Key Homeowner Takeaways
- •If you hire a licensed contractor with active Workers' Compensation insurance, the worker's exclusive remedy is through their employer's policy—shielding you from personal injury lawsuits.
- •If you hire an uninsured handyman or 'under-the-table' crew to save money, YOU can be held personally liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages.
- •Homeowner negligence (such as failing to warn workers of known rotten decking or supplying a broken ladder) can pierce legal liability protections.
- •Always demand a Certificate of Insurance (COI) sent directly from the contractor's insurance broker proving active General Liability AND Workers' Comp before work begins.
1. The Workers' Compensation Legal Shield Explained
In Arkansas and across the United States, Workers' Compensation laws provide an 'exclusive remedy' doctrine. When a roofer working for an insured roofing company suffers a fall injury, the worker's medical expenses, rehabilitation, and disability payments are paid 100% by the contractor's Workers' Compensation policy.
Under standard contract law, the injured employee is legally barred from suing the hiring homeowner, provided the homeowner did not directly control work operations or introduce hidden hazards.
2. The Catastrophic Risk of Hiring Uninsured Contractors
Many budget handymen and unregistered roofers advertise rates 30% below market price because they skip expensive Workers' Compensation coverage (which can cost $25–$40 per $100 of roofing payroll).
If an uninsured worker falls off your two-story roof and suffers a severe spinal injury or traumatic brain injury, their personal injury attorney will file a direct lawsuit against you as the property owner. Your standard homeowner policy liability limits ($300,000 to $500,000) may be quickly exhausted, putting your personal savings and home equity at risk.
General Liability ONLY covers damage to your property (e.g., if a roofer drops a bundle of shingles through your ceiling). It does NOT cover injured workers. You MUST verify active Workers' Compensation insurance.
3. When a Homeowner Can Still Be Found Negligent
Even with insured contractors, homeowners must avoid two dangerous legal pitfalls:
**Hidden Known Hazards**: If you knew your roof deck had severe dry rot around a chimney that could collapse under foot and failed to disclose it to the crew, you could face negligence claims.
**Directing & Controlling Work**: Never loan contractors your personal ladders, safety ropes, or scaffolding, and never direct workers on how to climb or stage the roof. Let licensed professionals control jobsite safety 100%.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a roofing company's workers' compensation in Arkansas?
Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI). Call the insurance agent listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is active and specifically includes statutory Workers' Compensation coverage for roofing operations.
Does Haven Roofing carry full workers' compensation and liability?
Yes. Haven Roofing maintains $2,000,000 in General Liability insurance and comprehensive statutory Workers' Compensation on every installer and technician on your property.