Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer

Have you been Injured while Working on a Construction Site?

Construction sites are some of the most dangerous places in Chicago to work in. Unfortunately, many construction companies and contractors put profits before people, and many companies drive their construction workers to work long hours in unsafe conditions. Given all the potential dangerous working conditions, accidents in a construction site are all too common.

Common construction accidents include serious slip and fall, or crushing injuries like those involving the spinal cord,  or even death. In some instances, construction accidents will involve OSHA investigations and could include multiple parties. A Chicago construction accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Michael J. Brennan can help you recover the compensation you need after you have suffered a preventable construction accident.

How to File a Construction Accident Claim

Determining who is to blame for a construction site accident is not always easy. There are usually many different companies and people that work throughout the course of a construction project. Obtaining the  level of liability for all general contractors, sub contractors, property owners, architects, engineers and subcontractors is sometimes difficult to parse through. Our first goal is try to find out if one of these third parties is liable for the negligence that caused your injuries. Our firm is highly experienced in this area of personal injury law, and we can help you determine the correct source of your injuries.

While construction workers themselves are more susceptible to injuries from a construction site, people who work or are visiting zones that are under construction can also be injured by falling objects, collapsing scaffolding, forklift collisions and other construction site accidents.

Some injured workers worry that filing a claim against an employer could have negative repercussions for continued work. However, in a workers’ compensation claim most of the communication is usually between your lawyer and your employer’s insurance company rather than your lawyer and your employer.

What are the Most Common Construction Site Injuries?

Slip and Falls

Falls on the same level are one of the leading causes of injuries. Falls from a height are the leading cause of fatalities in construction. Fall hazards are unfortunately just part of the work environment in a construction site, as floor and wall openings and surfaces without strong support structures contribute to possibility or getting hurt.

Falling Objects

A tool or piece of debris falling from a higher level is usually the cause of this type of accident. Most falling object injuries can be avoided by wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, like hardhats, proper footwear, safety glasses, and by staying alert and aware of surroundings.

Electrocution

Live wires can be accidentally severed while a work site is under construction/demolition. Burn injuries are the most common shock-related accident. These injuries tend to result from unsafe equipment or installation, an unsafe environment, or unsafe work practices.

Caught-In/Between

This is another risk when working on a site filled with heavy equipment and machinery. Caught-in/between accidents happen when a worker’s body is caught, or pinched between two or more moving objects. This can happen if materials collapse onto someone, a vehicle traps someone against a wall, or a body part gets pulled into machinery.

Fires and Explosions

Construction sites often contain hazardous conditions such as exposed wiring, leaking gas pipes, and flammable chemicals that could lead to fires and explosions. Less common than some other types of accidents, these can, however, be fatal or result in serious injuries. Evacuating the area after a fire quickly also poses additional hazards.

Let Us Help You Navigate the Red Tape Of Legal Issues

Illinois Workers’ Compensation is a no-fault law, so even if your actions contributed to your injury, you can still qualify for compensation benefits.

After an on the job injury, there are three important things you should do in addition to consulting a lawyer in order to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

1. Seek immediate medical care – Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, you are able to visit the doctor of your choice.
2. Report your injury (orally or in writing), to the management at your workplace – All injury claims are governed by a statute of limitations in Illinois. The notification must be made within 45 days of the injury, or you risk losing your right to workers’ compensation benefits.
3. File a Workers’ Compensation Claim – To make a claim, you must fill out an Application for Adjustment of Claim.

However, this doesn’t mean that if you have been injured on a work site that you can sit back and wait for some agency or insurance company to give you a fair and reasonable compensation. It is often in your best interest to contact a lawyer as early in the process as possible to that you can be advised of all your rights regarding your injury.

There are many cases in which the construction site accident (and injury) is caused by a third party other than your direct employer. In third party injury cases, you might be entitled to pursue damages against the responsible party under personal injury law.

Speak to a Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured on a construction site, you need a construction accident attorney that understands Illinois law and will fight for your rights. Michael J. Brennan and the personal injury team in Chicago have been representing the victims of construction accidents for many years, and he’s ready to fight for you.

No matter your role in the construction zone, if you were injured, you need a construction accident lawyer to take on the company and fight for your rights. You deserve a lawyer who has the knowledge, resources, and experience to handle your claim and assist you in the claims process.