Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer
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- Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered injuries resulting from a construction accident in Chicago, IL, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact TorHoerman Law to discuss your legal options with an experienced Chicago construction accident lawyer, free of charge and no obligation required.
Want a faster analysis of your potential Chicago construction accident lawsuit? Use our chatbot below to get an instant online case evaluation.
You are not alone on the road to recovery. Contact the best personal injury lawyer Chicago has to offer: TorHoerman Law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have a strong Chicago construction accident lawsuit case?
It depends on the specific details of your incident. The best way to determine if you have a strong case is to speak with a Chicago construction accident lawyer first.
Should I hire a Chicago construction accident lawyer?
First, you should consult an attorney to discuss your situation. A Chicago construction accident lawyer will only take on your case if it is strong enough to hold up in court. If it is, then it is smart to consider hiring a legal representative to help navigate the complex Illinois court systems.
I suffered a construction accident in Chicago, IL. Should I file for worker's comp?
You should try and file for worker’s compensation. Keep in mind, worker’s compensation does not always compensate for the full amount of losses in more serious injuries.
Table of Contents
Chicago Construction Accidents & Injuries
Chicago is one of the nation’s largest construction centers. Thousands of men and women work on sites across the city and metropolitan area on tasks ranging from skilled trades to administrative operations. Unfortunately, construction site accidents are fairly common. Construction is a high-hazard industry with higher rates of injuries and fatalities than other occupations.
If you or a loved one were hurt at a Chicago construction site, you deserve help and representation. Construction companies should maintain safe worksites and protect workers from hazards. On-the-job injuries can be devastating, and they often leave workers and their families in a financial and legal bind. Chicago construction workers do not have to deal with accidents on their own. The following information, resources, and tools will help assist those who were injured on the job.
Common Construction Accident Injuries
The construction industry has one of the highest on-the-job personal injury rates. Workers should be familiar with these potential injuries so that they can take appropriate precautions. Common construction site injuries are often severe and can even end up being fatal. Common Chicago construction accidents injuries include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Burns from fires, electrocutions, and explosions
- Head or Brain Injuries
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Common Causes of Chicago Construction Fatalities
Unfortunately, Chicago construction site fatalities do happen. In fact, the construction industry has one of the highest rates of workplace deaths. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that approximately 1 in 5 workplace fatalities occurs at construction sites.
OSHA has identified four common causes that account for the majority (58.6%) of construction-related fatalities. These causes are known as the “Fatal Four” and include falls, struck by object, electrocutions, and caught-in / between. The following data outlines the gravity and severity of these accidents:
Slip and Falls
Falls accounted for 338 of 1,008 (33.5%) of total deaths in construction.Struck by Object
Workers stuck by objects accounted for 112 (11.1%) of total construction-related deaths.Electrocutions
Electrocutions accounted for 86 (8.5%) of construction worker deaths.Caught In-between Objects
Includes incidents where workers were caught in or compressed by equipment or objects, or struck, crushed, or caught by collapsing structures, materials, and equipment. These situations accounted for 55 (5.5%) of construction deaths.Chicago Construction Worker Rights & Protections
Chicago construction workers have rights and protections provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The agency both sets and enforces on-the-job health and safety regulations. OSHA also provides assistance, training, and information for United States employers and workers. In 1970, congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). The OSH Act was designed to prevent workplace accidents and injuries, and it states that U.S. employers must provide workings conditions from that are free known dangers. This federal law provides the following rights for all workers in the United States:
- To work in an environment free from known safety and health hazards
- To review work-related injury and illness records
- To be provided adequate safety equipment
- To be protected from toxic chemicals
- To receive and review copies of workplace hazard test results
- To report injuries and illnesses and to receive copies of medical records
- To view copies of workplace injury and illness logs
- To receive training in a language they understand
How Do I File a Complaint against a Construction Company?
Construction companies must provide safe working conditions free from reasonable risks and hazards. If a construction site you work on seems unsafe, first reach out to your employer or the manager of the construction site. If your complaints are not adequately addressed, you have legal protection under federal law. A Chicago construction accident lawyer can help you better understand your rights and help you file an OSHA Safety and Health Complaint or Whistleblower Complaint.
How to File a Chicago Workplace Safety & Health Complaint
OSHA provides employees and their representatives the confidential right to file safety and health complaints or to request an OSHA workplace inspection if they believe that an employer is not following OSHA regulations. Workers should file complaints as soon as possible. Complaints that are signed are more likely to result in on-site inspections. Online: Using the OSHA Online Complaint Form Fax/Mail/Email: Completing the OSHA Complaint Form (En Español) or writing a letter and sending them to the Chicago OSHA Office Phone: Call the Chicago OSHA Office or 800-321-6742 In-Person: Visit your Local OSHA Office to discuss your complaint with the staffHow to File a Chicago Workplace Whistleblower Complaint
Employees have the right to file OSHA whistleblower complaints if they believe their employer retaliated against them for exercising their rights given by OSHA workplace protection laws. Online: Using the OSHA Online Whistleblower Complaint Form Fax/Mail/Email: Completing the OSHA Whistleblower Complaint Form or writing a letter and sending them to the Chicago OSHA Office Phone: Call the Chicago OSHA Office or 800-321-6742 In Person: Visit your Local OSHA Office to discuss your whistleblower complaint with the staff Visit the OSHA File a Complaint page to learn more about how to file a legal workplace complaint.What Should I Do If I Am Injured At a Construction Site?
Worksite accidents are fairly common in the construction industry, so it’s crucial that workers know how to handle them. The following actions will help reduce the severity of your injury and increase your likelihood of legal and financial compensation. To handle a construction site injury, take the following actions:
Mitigate Your Injuries and Losses
It’s important to seek treatment for your injuries immediately. Mitigation is crucial for both your health and recovery, and it helps your chances for a successful claim. The timeliness in which you seek care and the extent of your treatment can have a significant impact on your construction accident settlement, damages, and workers’ compensation benefits. Read on to learn more about Chicago construction injury treatment options.Report Your Accident
Report and document your construction accident injury with your employer or on-site manager. Full documentation of the incident and your injuries will help strengthen your potential construction accident lawsuit. Get the phone numbers and contact information of any witnesses who can support your claims. Gather and preserve evidence that helps to further prove your on-the-job injury. Take photos of your injury and the accident location. If you can, obtain or preserve any objects that caused or related to your construction accidentContact a Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer
Working with a successful Chicago construction injury lawyer will help ensure that your case is strong. Legal representation increases your chances of receiving full compensation for your damages including injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. Be aware of Illinois’ statute of limitations and make sure to file your personal injury claim on time. Contact TorHoerman Law to learn more about our experienced team of Chicago personal injury lawyers and construction accident attorneys.Construction Accident Lawsuit Claims
Construction accident lawsuits vary depending on the type of accident. If you were hurt while working, there are several legal options you might take. You might also be eligible for financial compensation. It is highly recommended to contact a successful construction accident attorney to learn more about handling your case.
Chicago Construction Personal Injury
Personal injury lawsuits cover any injuries, damages, or loss of the body, mind, or emotional well-being (for example, a car accident). Personal injury lawsuits require that the plaintiff prove that their injury resulted from the negligence of a third party. In the case of a construction accident personal injury lawsuit, the worker’s damages would be because of the employer’s negligence. A personal injury attorney can help you better understand your employee rights and legal options.Chicago Construction Product Liability
Product liability lawsuits cover cases where a product malfunctions by a design defect, manufacturing defect, or marketing defects. If a defective product causes consumer or worker injury, it can be considered unreasonably dangerous. Product liability lawyers can help injured workers determine which companies are liable for the damages.Chicago Construction Wrongful Death
If a family member was killed on the job, you and your family might be eligible for compensation through a wrongful death settlement. A wrongful death attorney works to help families prove that the death was because of another person’s, or company’s, misconduct or negligence. Workplace wrongful death lawsuits can help families earn economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.Filing a Construction Accident Lawsuit
You could be eligible for a construction accident lawsuit. Contact a Chicago construction accident lawyer to learn more about your legal options. When filing a suit, it’s important to gather relevant evidence such as any relevant names, companies, photos, videos, bills, or receipts. Your attorney will examine the evidence and facts to determine who is liable for your injuries and damages.
Use our chatbot to receive a free, instant online case evaluation and find out if you qualify for compensation through a Chicago construction accident lawsuit right now.
Hiring a Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt while working, you deserve proper compensation for your injuries. At TorHoerman Law, we have a team of Chicago construction accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers with years of success in the Cook County court system. Our law firm offers free, no-obligation consultations. We base our services on contingency fees; this means that our clients do not pay until we have helped them gain compensation for their pain and suffering. Contact TorHoerman today to learn more about your Chicago construction accident lawsuit.
How Common are Construction Site Accidents in Chicago?
Construction accidents are common in Chicago, the state of Illinois, and across the country. Workers are exposed to potential hazards including heavy equipment, electrocutions, and potentially dangerous machinery. While state and federal laws are designed to keep workers safe, construction is still one of the more dangerous occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provided the following facts about construction work injuries in 2018 in Illinois:
- There were 4,800 nonfatal construction industry injuries and illnesses with 2,000 accounting for cases resulting in days away from work.
- The construction industry had 25 workplace fatalities in 2018.
- The construction and extraction industry had the second-highest number of workplace facilities of any industry in the state.
- Specialty trade contractors accounted for 56% of construction industry fatalities.
- Of the 184 fatal work injuries in Illinois, 76% of the workers were salaried or worked for wages. The remaining 24% were self-employed.
Chicago Construction Accidents in the News
I-90 Fatal Des Plains Construction Death
The Chicago Tribune reported that one worker was killed and three others were injured when a support beam fell at a construction site in Des Plaines, a Chicago suburb. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said that the incident would have been preventable if OSHA standards and regulations were followed. OSHA had previously issued nine citations to Omega Demolition Corp. of Elgin who employed the worker who was killed.
Museum of Science and Industry Forklift Injury
According to ABC 7 Chicago, a 51-year-old construction worker was seriously injured while working inside the Museum of Science and Industry located on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive. The worker was struck by a forklift and pinned underneath for about 45 minutes. The worker was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical but stable condition.
Construction Worker Crushed, Killed in Crane Incident
A construction worker was killed in Chicago’s Near North Side neighborhood after being pinned by a crane. The Chicago Tribune reported that the worker was working on a high-rise building before a descending crane pinned him against a shaft. The worker was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died.
Accident Treatment Centers in Chicago
If you were injured while on the job, seek quality medical treatment and care immediately. Potential treatment options for your injuries include surgeries, therapies, and medications. The following Chicago hospitals and medical centers provide quality construction injury treatment and care:
- Northwest Memorial Hospital — Chicago, Illinois, 60611— 312-926-2000
- University of Chicago Medical Center— Chicago, Illinois, 60637 — 773-702-1000
- NorthShore University HealthSystem— Evanston, Illinois, 60201 — 847-570-2000
- Rush University Medical Center— Chicago, Illinois, 60612 — 312-942-5000
- Loyola University Medical Center — Maywood, Illinois, 60153 — 888-584-7888
TorHoerman Law, Chicago Construction Accident Law Firm
TorHoerman Law is a trusted Chicago construction accident law firm located in the heart of the city and representing individuals across the greater Chicago area. Our team of Chicago construction accident lawyers is ready to discuss your case, no obligation required and free of charge.
We also offer instant online case evaluations for free – just use the chatbot below.
Contact TorHoerman Law, the best personal injury lawyer Chicago has to offer, and learn how we can help you on the road to financial recovery.
References
“Chicago Area Employment – May 2020 : Midwest Information Office.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1 July 2020, www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/areaemployment_chicago.htm.
Crepeau, Megan, et al. “OSHA Says Fatal I-90 Construction Accident Was ‘Preventable’.” Chicagotribune.com, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2019, www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-des-plaines-construction-accident-20160405-story.html.
“Department of Labor Logo UNITED STATESDEPARTMENT OF LABOR.” Commonly Used Statistics | Occupational Safety and Health Administration, www.osha.gov/data/commonstats.
“Facts + Statistics: Workplace Safety/Workers Comp.” III, www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-workplace-safety-workers-comp.
“Fatal Work Injuries in Illinois – 2018 : Midwest Information Office.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 Feb. 2020, www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/fatalworkinjuries_illinois.htm.
Goldberg, Stephanie. “Northwestern, UChicago Top List of Best Illinois Hospitals.” Crain’s Chicago Business, 30 July 2019, www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/northwestern-uchicago-top-list-best-illinois-hospitals.
“UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.” File a Complaint | Occupational Safety and Health Administration, www.osha.gov/workers/file_complaint.html.
“UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.” OSHA Worker Rights and Protections | Occupational Safety and Health Administration, www.osha.gov/workers/.
Workers’ Rights U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3021.pdf.
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