can I File My Claim?
The only constraint on filing your falling broken tile injury lawsuit is that it is to the court within two years of the date of the incident. This applies to any case involving a private property owner, business owner, or tenant of the property where the injury occurred. If the property owner happens to be a government entity, the time limit to file the case decreases to six months from the incident date. If you do not file in the appropriate time, you will most likely lose your right to make a claim.
How Do I Determine The Value Of My Lawsuit
The value of your lawsuit will be based primarily on the expenses and losses you suffered due to your injuries. The most common include your medical bills, legal fees, lost wages, and the value of any destroyed personal property. You can also request compensation for the pain and suffering you endured due to the injuries.
Why Trust Kenmore Law Group?
The decades of combined experience, dedication, and success rate of the Kenmore Law Group legal team are all reasons to put your trust in this caring staff. In addition, we demonstrate our faith in our team by only getting paid for our services after we have secured your settlement or verdict. And if we fail, you owe us nothing. It takes the financial risk off of you and places it all on our staff to win your case and get you the money you need to pay your bills and move past the challenges of your injuries.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kenmore Law Group today to learn more about your rights and how our team will work diligently to protect them and get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.