Construction is one of the most important jobs in the Chicago area. Construction workers put their health and safety on the line every single day to fix Chicago roads, revitalize or rebuild historic buildings, and breathe new life into the region.
However, the danger of this job is clear. Construction workers are injured or killed every day by falling objects, slip and fall accidents, and ladder accidents. When this happens, how do injured employees or family members keep going? The cost of treating these injuries is often substantial and puts workers at risk for bankruptcy, hindering their financial future.
That’s where we step in. At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, we are committed to helping victims of construction accidents get the compensation they deserve. If you or someone you love has been injured in one of these accidents, call us at (312) 236-2900 or get in touch online.
Common Types of Chicago Construction Accidents
The variety of heavy materials and dangerous equipment found at every construction worksite leads to a wide range of accident types. Some of the most common accidents seen at construction sites include:
- Slips, trips, and falls. Falls are one of the most common types of injuries for construction workers, and one of the most dangerous. A fall from a significant height can cause paralysis or even death.
- Explosions. Exposed wires can spark and cause fires or explosions that cause permanent damage to workers. Gas leaks are also dangerous for this reason.
- Electrocution. Working with exposed wires and electrical systems is inherently risky, and quite a few workers suffer electrocution every year.
- Falling items. Falling items cause many serious injuries and fatalities every year. Items, debris, or tools that fall from high heights can kill workers.
- Machinery accidents. Careful use of machinery is crucial on a construction site, but it is not uncommon for employees to become complacent and skip safety steps. This can lead to serious injuries.
- Crush/trap injuries. Workers who get stuck between walls, building materials, or equipment can get limbs trapped or become crushed.
- Vehicle accidents. A number of vehicles are always moving at any given construction site, and just a moment of distraction can lead to running over a worker.
- Ground collapse. Collapse of the ground or trench can cause workers to suffocate if they are not quickly retrieved.
- Overwork. Construction is a physically and mentally demanding job. Workers are always at risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and other issues linked to overexertion.
Construction Accident Statistics
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 168,000 construction and maintenance worker injuries occur every year in the United States. In Illinois, about 14% of fatal workplace injuries are within the field of construction. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 21,500 injury and illness cases were reported in 2020, resulting in a rate of 4.1 cases per 100 full-time workers.
Safety Violations
Every state puts laws in place to protect construction workers from unnecessary injuries, but these safety standards are not always upheld. Sometimes, workers themselves become careless. They get overconfident in their skills, skip safety checks, and cause someone else to be injured.
In other situations, foremen and managers are to blame. In an effort to maximize productivity and avoid delays, they skip safety protocols they believe to be unnecessary, knowing that the state is so overextended that they are unlikely to get caught. When managers take these risks, construction workers are often the ones who are hurt. Common safety violations on construction sites include:
- Dangerous scaffolding
- A lack of hazardous material information, which leads employees to handle hazardous materials without proper caution and care
- Failure to use protection equipment
- Dangerous ladders
- Dangerous power and energy supplies
- Failure to adhere to fall protection protocols
- Lack of machinery protection guidelines or standards
- Lack of, or failure to use, eye and face safety gear
- Insufficient respiratory protection
Who Is Liable in a Construction Accident in Illinois?
The question of liability is at the core of every injury case. In many workplace injury cases, injuries fall into the category of workers’ compensation. In this situation, employees do not have to prove anyone else’s liability in order to receive benefits.
However, construction site injuries are often slightly different. This is because many construction sites have both employees and third-party contractors on-site. If you are directly employed by a construction company and your injury is caused by the negligence of a contractor or other non-employee individual, you may be able to seek compensation with a personal injury claim. This is more difficult than a workers’ compensation case, since you must prove fault. However, you may also be able to recover more with a third-party claim, since you are not limited by set amounts like those who receive workers’ compensation.
For many injured construction workers, figuring out who is liable for their injuries is the first step. Knowing who is employed by the construction company overseeing the project and who is an outside contractor may also be difficult to figure out.
This is why it’s important to have an attorney representing you throughout the process. Whether you ultimately file a workers’ compensation claim or pursue a personal injury claim, you should have someone whose sole purpose is to advocate for you. In workers’ compensation cases, employees are often subject to delays and denials that prevent them from getting the money they are entitled to. With personal injury cases, an attorney knows what it takes to prove liability and help a client secure the maximum amount of compensation.
Call Staver Accident injury Lawyers, P.C. to Explore Your Options
Construction accidents can be devastating. As you grapple with your injuries and the potential loss of your income, you should not also have to deal with communicating with insurance companies, workers’ compensation representatives, and attorneys seeking to discredit you. Let us help. The team at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. is committed to investigating your accident and helping you pursue compensation. Schedule your consultation now by calling us at (312) 236-2900 or contacting us online.
