I saw a post that Art re posted and had to respond here, in what I consider my "cleaning family". Diego Garcia Go Fund Me
Few people know that I fell in 2013 at the beginning of the season after 36 years of successfully climbing ladders. It was a precarious situation, one that I should have walked away from but we "have" to always help our customer. A single repair on the starter course, in the back, on a hill, too many trees and no gutter. Since there was no way to stand up the 36' ladder I opted to use the stand off and approach from under the soffit with the 22' fully extended. With nothing to hold on to I found myself past the point of no return and could not fly! We guesstimated my landing spot to be about 32' (we were on a hill). I got the breath knocked out like never before, sat up and told Gabriel (no long works here) to give me a minute and I will be back to work. He let me know my elbow was a mess though there was no pain. I did have quite a bit of pain somewhere within my rib cage so off to the emergency room we go.
Two broken ribs, busted the tip off my elbow that needed surgery. I sat in the corner on a futon for two months. Sleeping in a bed with broken ribs is not an option. I tell this story to remind all of you that what we do is dangerous. Safety, safety and a little more safety! I could be on a mantle or eating out of a straw!
I wish I knew about go fund me back then, it sure would have helped! Whatever you can part with, let's help this man out! And the next time a customer says, "you want that to clean gutters?", I will only remind them that someone is risking their life to help them!
Glad your doing well now Brett, I have had many close calls over the years.
Good post
Diamond Roof Cleaning said
Jul 25, 2017
Is this guy a business owner or an employee? Also why arent they going after the employer with no insurance?
Admin said
Jul 25, 2017
He's an Employee, No Comp. and No Liability Ins.
Fred W said
Jul 25, 2017
I did donate but I am with Michael. I carry work comp on myself as well. I do wish we all would/could.
Diamond Roof Cleaning said
Jul 25, 2017
Ok then why arent they going after the employer? Doesnt matter if he has ins or not he is still liable.
-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Tuesday 25th of July 2017 10:11:11 PM
Art O said
Jul 26, 2017
I'm sure they will, but all that takes time
BlueRidge said
Jul 26, 2017
Diamond Roof Cleaning wrote:
Ok then why arent they going after the employer? Doesnt matter if he has ins or not he is still liable.
-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Tuesday 25th of July 2017 10:11:11 PM
I agree Mike. In VA you can sue the home owner as well. Most don't know that and why it is so important for people to hire fully insured contractors.
Fred W said
Jul 26, 2017
What company did he work for?
I was under the impression he was the business owner....
Diamond Roof Cleaning said
Jul 26, 2017
Usually when a patient goes to the hospital from a work related injury they ask what the name of the employer is. Then the hospital will go after the employer and the patient wont have to pay. Also i though under obama care everyone has to be covered?
Fred W said
Jul 29, 2017
I just saw where they are asking for more donations because the business owner was not carrying work comp. I don't want to sound harsh or insensitive but I have already donated and whoever owns the business should be stepping up to the plate and getting a second mortgage, selling any extra vehicles and continuing Diego's wages.
If you have employees......you need work comp....period.
Bryan P said
Jul 30, 2017
I assume he was probably working as a sub for a contractor who had exempted himself. A guy like that can get around it if the sub is truly that (sub provides his own tools, supplies, vehicle, etc). I can't hire uninsured subs because I have insurance.
BlueRidge said
Jul 30, 2017
Baton Rouge Roof Cleaner wrote:
I just saw where they are asking for more donations because the business owner was not carrying work comp. I don't want to sound harsh or insensitive but I have already donated and whoever owns the business should be stepping up to the plate and getting a second mortgage, selling any extra vehicles and continuing Diego's wages.
If you have employees......you need work comp....period.
Doug, you are 100% correct. I donated, I hope others will, due to an employer trying to save a buck. People take jobs thinking their employer is doing everything the right way. It might take way too much time but the employer will wish he spent 1K (round figure) to see that his employee would be taken care of in the event of the unfortunate. I understand there is a lawyer involved.
Fred W said
Jul 30, 2017
BlueRidge wrote:
I understand there is a lawyer involved.
As much as I hate lawyers.........Good.
This is just one of those stories I wish would hit the big media and push for hiring legit contractors.
BlueRidge said
Jul 30, 2017
Baton Rouge Roof Cleaner wrote:
BlueRidge wrote:
I understand there is a lawyer involved.
As much as I hate lawyers.........Good.
This is just one of those stories I wish would hit the big media and push for hiring legit contractors.
Ditto! Yes, that would be a good thing if this were national. I would only guess most states have the same or similar laws we have here that few home owners know the first thing about. So few ask one word about insurance and the tire kicking bottom feeders care about price only. If anyone got hurt on their property they can be sued as well as the contractor.
Bryan P said
Jul 30, 2017
My comment above was simply to say, it happens all the time. I saw this all the time in the roofing business. guys would "hire" all subcontractors to get out of dealing with taxes or insurance. I bet the lawyer works for the hospital. My friend had a painter fall and break his leg at his house. Nobody had insurance there so the hospital lawyer got the money from the homeowner's policy.
BlueRidge said
Aug 1, 2017
I just thought I would share the latest update.
"Family and Friends - God has heard your prayers. Diego Garcia is good today and vitals are better than ever since he checked in on 7/19/2017 at the hospital. His temp is 97.4 and heart rate 88 blood pressure 102/64 and oxygen is 94. He have long way to go but with his vitals been normal you can go to sleep and rest tonight. He is still induce coma, critical condition but stable."
I saw a post that Art re posted and had to respond here, in what I consider my "cleaning family". Diego Garcia Go Fund Me
Few people know that I fell in 2013 at the beginning of the season after 36 years of successfully climbing ladders. It was a precarious situation, one that I should have walked away from but we "have" to always help our customer. A single repair on the starter course, in the back, on a hill, too many trees and no gutter. Since there was no way to stand up the 36' ladder I opted to use the stand off and approach from under the soffit with the 22' fully extended. With nothing to hold on to I found myself past the point of no return and could not fly! We guesstimated my landing spot to be about 32' (we were on a hill). I got the breath knocked out like never before, sat up and told Gabriel (no long works here) to give me a minute and I will be back to work. He let me know my elbow was a mess though there was no pain. I did have quite a bit of pain somewhere within my rib cage so off to the emergency room we go.
Two broken ribs, busted the tip off my elbow that needed surgery. I sat in the corner on a futon for two months. Sleeping in a bed with broken ribs is not an option. I tell this story to remind all of you that what we do is dangerous. Safety, safety and a little more safety! I could be on a mantle or eating out of a straw!
I wish I knew about go fund me back then, it sure would have helped! Whatever you can part with, let's help this man out! And the next time a customer says, "you want that to clean gutters?", I will only remind them that someone is risking their life to help them!
Good post
Ok then why arent they going after the employer? Doesnt matter if he has ins or not he is still liable.
-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Tuesday 25th of July 2017 10:11:11 PM
I agree Mike. In VA you can sue the home owner as well. Most don't know that and why it is so important for people to hire fully insured contractors.
I was under the impression he was the business owner....
If you have employees......you need work comp....period.
Doug, you are 100% correct. I donated, I hope others will, due to an employer trying to save a buck. People take jobs thinking their employer is doing everything the right way. It might take way too much time but the employer will wish he spent 1K (round figure) to see that his employee would be taken care of in the event of the unfortunate. I understand there is a lawyer involved.
As much as I hate lawyers.........Good.
This is just one of those stories I wish would hit the big media and push for hiring legit contractors.
Ditto! Yes, that would be a good thing if this were national. I would only guess most states have the same or similar laws we have here that few home owners know the first thing about. So few ask one word about insurance and the tire kicking bottom feeders care about price only. If anyone got hurt on their property they can be sued as well as the contractor.
I just thought I would share the latest update.
"Family and Friends - God has heard your prayers. Diego Garcia is good today and vitals are better than ever since he checked in on 7/19/2017 at the hospital. His temp is 97.4 and heart rate 88 blood pressure 102/64 and oxygen is 94. He have long way to go but with his vitals been normal you can go to sleep and rest tonight. He is still induce coma, critical condition but stable."