Were you injured on a jobsite in the greater Chicago metropolitan area? You’re not alone. Contact a Chicago construction accident lawyer today for a free case consultation.
Our extensive legal experience in all matters related to workers’ compensation and construction site negligence makes Thomas Law Offices the premier law firm in our region for complex work accident cases.
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What To Do After a Chicago Construction Accident
It’s common for construction site accidents to leave victims with not only physical injuries, but emotional, mental, and financial ones as well. The time period following a construction injury may be confusing, and full of pain and questions.
The Chicago construction accident attorneys from our office recommend taking the following steps immediately. The top five things to do after a construction accident are:
- Report the accident
- Seek medical care
- Take note of exactly when, where, and how the accident occurred
- Get evidence of the accident, including photos and names of eyewitnesses
- Contact an experienced construction accident lawyer
Steps To Take To Protect Your Rights After a Construction Site Injury
In addition to the most important basic steps listed above, we’ve compiled a list of ways you can help protect your rights.
When you’re being investigated by an insurance company, any small misstep on your part can seriously jeopardize your right to compensation. Insurance companies are known for twisting any information they can get to cast you in a bad light.
Remember these tips for protecting yourself after a jobsite accident:
- Be careful if an insurance adjuster calls you—only provide the most basic information
- Never agree to give a recorded statement, even if the adjuster says it’s standard procedure
- Don’t discuss your injuries, just tell the insurance representative you are seeking treatment
- Don’t post about your injuries online
- Try to stay away from social media altogether—even an unrelated post can be used to call your story or the severity of injuries into question
- Know the value of your case before agreeing to a settlement
A Chicago construction accident attorney from Thomas Law Offices can help you determine the worth of your case. We can assess the details of your accident to help you find the best way to recover maximum compensation.
Our law firm represents injured construction workers filing workers’ comp claims and personal injury claims in Chicago, Cook County, and throughout Illinois.
Call or schedule online for a completely free, no-obligation consultation.
Can I Go to a Free Consultation if I’m Not Sure I Need To Hire a Lawyer?
Can you attend a free consultation even if you’re not sure you want to hire a lawyer? Absolutely. This is exactly what a free consultation is for. It’s not a contract or a commitment to hire a law firm. It’s a way for you to be empowered by knowledge.
We would never agree to take your case without meeting you first. And we hope you would never hire us without getting to know who we are.
A free case consult at Thomas Law Offices is a confidential, no-commitment meeting that we provide to injured survivors exploring legal options.
You simply need to set up a time that works for you online or over the phone. What you choose to do after our first meeting is completely up to you. We hope you’ll bring all the questions you have about your case so we can give you the information that is most helpful for you at this stage of your research.
What Are the Most Common Construction Accidents in Chicago?
Construction workers regularly face dangers no other employees ever have to think about. The most dangerous occupations are found in the construction industry. According to OSHA, construction workers face a fatal occupational injury rate roughly three times that of the average worker in the United States.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 data showed that the number of fatal construction accident injuries is higher in recent years than it has been since the mid-1990s. The following are the most common causes of fatal Illinois construction accidents:
- Transportation accidents
- Violence (human or animal)
- Falls, trips, or slips
- Contact with objects or equipment
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments
These are the most common types of fatal accidents construction workers are most likely to suffer on a jobsite.
Transportation accidents, in particular, are a serious concern for employees of the public and private construction industry, accounting for nearly one out of every three workplace fatalities.
Construction Work Zone Transportation Accidents
Road construction workers are at an especially high risk of suffering serious injury or fatality in road construction accidents.
The attorneys at Thomas Law Offices remind all motorists to follow Illinois law by:
- Refraining from any cell phone use—even hands-free use—while in a work zone,
- Turning on headlights,
- Driving at or under the posted work zone speed limit, and
- Proceeding with caution as though your own family member was a construction worker at the site.
What Are the Focus Four (or Fatal Four) in Construction Injuries?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has stated that construction ranks among the most dangerous industries in the nation—resulting in more work injuries than any other single industry sector and comprising about 60% of all OSHA inspections.
The Administration devotes a substantial percentage of its work specifically to construction site safety. As part of that work, OSHA defines and provides education on the Construction Focus Four—the four most common types of serious construction accident likely to result in the death of a worker.
They are:
- Falls
- Caught-in or -between
- Struck-by
- Electrocution
Falls
Construction site falls are a leading cause of death on Chicago work sites. Construction managers have an obligation to help workers identify fall hazards and prevent serious injuries and fatalities that can happen when a laborer falls from a height, slips, trips, or loses balance.
Fall hazards workers should be protected from when working on a construction project site include:
- Poorly-constructed scaffolding
- Unsecured ladders
- Unmarked skylights near a roofing project
- Lack of fall protection when working at a height of 6 feet or higher
- Loose tools, objects, or wiring left in walking paths
- Unsafe flooring or roofing with the potential to collapse under weight
- Spilled oils, chemicals, and other slippery substances
Caught-in or Caught-between Incidents
Caught-in or caught-between incidents refer to construction equipment accidents in which a worker’s body or body part becomes trapped inside machinery, especially machinery with rotating or moving parts.
These are just a few examples of a caught-in or -between construction injury:
- An unsecured machine tips over and crushes a worker
- Equipment is not de-energized during maintenance or repair, and a worker’s arm is pulled inside
- Unguarded moving parts on a machine that can catch worker limbs or clothing
- A worker is crushed when working between an immovable object (like a wall) and movable materials, structures, vehicles, or equipment
Struck-by Incidents
Struck-by injuries are caused by the impact of an object or piece of equipment on the injured worker. Most struck-by hazards are categorized as one of four types, struck-by:
- Falling object,
- Flying object,
- Swinging object, or
- Rolling object.
There are many examples of jobsite hazards that can cause struck-by injuries.
Falling tools or materials dropped from heights, vehicles sideswiping work zone employees, free-swinging heavy materials lifted by crane, and other hazards can cause serious physical trauma. When these types of construction accidents occur, they often cause severe blunt-force head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and other potentially fatal or catastrophic injuries.
Electrocution
Finally, electrocution in the construction industry results when a worker is exposed to high amounts of electrical energy.
The BE SAFE acronym is used to help those working on construction sites identify and remember electrical hazards:
- Burns, from direct electrical or thermal contact
- Electrocution, the fatal outcome of contact with a lethal dose of electricity
- Shock, when an electrical current passes through the body
- Arc flashes or arc blasts, when electrical energy is released suddenly through the air
- Fire, which often results from faulty electrical wiring
- Explosions, occurring when electricity ignites explosive materials in the air
What Legal Options Do Construction Accident Victims Have?
Many construction accident victims know they are legally entitled to recover compensation for serious injuries suffered on the job. Compensation can help make up for the costs of medical bills and lost wages due to missed work. But fewer people know the legal process for obtaining this much-needed compensation.
A Chicago construction accident lawyer from Thomas Law Offices can guide you through a successful construction accident claim.
There are a few different legal pathways to compensation after a construction accident injury. Below, we provide a brief overview of different avenues for financial recovery.
After reading, we encourage you to call or come discuss your own case with our construction accident lawyers in person. Our team can advise you on the best way to obtain maximum compensation in your situation.
Construction Site Workers’ Compensation Claims
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission makes it mandatory for almost all employers in the construction industry to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Under Illinois law, an injured worker in Chicago must report construction site injuries within 45 days, and the construction company has an obligation to provide certain workers’ compensation benefits as needed.
Those injured on construction sites will most likely go through workers’ comp first to get the benefits they need. Through a workers’ compensation claim, you may be able to recover benefits like:
- Necessary and reasonable medical expenses
- A portion of your average weekly wage
- The right to choose your own physician
- Survivor benefits for family members of construction workers killed on the job
Workers’ comp insurance laws are meant to protect both employers and employees. This means that you can’t file a lawsuit or personal injury claim against your employer for most construction accident injuries.
If, however, your Chicago construction accident attorney identifies a third party whose negligence caused or contributed to your injuries, we may be entitled to additional compensation through a personal injury claim.
Third-Party Injury Claims in Construction Accidents
Most construction projects involve a number of different agencies working together to reach a common goal. But maybe not all of these companies and individuals take as much care to practice worksite safety as you do.
If a party that is not your employer acted in a way to cause your injury, you may be entitled to file a third-party personal injury claim against them. Your construction injury attorneys can analyze evidence to examine the actions of non-employer:
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Other construction companies
- Property or site owners
- Equipment or tool manufacturing companies
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Cleaning companies
- Transportation companies and drivers
- Government or public entities
- Security companies
If you are eligible, a construction accident lawsuit can help you recover losses that workers’ compensation benefits don’t cover, like pain and suffering or mental anguish.
The Chicago construction accident lawyers from Thomas Law Offices can evaluate your case to identify if the involvement of third-party negligence gives you legal grounds for a claim with the at-fault entity and their insurance company.
Compensation for Injured Parties Who Are Not Workers
What happens if you’re hurt at or near a construction site as a passerby? Are non-workers entitled to compensation for a construction site injury?
Jobsite negligence can harm not just the workers, but also those walking, driving, or biking in the vicinity. Construction work is inherently dangerous, and site managers and overseers have a duty to make sure hazards of the job don’t injure others in the surrounding area.
If you suffered injuries while passing a Chicago construction site, you may have standing for legal action. Your construction accident case will only be successful if you can prove that negligence, recklessness, or willful wrongdoing was the cause of your injuries.
Please contact Thomas Law Offices to discuss whether you might be qualified to recover compensation for medical costs and other damages associated with your incident.
Help for Family Members Who Lost a Loved One in a Fatal Construction Site Accident
Losing a loved one in a construction accident causes unthinkable pain to those left behind. If your family member was a construction worker who lost their life in a preventable tragedy, we have the resources to support you.
The construction accident attorneys at our law firm have experience helping families achieve justice and financial balance through workers’ compensation benefits, wrongful death claims, and personal injury lawsuits.
Our Chicago Construction Accident Attorneys Will Fight for Full Compensation for You
We believe in you. The insurance company may see you as a case number, but we see you as a person. And we know how severely your life has been impacted by an injury that never should have happened.
In this world, getting back on track requires financial resources. That’s why the goal of a workers’ comp or injury claim is a monetary settlement. This financial support can help you afford quality medical care, pay your bills while you can’t work, and make sure you’re set up for a future of security—not put into debt because you were hurt doing your job.
Compensation for Construction Accident Injuries
When you work with a Chicago construction accident lawyer from Thomas Law Offices, you know you have an advocate who will do what it takes to get you every penny you deserve.
Whether your case entitles you to file a workers’ compensation claim, seek compensation through a third-party claim or lawsuit, or file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a lost loved one, we’ll settle for nothing less than full and fair compensation on your behalf.
Depending on the type of legal claim you file, you may be eligible to obtain:
- Medical bills
- Full or partial lost wages
- Cost of future medical care and rehabilitative therapy
- Pain and suffering damages
- Permanent disability
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death benefits like funeral costs, medical expenses, and lost income
What Is the Value of Your Construction Accident Case?
Determining the value of a construction accident case isn’t something we can do on our website.
Each case is as unique as the person injured. If we don’t meet you, how will we know…
- The amount you’ve already gotten in medical bills?
- How long your doctors need to continue treating you?
- How much pain you’ve suffered?
- Whether you have a permanent disability?
- Whether you can stay at your job or need to look for a new one?
- If you’re able to work at all?
- If you need to go to physical, occupational, or vocational therapy?
- How much your prescription meds cost?
- Whether you now need a wheelchair and adaptive equipment?
- If you’re no longer able to exercise or do your favorite activities?
- If you’re experiencing psychological injuries like depression or PTSD?
- Other information that can give us a full picture of how your life has changed post-accident?
All this and more goes into your injury case here at Thomas Law Offices. We don’t just assign your case a generic value based on how much your doctor’s bills are. We go much further to get our clients justice.
This is one of the reasons why a free consultation is so important to what we do.
How Long Do You Have To Take Legal Action in Illinois Construction Accident Cases?
The amount of time you have to take legal action after a Chicago construction accident varies.
Under Illinois law, you have:
- 45 days to report an injury to your employer
- 3 years to file a claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission
- 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit
- 2 years to file a wrongful death lawsuit
There are exceptions to all of these deadlines that may give you more or less time.
We cannot stress enough that it is critical to meet with a lawyer as soon as you can after your accident. Cases take time to investigate and build. Even if a deadline seems far in the future, it is much closer than you realize in the legal timeline.
When you deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more, you don’t want a missed deadline to block you from your law-given right. You may be in debt for the rest of your life, simply because you missed the time window for financial recovery.
Thomas Law Offices Is an Unstoppable Advocate for Injured Workers in Chicago
We are proud of the work we’ve done on behalf of the people of Chicago, Illinois. Our hearts and our legal practice are here in the biggest city in the Midwest, where we know workers experience both the opportunities and the challenges of working in a city of nearly 3 million residents.
Chicago was built by people like you, and it’s our unquestionable honor to advocate for those harmed by dangerous work conditions.
Our Past Results Show We Have What It Takes To Win Your Case
We aren’t just talk. Our past case results demonstrate our commitment to putting in whatever hard work is needed to change our clients’ lives for the better.
We’ve won countless settlements and verdicts for injured workers, including an $18 million settlement for two laborers on a clean-up crew tasked with managing a train derailment site, and a confidential settlement for two employees of a contractor who were exposed to large doses of toxic lead particulate while working at a lead battery plant.
These and other victories have given us the experience to handle complex construction accident cases involving a range of serious injuries, such as:
- Severe burns and chemical burns
- Toxic material exposure
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Loss of vision, hearing, or other vital functions
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Other catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
As an injured worker, you don’t want a lawyer who doesn’t care about you. You need someone who is committed, compassionate, skilled, tenacious, and experienced.
You can schedule a free case consultation to learn why an attorney from Thomas Law Offices may be the best fit for your case.
Do You Need a Construction Accident Lawyer?
If you’re asking yourself: “Do I need a construction accident lawyer?” the answer may be yes.
It’s always a good idea to at least meet with a lawyer to discuss your case—even if you think you may not end up hiring one.
At Thomas Law Offices, we’d be happy to tell you if you don’t need our legal services. But we also want to make sure we equip you with the information to make the right choice. The decision is ultimately yours, and we encourage you to only make that decision once you have all the information about your case.
Too many people choose to forge ahead with their own workers’ comp or injury claim, only to realize too late that they’ve been taken advantage of by an insurance agency.
We won’t let that happen to you.
While every case is different, it’s probable that you need a lawyer if any of these factors apply to your case:
- You suffered serious or catastrophic injuries.
- You suffered a permanent disability.
- You lost a loved one.
- You’re not sure if you should file a workers’ comp claim or a personal injury claim.
- You’re being blamed for your accident.
- You think you might lose your job because of the accident.
- You can’t work anymore because of your injuries.
- You have to look for a new job.
- You’ve been offered a settlement amount much lower than what you think you deserve.
How We’ll Fight for You After Your Chicago Construction Site Injury
Chicago construction accident victims don’t deserve the added stress of managing a claim or lawsuit on their own. We take care of the legal questions so you can focus on the things that are important to you.
As your legal counsel, we will:
- Evaluate your case and determine your legal options
- Understand state and federal laws that govern your case
- Make sure you file a claim within the statute of limitations for your case
- Investigate and gather evidence to build the strongest claim possible
- Work with medical professionals and expert witnesses who can support your case
- Negotiate with the insurance company to recover a full settlement
- Protect you from dishonest insurance company tactics
- Represent you in court if necessary
- Be your staunch supporter, putting your best interests first in all matters
A Meeting With Thomas Law Offices Doesn’t Cost You a Penny
We focus a part of our practice on fighting for the rights of workers hurt in construction accidents. Our experience has prepared us for your case. Are you ready to move forward?
Contact us via our online form or phone. There is no cost, no obligation, and no pressure when you meet with a Chicago construction accident lawyer from Thomas Law Offices.
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