Billings Grandmother is Seriously Injured After Falling from Roof

This story breaks our hearts.

A Billings woman was seriously injured on December 6th after a rooftop fall. Karen Finstad, sole guardian of her three-year-old granddaughter, suffered numerous broken bones and fractures, including her back between vertebrae T7 and T8. Doctors fused vertebrae T4-T11. Finstad also broke 15 ribs (humans have 24) and her thumb. She currently has no feeling below her navel, according to information provided by GoFundMe.

She faces months of recovery out of state.

The grandmother is headed to a specialized clinic in Spokane, WA, and is expected to be there for many months for care and rehabilitation. At this time, the fundraiser is to help pay for costs incurred during her recovery, and importantly, to help cover the expenses she faces to have professionals care for her granddaughter while she's unable to do so.  A donor wrote,

Karen has been through a lot in her life. She also has taken care of her father, and sister in the past. and now her 3 year old granddaughter who she won't be able to do now.

Rooftop falls send thousands to the ER annually.

According to the CDC, an average of 300 construction workers die annually from falls that occur while working at heights, typically from ladders, scaffolding, or rooftops. The agency notes,

Most fatal falls happen to roofing and finishing contractors in residential construction. Immigrant workers, workers for small construction companies, and younger/older workers also are at increased risk. 

It's not just construction workers getting hurt. Roofing company Code Engineered Systems shared the stat that 97% of all roof-related accidents happen to non-professionals (i.e. homeowners). Around 150,000 Americans end up in the emergency room each year from injuries that occur while working on a ladder or roof.

You can help Karen Finstad HERE.