[Scuba Steve]

I'm interested in some basic advice, and whether I'm completely screwing up a situation.

I own a rental house and I've been planning on replacing the roof in between tenants because it's getting old. It doesn't leak and there were no structural issues of any kind in the attic noted by the inspector when I bought it 2 1/2 years ago or by anyone doing work in there or up above. It seemed otherwise healthy and happy. Or it did until yesterday.

I got a phone call about an accident that happened at the end of loading all the materials onto the roof. No injuries at least, but the roof collapsed. I have no idea of the distribution of the load or the he said/they said between the roofer and material provider, whether they were ready for it or any of that. Damage is pretty bad beyond the obvious with the roof, the second floor wall on one side of the house bowed out 1', the chimney broke off in the attic space and the opposite side wall is out an inch or so. The flooring in a 2nd floor bedroom also buckled, plaster cracked and whatnot. I'm not a civil engineer so this is just what I notice.

The house is also considered historic so this will be "fun." The material provider's insurance sent a civil engineer out already but I know nothing of their report or whether one is even made at this point. I know a builder/civil engineer and we are going to look tomorrow. No clue what the roofing company is up to with their insurance. My homeowner's insurance does not cover damage by contractor so they're not involved.

I walked around with everyone and we saw no insect damage or rot and there have been no signs of any defects up there so I doubt this will fall back on me. At this point I'm thinking about how not to get screwed. An attorney on my side would be a wise move but don't know what kind. Maybe construction? Beyond that and going in with an engineer of my own to come up with a plan to stabilize and then another to repair the damage I'm at a loss for how to proceed.