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​Experienced ILLINOIS Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
& CHICAGO Injury Lawyers

Loading Dock Accidents

Truck Crash Lawyers Advocating for Chicago Residents Harmed by Negligence

As a transportation hub, Illinois and the Chicago area house a number of loading docks. Unfortunately, these docks are a common location for serious truck accidents. Injured victims hurt by trucks used to move equipment or cargo on loading docks can sustain serious, life-changing physical harm and devastating emotional consequences. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we advocate on behalf of truck accident victims and their families throughout the state. We assess the potential fault of all involved parties, including truck drivers and their employers. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys investigate, negotiate, and, if necessary, litigate on behalf of those wronged by the careless conduct of others. Following an accident, we provide compassionate legal representation to individuals and their families who are seeking monetary compensation for their harm.

Legal Compensation May Be Available to Injured Individuals After a Loading Dock Accident

Numerous loading docks throughout the Chicago area are used to load and unload large commercial trucks. Workers and other people positioned near these trucks are at risk of serious injuries, which can lead to medical expenses, missed work wages, and even death. By pursuing a legal claim against the responsible parties, which may include the truck driver, their employer, and potentially the warehouse owner, victims may be able to recover costs associated with the truck accident.

Loading docks are high-risk areas for harm because of the presence of large industrial machinery and the constant movement of people and freight during loading and unloading activities. Specific to truck accidents involving delivery vehicles is the risk of stacked loads moving during transport, resulting in pallets that may topple, injuring loading dock workers as well as others nearby. In some cases, these injuries result in fatalities, particularly when trucks are moving in tight spaces within the loading dock.

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a truck accident near a loading dock, you may have several options to recover compensation. In addition to filing a legal claim against the truck driver or a third party that caused the accident, there may have been a defective part in the truck equipment or the loading dock machinery. An experienced attorney can help investigate and assess all of the potential causes of the accident.

Many legal claims following a truck accident at a loading dock proceed under a negligence theory of law. The victim shows that their injuries were caused by careless conduct that did not meet the standard of care required of the truck driver or their employer. An example would be a truck driver who failed to properly secure their load before entering the loading dock. If this failure led to an accident and injuries, the victim would assert this conduct as evidence of negligence.

Loading dock accidents that result in fatalities entitle the family or personal representative of the victim to file a wrongful death clam. This type of lawsuit seeks monetary compensation after the death of a loved one and is a type of personal injury claim. The burden is on the representative or family member to present evidence of negligent actions by the defendant.

In personal injury claims following a loading dock truck accident, the victim must set forth the damages associated with their injuries. Individuals are entitled to recover compensation for costs that are immediately apparent, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, and missed wages from work, as well as future medical needs and, when applicable, necessary accommodations to their home. Medical professionals can help support estimated expenses, and vocational experts can attest to the impact upon the victim’s ability to return to their previous work or seek employment in the future.

Retain a Dedicated Chicago Attorney to Secure Your Legal Rights

Personal injury lawsuits following a truck loading dock accident require an assessment by an experienced attorney in order to understand the regulations and standards specific to these types of cases. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, our Chicago lawyers represent people hurt in accidents that render them physically injured and emotionally scarred. It is our goal to provide compassionate, thorough legal advocacy that helps recover full compensation for harm suffered after enduring an injury at a loading dock. Whether you reside in Springfield, Quincy, Champaign, Aurora, or elsewhere in the counties of Cook, Kane, Sangamon, Champaign, Adams, or Winnebago, we are prepared to fight for your legal rights. To discuss the details of your claim, schedule a consultation with a skilled lawyer by calling 312-724-5846 or contacting us online.