Construction Accidents
Work Injury Lawyers Representing People in and around Chicago
Construction workers are exposed to health and safety hazards daily, and in Illinois alone, thousands unfortunately suffer injuries or fatalities each year. Although workers may be aware of the hazards posed by their workplace, they do not waive their legal right to compensation for job-related injuries. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, our Chicago construction accident attorneys have experience pursuing many avenues of liability in workers’ compensation claims as well as lawsuits against third parties. Our injury lawyers provide personal and dedicated services during investigations, negotiations, and litigation.
Explore Your Options After a Construction Accident
Construction accidents may be caused by a variety of factors, such as the fault of individuals or defective equipment. Investigating the cause of the accident is crucial to a successful claim, and it may result in multiple theories of recovery. For example, construction accidents may result in workers’ compensation claims as well as product liability claims.
Construction sites are a type of workplace, and for that reason, Illinois provides workers’ compensation benefits to individuals who suffer injuries in the course and scope of their employment on a construction site. Workers’ compensation is generally an exclusive remedy with regard to the worker’s employer, so the employee may not also bring a personal injury claim against their employer in most cases.
However, an injured worker who brings a workers’ compensation claim may also sometimes pursue a third-party claim following a construction accident. Third-party lawsuits arise when someone other than the employer was at least partly at fault for causing the accident and the resulting injuries. For example, a highway worker may have suffered injuries when they were struck by a passing motorist. This worker may be able to pursue a negligence claim against the motorist, as well as a workers’ compensation claim.
On construction sites, it is common for a subcontractor to oversee projects. If a worker suffers injuries due to the negligence of a subcontractor, that entity may be held liable for their harm. Sometimes, multiple subcontracts may be at fault for causing harm to a construction worker.
Accidents that take place on construction sites also may result from improperly designed equipment. For example, the driver of a forklift may suffer injuries if the engine suddenly fails, and the driver is thrown against the windshield of the vehicle. If the forklift was rented from a construction supplier, and the supplier failed to properly maintain the vehicle, that party may be liable for improper maintenance.
Damages that may be recovered by a successful plaintiff in a construction accident case range from medical expenses to lost wages and pain and suffering, as well as similarly intangible forms of harm.
Retain a Chicago Attorney to Pursue a Construction Accident Case
At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we are proud to represent workers in their claims for compensation following a construction accident. Protecting the safety of workers is critical, and individuals or entities must properly maintain equipment and ensure that workers can conduct their job tasks safely. Our Chicago construction accident lawyers have assisted victims in Springfield, Champaign, Rockford, Aurora, and Quincy, as well as other communities in Cook, Kane, Champaign, Sangamon, Winnebago, and Adams Counties. Contact us at 312-724-5846 or through our online form for a free consultation with a personal injury or workers’ compensation attorney.
- Causes of Injuries on Construction Sites
- Construction vehicle accident
- Crane Accidents
- Crushing injuries
- Dangerous Machinery
- Defective tools or equipment
- Demolition Accidents
- Electrocution
- Elevator accidents
- Exposure to Hazardous Substances
- Falling objects
- Fires or explosions
- Forklift accident
- Lack of safety equipment
- Roof and Floor Collapse
- Scaffold Accidents
- Slip and Fall
- Trench Collapse
- Wrongful death