Maine Roofing Contractor Faces Charges for Lack of Workers’ Comp Coverage

Shawn Purvis, a home improvement and roofing contractor based in Saco, Maine, finds himself in legal trouble once more, this time over allegations of failing to provide mandatory workers’ compensation coverage for his employees. This comes after Purvis was acquitted in 2021 of workplace manslaughter related to the death of his half-brother, who fell from a three-story building in Portland during a job for Purvis Home Improvement Co. Subsequently, Purvis faced a $1.6 million penalty from OSHA for multiple safety violations discovered after the fatal incident and further investigations.

During a hearing before Administrative Law Judge J. Michael Stovall in Portland, the Maine Workers’ Compensation Board presented its case, emphasizing Purvis’s failure to insure his employees as required by state law. Purvis has contended that the individuals he employs are independent contractors, thereby shifting the responsibility for safety compliance onto them. This defense strategy echoes his arguments in the manslaughter trial, where he provided safety equipment but maintained it was up to the subcontractors to use it.

Maine law presumes anyone rendering a service for payment as an employee, complicating Purvis’s defense. The state’s workers’ compensation law stipulates substantial penalties for failure to provide coverage, potentially leading to hefty fines or criminal prosecution for Purvis.

This ongoing legal battle highlights the critical importance of adhering to workers’ compensation and safety regulations within the construction industry, aiming to prevent further tragedies and ensuring a safe working environment for all laborers.