Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, the construction industry had the most workplace deaths in 2020.
If you are an injured construction worker in Illinois, talk to the construction accident attorneys at Nessler & Associates. We can help you understand your workers’ compensation benefits, investigate your case, and help you file a third-party compensation claim.
Common Construction Site Accidents
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a construction site worker can become injured in one of four types of accidents, known as the Fatal Four construction industry accidents.
Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are the most common types of construction site accidents. Trips, slips, and falls caused 32% of non-fatal injuries in the private construction industry in 2019. This type of accident also represented 37.9% of fatal construction accident deaths.
Slips and falls result from a lack of maintenance on construction sites, including slippery surfaces, dangerous scaffolding and ladders, and a lack of proper safety equipment. Some of the most common construction site injuries can be traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones.
Electrocution
Overhead power lines, faulty power cables, malfunctioning tools, and poor wiring can cause electrical shocks. Electric shocks can cause burns, numbness, and reduced mobility.
Caught-in or Caught-Between Accidents
When workers are caught between two objects, they can become crushed, squeezed, compressed, or pinned, resulting in serious injuries or wrongful death. These accidents are common for construction site workers using heavy construction equipment with moving parts.
Struck-by Accidents
Falling construction debris from cranes and scaffolds can also be a hazard for construction workers. The use of power tools can also result in flying objects hitting construction workers. Injuries from this type of construction accident include minor lacerations, eye injuries, concussions, and death.
Other Common Construction Zone Accidents
Several other types of construction accidents can happen and cause serious injury or wrongful death. Other common dangers construction workers face include:
Malfunctioning Construction Tools and Equipment
Defective machinery and construction site equipment can increase the risk of injuries on construction sites. Heavy equipment accidents can cause catastrophic injury to the worker operating it and other nearby workers.
Scaffolding Accidents
A construction project often requires scaffolding for workers to perform their tasks and protect pedestrians below. Despite the benefits of scaffolding, it carries the risk of construction accident injuries.
Workers may fall off the scaffolding due to defective equipment and a lack of safety equipment. Scaffolding might collapse if it is not constructed to comply with OSHA regulations. Heavy tools and equipment can fall from scaffolding if not adequately secured, resulting in injury or death for construction workers or pedestrians.
What You Should Do After a Construction Accident
Victims of construction accidents may be eligible to file a personal injury claim or a workers’ compensation claim to recuperate economic and non-economic damages. In addition to hiring a construction injury attorney, if you have been injured in a construction accident, you can take the following steps to protect your rights to financial recovery:
- Get medical attention: A doctor can assess if you suffered severe injuries and recommend medical treatment.
- Take pictures and videos: If possible, take photos and videos of the construction site accident, so you can later convey your story visually to your lawyer.
- Report your accident: Workers’ compensation laws require that injured workers file their claim within 45 days. File as soon as you discover your injury.
- Consult with a construction accident lawyer: A skilled lawyer with extensive experience and a track record of successful construction accident claims can help you fill out forms and analyze your medical records.
Multiple Parties May Be Liable for a Construction Accident
You may receive workers’ compensation benefits when you file a workers’ compensation insurance claim with your employer. However, a construction site accident may involve multiple negligent parties. Liable parties can include:
- Construction companies
- Property owners
- Construction site owners
- Engineers
- Architects
- Insurance companies
In a third-party claim, a construction worker injury lawyer in Illinois can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf to recover additional compensation. If a manufacturing or design defect in a piece of heavy machinery caused your injury, you may hold the manufacturer liable in a third-party product liability claim.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Construction Accident Lawsuit?
Third-party personal injury claims could be used to recover additional financial compensation under Illinois law, including:
- Medical expenses
- Disfigurement
- Past and future loss of wages
- Past and future disability
- Pain and suffering
In cases involving a construction site and responsible parties, an attorney qualified in construction injuries can help you pursue legal action to receive a fair settlement.
How Can a Construction Injury Law Firm Help?
An injured worker on a construction site typically files a workers’ compensation claim and cannot sue their employer. Workers’ compensation provides some basic benefits, but you may also be eligible to file a third-party lawsuit depending on your circumstances.
Engaging the services of an experienced attorney is crucial for workers’ compensation claims in the construction industry. A skilled attorney can help you navigate legal issues, worksite safety regulations, and complex workers’ compensation laws during this difficult time.
They gather medical records, witness statements, expert testimonies, and video and photographic evidence to help build your case. They also ensure that all documents are filed before the 3-year statute of limitations on workers’ compensation claims expires.
Having Skilled Legal Representation is Vital
For more than 35 years, the construction injury lawyers at Nessler & Associates have worked to protect injured workers across Illinois. We know how demanding the jobs in your industry can be and the impact on your quality of life when sidelined by an injury.
If you have been injured on the job site and are concerned about how you’ll pay your medical bills or support your family, know that you are not alone. Our team of qualified construction site attorneys uses their expertise to ensure you get all the benefits and compensation you are owed.
We’ve helped injured workers across Illinois, from Cook County to Macon County, recover millions in compensation. We don’t get paid unless your case is settled or won, so contact an Illinois construction accident lawyer at 800-727-8010 to schedule your free case evaluation and let us help you protect your legal rights.