A broken pelvis is the last thing I needed!

Thank you all for your encouraging remarks and advise. At the time of my accident I had one fellow in training (has been with me about a year) plus 2 labourers. There is no one to really take charge and work solo to keep things going. My oldest son offered to ask for a leave of absence at his employer but I told him his electrician career was more important than trying to hold things together on my end.

I have cancelled all upcoming contracts with people and will let them find someone else to do their work. I was reluctant to recommend anyone because if the job went sideways I would feel some what responsible.

I have somewhat determined that this may be the end of the road as I already suffer from previous injuries (2 broken heels in 1991, broken right ankle in 1992, 5 ribs and punctured lung in 1993 plus other breaks in my younger years being a foot and a kneecap)

I also have a torn rotator muscle in my left shoulder plus numbness in the side of my left hand and two fingers from the latest fall. It is suprising how much damage you can do in a fall of less than 8 feet.>>>

That is going to hurt for the rest of your life. Ouch!>>>

I hate to see anyone not be able to determine their own terms for quitting, so I'm hoping this doesn't end up to be a career-ender for you. Myself though, I was laid up with two broken wrists and the revelations from that experience provided me with the incentive to cut way back on future exposure. In the roofing business recovery time sometimes ends up being the longest vacation time we get, I hope you are able to take advantage of it.>>>

Gerry At 55 you have a wealth of experience to share so a move into management may be the way to go.>>>

PC I hope by " no throwing in the towel allowed " you didn't mean stop roofing That is the first thing IMO should be done . There are a few niche areas in the roofing business model that most don't think of. I would go there . My advice " GET OFF THE ROOF " You still have time to change . It is like trying to stop smoking . When you find yourself near the ladder walk away . Now is your opportunity if you have set yourself up go for it . If you haven't do it now. Roofing is not for the damaged ." You are damaged . " Think of your children and family . They will want grand and or dad around .>>>

Way sorry to hear about your bad break! I hope the healing progresses quickly and painlessly. 6 months is a long time. Do you have a trusted employee that can step up to take over while you are laid up? It would not be easy but were I in the same situation I would have to put my foreman in charge of things and assist as much as I possibly could. You will need to have him out calling on potential customers, measuring jobs and taking lots of pictures so that you could maybe still do the estimating and then have him, or someone with some experience, try to do the selling. This will be a major hurdle for sure but I would have no better options than to try to keep my business alive. I know you were always hands on and are probably the best roofer in the company but how many employees were you running? Is there another roofer in the area that you have worked wih in the past that could help out, maybe take over your leads and give you a cut on whatever work he can sell? In my case I would have to keep the business alive some how because I have never found a good alternative employment opportunity to pay the bills and I sure as heck couldn't retire. I know that Kage and a couple of other posters are in your area. Maybe you get them to help out. Hang in there Seen-It-All, I'm sure all of us here would be willing to help out with moral support. I wish I could come out and lend a hand but that's not real practical. Maybe one of the posters here that are slow could come out and help. Keep us posted on how things are going.>>>

Probably the last one to speak since I'm not a roofer but been known to associate with a few...first, sorry to hear and also glad your home and you will be sound someday. This doesn't mean an end, it means a change. Since you will be layed up for a while, time for thought. No throwing in the towel allowed. Hey, I got you beat in years by a little, set backs have been my specialty lately. So your name is not true, you thought you seen it all. Open the eyes, there is always more, the sky gets dark but eventually the sun will shine.

Get yourself better first, most important. Respectfully, PC>>>