According to the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least 160 Christmas decorating-related injuries were reported each day during the holiday season in 2023 – a number that is almost guaranteed to rise. Whether it’s a loose shingle, a patch of ice, a bad step, or poor visibility, doing anything on the roof during the winter is a dangerous prospect. That’s why falls from roofs remain one of the most common accidents affecting contractors in Texas. And with the holiday season in full swing, we wanted to highlight some of the dangers faced by an increasing number of general contractors taking on the challenge of hanging Christmas lights this year – and what they can do if they injured.

Why Contractors Fall From Roofs during Christmas

When hanging Christmas lights, roof workers are exposed to a range of hazards that increase the likelihood of a serious fall. Some of the most common factors include:

  • Unstable Surfaces: Roofs vary widely in pitch, shape, and material. Loose shingles, wet surfaces, heat-warped roof panels, and accumulated dust can cause sudden slips. Texas heat often softens roofing materials, which can lead to unexpected shifts underfoot, while sudden freezes can make shingles brittle, causing them to break.
  • Faulty Ladders and Scaffolding: Many falls begin before the contractor even reaches the roof. Damaged ladder rungs, worn rails, and improper angles create dangerous conditions. Scaffolding that lacks reinforcement or tie-ins may sway or collapse during use, especially during strong winds.
  • Weather Hazards: A brief rain shower, morning dew, high humidity, or strong winds can make surfaces slippery or destabilize tools and materials. In Houston and surrounding regions, roofs often stay slick for hours after rainfall.
  • Improper Fall-Protection Equipment: Contractors depend on harnesses, anchor points, guardrails, and safety lines. When a harness tears, an anchor point pulls free, or a safety line frays, the contractor has little time to react.
  • Debris and Loose Materials: Roofing projects involve shingles, nails, tools, tarps, and insulation. When materials shift unexpectedly, they can cause trips or block escape routes during a slip.

Common Injuries After a Rooftop Fall

A fall from a roof often results in severe injuries because contractors land on hard surfaces, metal equipment, or construction debris. Unfortunately, many contractors tend to brush off what seems to be mild back pain – this is extremely dangerous. Falling from a full story (or two) can cause other major injuries that are not so easily identifiable, like traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, joint injuries and internal injuries. All of these can present as mild discomfort, but most often manifest over time as debilitating pain.

Treatment and Long-Term Recovery

Contractors often need immediate trauma care followed by orthopedic treatment, physical therapy, and sometimes neurological rehabilitation. Many injuries require several months of restricted movement, which means extended time off the job.

Long-term recovery challenges can include:

  • Loss of mobility that makes climbing and lifting difficult.
  • Chronic pain that interferes with daily activities.
  • Permanent physical restrictions that force workers to shift careers.
  • Financial strain due to long periods without income.

Families often carry this burden while balancing medical bills, therapy appointments, and changes in household responsibilities.

What do I do if I Fall Hanging Christmas Lights?

Go to the doctor! If you have workers compensation, make sure you report your incident immediately, then get a medical checkup. If you do not have worker’s compensation, contact our office immediately, and we will advise you on your next steps.

  1. Seek Immediate Medical Care: Even when injuries seem mild, internal damage or delayed symptoms may develop later. Emergency care, diagnostic imaging, and follow-up visits help workers receive the right treatment and document the extent of their injuries.
  2. Document the Scene: If possible, photograph the roof, ladders, tools, equipment, and weather conditions. This information shows what caused the fall and preserves details that disappear once crews clean up.
  3. Report the Incident: Contractors should notify the property owner, project manager, or employer as soon as they are able. Written reports help establish a clear timeline.
  4. Track Medical Records and Missed Work: Keeping receipts, treatment plans, prescriptions, and time-off logs helps create a full picture of the financial impact.
  5. Speak With an Attorney: A lawyer can explain available options, gather evidence, and identify responsible parties. Contractors often work on multi-employer sites. A lawyer can sort out which company provided unsafe equipment, failed to secure the site, or contributed to the fall through negligence.

Who May Be Liable for a Rooftop Fall?

Construction work often involves several companies at once. Responsibility for a rooftop fall may involve:

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  • General contractors who set safety protocols.
  • Subcontractors who control specific portions of the worksite.
  • Property owners who fail to correct structural hazards.
  • Equipment manufacturers when a defective ladder, harness, or anchor system breaks.

When we receive a call about roof falls, we investigate the incident thoroughly.

How can I Prevent Falls?

Falls from roofs remain common, but many accidents can be avoided when safety protocols are followed consistently:

  • Use harnesses, lanyards, and secure anchor points on every elevated job.
  • Inspect ladders and scaffolding before each shift.
  • Clean debris, tools, and materials that block walkways.
  • Stop work during rain, high humidity, strong winds, or lightning.
  • Train all workers on fall protection and emergency response.
  • Replace worn equipment promptly rather than repairing it on site.

Consistent safety practices reduce the likelihood of serious injuries and help protect workers across Houston and the surrounding construction industry.

Contact a Roof Fall Attorney in Houston, TX

If you have been injured in a roof fall this holiday season, contact the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian as soon as possible. Our firm handles contractor complaints for injuries related to refineries, oil rigs, and roof falls. We investigate every incident, and make sure that our clients get paid.

Hilda Sibrian serves the Houston metropolitan area, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, La Porte, Beaumont, Pasadena, The Woodlands, The Heights, Bellaire, Kingwood, Baytown and of course Houston proper. Call our office today at 713-714-1414 or fill out our online contact form for more information.

For more information about injuries during the holidays, read our post on car accidents during Christmas.