Construction sites are high-risk environments with serious injury potential. If an accident happened to you or a loved one on the job, seek legal help from a Chicago construction accident lawyer at our personal injury law firm.
We can guide you through the complex legal process—including the workers’ compensation insurance process—to recover compensation for your workplace injuries.
Do I Need an Attorney for a Construction Accident in Chicago?
What Causes Construction Accidents in Chicago?
Construction accidents occur on construction sites for a variety of reasons, including when construction companies fail to follow safety regulations and proper protocols. Accidents can also result from a lack of proper safety equipment and training, negligence on the part of the construction company or site manager, defective equipment or machinery, and unsafe working conditions caused by weather or other external factors.
Construction Accidents That Cause On-the-Job Injuries
There are common construction accidents that can lead to construction accident claims, resulting in most workplace injuries:
- Falls from heights: fall accidents from scaffolding or heights are a leading cause of construction-related injuries and fatalities, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- Electrocutions: contact with live wires, power lines, or faulty electrical equipment can cause severe electrical burns or death.
- Being struck by falling objects: tools, building materials, or debris can fall from upper levels and strike workers below.
- Being caught in between objects: a worker could get trapped or crushed between heavy equipment, moving vehicles, or collapsing structures.
- Machinery accidents: malfunctions or improper use of cranes, forklifts, or other heavy machinery can lead to serious injuries.
- Chemical exposures: workers can be harmed by inhaling toxic fumes or coming into contact with hazardous materials like asbestos or lead.
Types of Injuries That Can Result from a Construction Accident
Construction workers face the dangers of minor injuries as well as serious injuries, including broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, amputations, and internal organ damage.
How Are Construction Workers Protected in Chicago?
Laws to protect workers include:
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laws protect workers from accidents and injuries, setting safety standards and requiring employers in the construction industry to provide safety training, equipment, and a safe work environment.
- The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/) provides injured workers with workers’ compensation benefits to provide compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. In Illinois, if a construction employee was injured at a construction site, they can file a workers’ compensation claim with their employer.
- Third-party claims provide a way to seek the maximum possible compensation from non-employers, like contractors or manufacturers.
- Illinois law relates to motorists who enter a construction zone.
Steps to Take After a Construction Site Accident
Injured construction workers should take the following steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention for injuries sustained.
- Report a construction accident to your employer or construction site manager within 45 days. Once your employer receives notice of your injury, they must notify their workers’ compensation insurer.
- Document the accident, including photos of any injuries and the scene of the accident.
- Keep track of all medical records and expenses related to your injury.
- Consult with an experienced construction accident lawyer to understand your legal options for recovering full compensation.
How Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
Our construction accident lawyers can help pursue compensation for many construction workers by investigating the accident, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and calculating damages. We represent your personal injury claim in court if needed. We also help if your workers’ comp benefits stop unexpectedly.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Construction Accident Injuries?
In Illinois, workers’ compensation law mandates a no-fault system, meaning that injured workers generally file workers’ compensation cases for benefits regardless of who caused the construction accident.
However, if a party other than the employer—such as a contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer—is responsible for the worker’s injuries, it may be possible to pursue additional compensation through a third-party lawsuit. For example, if a worker sustained injuries in a car accident while on the job, a lawsuit may be possible.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive?
Victims of construction-related accidents may be entitled to financial compensation from workers’ compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. When a third party’s negligence caused the accident, a worker can also seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What Is My Construction Site Injury Case Worth?
Each construction accident case is unique. Your Chicago accident attorney will evaluate your case considering: the severity of your injuries, lost income, medical costs, and the extent of pain and suffering you’ve experienced. In the case of a fatality, wrongful death compensation may be possible.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
The length of your case depends on factors like accident complexity, injury severity, and insurance negotiations.
What If I Was Injured on a Construction Site, but I’m Not a Construction Worker?
People injured on a Chicago construction job site who are not construction workers may still have legal rights. Consulting with a construction accident lawyer on our legal team can help you understand your legal options and determine the best course of action.
How Much Time Do I Have to Take Action?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a construction accident lawsuit is typically two years from the date of the accident, but exceptions may apply.
You also only have 45 days to notify your employer of the accident, according to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.
Our Chicago Construction Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help
If you have been a construction accident victim on a construction project, we are here to guide you through the legal process of filing a workers’ comp claim according to Illinois law.
Call for a Free Consultation
Contact our law firm for a free initial consultation with an experienced construction accident attorney to explore your legal rights and seek full and fair compensation for your construction injury case. Our Chicago construction accident lawyers do not charge upfront fees; we operate on a contingency fee basis.
(312) 223-1700