Construction site injuries send many workers to the emergency room in crippling pain. Workers and their families need financial compensation after any accident, but the promise of workers’ compensation benefits is an illusion for many. They are shocked to receive a denial notice, and no one will answer their questions. Please contact Michael J. Lichner today to schedule a free consultation.
Our firm has won many workplace accident cases, particularly for construction workers.
Accident victims face an uphill climb, unfortunately. Illinois law limits who you can sue and when, while demanding strict adherence to deadlines. We have obtained financial compensation for many people hurt in the construction trades, and we can provide an overview of your legal rights. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Construction Workers Are Injured
Construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in Illinois. Workers are often handling heavy and dangerous machinery or operating motor vehicles in tight spaces. Other workers perform work high up and need restraint systems to prevent them from falling to the ground.
We can help clients who suffered construction site injuries in the following ways:
- Falls. Many workers will fall from an upper level to the ground below, suffering traumatic brain injuries and back injuries. Other workers slip and fall because of debris on the ground, landing before they can brace themselves.
- Struck-by accidents. Workers might be struck by a motor vehicle at the job site, like a forklift or backhoe, or when an object falls on them, like a hammer falling off a roof. These struck-by accidents lead to concussions, amputations, and crush injuries, among others.
- Electrocution. Power tools and live wires are only some of the most common electrocution dangers on many construction sites. Electrocution can lead to brain injuries, burns, and heart attacks.
- Punctures and lacerations. Defective saws, nail guns, and other tools can cut or puncture a worker, leading to major injuries and infection. You should immediately seek medical help.
- Burns. Construction workers are burned whenever a fire breaks out or sometimes when handling dangerous chemicals. Someone who works with concrete could suffer a chemical burn, for example.
- Heat-related injuries. Heat stroke is common, especially in the summer months. A worker could pass out or suffer a stroke. Heat stress also increases the likelihood a construction worker will make some mistake, such as accidentally falling from a roof.
- Excessive noise. Construction sites are loud—so loud, that some workers will suffer hearing loss. Construction companies must ensure that noise levels remain reasonable and provide equipment like sound-deadening muffs or earplugs.
- Air pollution or toxic chemicals. Construction workers have brought claims for inhaling particulate matter and toxins like asbestos. Respiratory illnesses are common, and you can have a claim if you trace your illness back to exposure at your job site.
These are some of the major causes of construction site injuries. Our law firm is eager to hear from anyone who was hurt at work.
What Compensation Can You Receive?
You might qualify for the following, depending on the facts:
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
You should qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, including medical care benefits for construction worker injuries.
Workers might also receive temporary disability benefits or permanent benefits when they cannot work.
Others will suffer a permanent partial injury, such as the loss of a hand or the use of a limb.
Contact our firm to discuss how much you might receive.
We can also seek benefits for vocational rehabilitation to retrain a worker. Some construction workers might be so injured they can’t return to the trades, but they might be able to do other work.
Workers’ comp benefits are no-fault, so your negligence shouldn’t bar you from benefits.
Nonetheless, some workers struggle to get a claim approved—and there are many unfair denials.
Product Liability Claims
Illinois prevents workers from suing their employer if they receive workers’ comp, which is the exclusive remedy for an on-the-job injury. However, you might sue the manufacturer of a product for a defect:
- Power tools that are missing critical safety features or instructions
- Earplugs that fail to work properly, leading to hearing loss
- Ineffective goggles which can lead to blindness or eye damage
- Scaffolding which collapses underneath a worker due to a manufacturing defect
- Defectively designed forklifts or other motor vehicles that tip over
Let us review whether a dangerous product contributed to an accident. We might sue the manufacturer for all reasonable compensation.
Personal Injury Lawsuits (Bystanders)
Any bystander could bring a personal injury claim for an injury suffered at the construction site.
They will need to prove negligence, which is the failure to use sufficient care. You might end up suing the site owner, the general contractor, or another party.
Some people are struck on the sidewalk when a building collapses or materials rain down from a roof. Others are injured when a dump truck or other vehicle exits the job site and strikes them.
Contact Michael J. Lichner. You can seek full compensation for all losses, including medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Personal Injury Lawsuits (Construction Worker)
Workers are much more limited in who they can bring a negligence claim against. Nonetheless, you might bring a personal injury claim, depending on the facts. As an example, a member of the public could have driven into the job site and struck you. Although you were hurt working, you can usually bring a personal injury claim in addition to your workers’ comp claim for benefits.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Construction Injuries Lawyer
Construction is a critical industry in Joliet. New buildings are going up all the time, but too many workers are still ending up in the hospital with construction worker injuries. Call our law firm if you have a question about benefits or were denied.
Our firm can help appeal the denial of a workers’ compensation claim. We might also negotiate a settlement with a product manufacturer or other defendant in a personal injury claim. We also proudly serve personal injury clients in DuPage County, Cook County, and all other Northern Illinois counties. Contact us to learn more about what steps to take after a workplace accident.