City of Chicago Workers Struck by Falling Objects

Chicago Lawyers for Injured Employees

City of Chicago workers can be struck by falling objects, both large and small. Large objects such as steel beams can be extremely heavy and cause devastating injuries. Smaller objects may or may not be heavy, but they can also cause significant harm if they fall on you. For example, metal hand tools are small, but can cause severe head injuries if they are dropped from great heights. Although procedures may be used to minimize the risk of objects falling in a dangerous manner in the workplace, these accidents unfortunately still occur. Injuries commonly sustained by workers hit by falling objects include sprains, strains, fractures, broken bones, and bruises. If you are a City of Chicago worker who was struck by a falling object and injured on the job, you should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The City of Chicago is self-insured, but it still may unfairly deny your claim. A knowledgeable Chicago workers’ compensation attorney can assess your case and help you identify your options.

City of Chicago Workers Struck by Falling Objects

Many different kinds of City of Chicago employees are at risk for being struck by falling objects, including workers providing services related to sanitation, water management, law enforcement, emergency management, public transportation, and maintenance. City employees who work in close proximity to construction projects are also at risk.

There are precautions that should be taken to prevent accidents of this nature. For example, when lifting a heavy load, a worker should make sure the load is secure and balanced, and that there are no loose pieces that could fall and hurt somebody. A simple change in the wind could cause unsecured objects or debris to fall. Workplaces that have heightened surfaces may need to incorporate guardrails. Debris nets and toe boards may also be appropriate. Workers at risk of being struck should wear hard hats and other personal protective equipment. The proper safety equipment and procedures can minimize the risk injuries from falling objects.

Unfortunately, and in spite of precautions, City of Chicago workers do get injured due to falling objects. As a City of Chicago worker injured on the job, you may be able to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. These are benefits that are supposed to be provided regardless of fault, and a diligent workers’ compensation lawyer can help you start the process for pursuing them.

Benefits

Illinois workers’ compensation benefits can be vital in the event of an injury caused by a falling object. They can include the reasonable medical care needed to treat an injury caused by a falling object, temporary total or partial disability benefits, permanent total or partial disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits. These benefits aren’t taxable.

When a falling object is not too heavy, it’s likely that any resulting disability will be temporary and partial. You can get temporary partial disability benefits that are calculated based on what you’ve earned every week prior to your injury. In order for you to be eligible for this kind of wage replacement benefit, your doctor will need to find that you aren’t able to work at your job in your full capacity due to your injury. These benefits are available if you’re still going through medical treatment and your doctor feels that you haven’t yet reached maximum medical improvement.

In some cases, work injuries are more significant and require more extensive benefits. If your doctor finds that you aren’t able to work at all, or has imposed work restrictions for you that your employer cannot satisfy, you may be able to obtain temporary total disability benefits. These are calculated at a rate of 2/3 of your average weekly wage, with the weekly wage amount including any overtime and any income from a second job you may have.

Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Chicago Area Residents

If you are a City of Chicago worker who was struck by a falling object, you may be able to obtain benefits that can help you move forward following your injury. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, our seasoned workers’ compensation lawyers can represent injured workers in Quincy, Aurora, Champaign, and Rockford, along with areas throughout Adams, Kane, Sangamon, Winnebago, and Cook Counties. Contact us at 312-724-5846, or via our online form.