Construction Accident Attorneys In Illinois
Construction sites are dangerous places, not just for workers, but for pedestrians and bystanders as well. With heavy machinery and hazardous conditions, these sites see a fair amount of serious accidents, injuries and even deaths.
Construction site accidents often involve a number of complex legal issues and multiple sources of liability. To protect your legal rights and seek the compensation you deserve after a construction site accident, you need an attorney who understands how these areas of law work together in Illinois.
For over 30 years our lawyers have focused on helping injured construction workers in Illinois. We bring extensive experience and a commitment to construction accident cases, and we understand the legal complexities of your lawsuit, from workers’ compensation to disability benefits. Contact our office today at 815-669-4635 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about a possible work injury settlement or construction accident lawsuit. We handle all construction accident injuries cases on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay unless you win.
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Common Types Of Construction Accidents
The attorneys at Taradash Johnson Janezic represent clients in throughout Illinois who have suffered serious harm in many kinds of construction site accidents.
Some of the most common accidents we handle include:
- Ladder and scaffolding accidents: Falls from ladders and scaffolding are a leading cause of construction injuries. These accidents often happen to roofers, painters and electricians and can result in broken bones, head trauma and spinal cord damage.
- Crane accidents: Due to their size and power, crane failures are often devastating. Dropped loads or crane collapses can lead to crushing injuries and fatalities, impacting crane operators and any workers on the ground below.
- Construction vehicle accidents: Workers can be struck by or caught between heavy equipment, such as forklifts, bulldozers and dump trucks. These accidents frequently injure ground crew and equipment operators.
- Equipment defects: Sometimes an accident happens because a tool or piece of safety gear fails. When defective equipment causes an injury, any worker using that tool, from a carpenter to a welder, might have a claim against the manufacturer.
- Electrical accidents: Electricians and other tradespeople often work around live wires and incomplete electrical systems. Contact with a power source can cause severe burns, nerve damage or electrocution.
- OSHA violations: Federal law requires employers to follow safety rules set by OSHA. When companies ignore these rules to save time or money, preventable accidents happen and put all workers at risk.
- Slip and fall accidents: Debris, spills, uneven surfaces and cluttered walkways can cause serious slip and fall injuries. These accidents can affect anyone on a job site and lead to fractures, sprains and back injuries.
- Construction zone traffic accidents: Road construction zones create risks for both workers and drivers passing through. Unclear signage, sudden lane shifts and heavy equipment entering the roadway can lead to serious collisions.
These are just a few examples of how an accident can occur on a construction site. If you or a loved one suffered harm on a worksite, our team can discuss your case and explore all your legal options. We will help you understand your rights to workers’ compensation and determine if your injuries also qualify you for Social Security Disability benefits.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits For Injured Construction Workers
Under Illinois law, injured construction workers are generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for on-the-job injuries regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Workers’ compensation benefits are paid by the employer’s insurance carrier, but it is the employee’s obligation to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Additionally, employers and their insurance carriers often deny or reduce the amount of workers’ compensation benefits that they pay. Accordingly, injured construction workers may want to consult with a workers’ compensation lawyer.
Personal Injury Claims For Construction Accidents
In exchange for workers’ compensation benefits, injured workers are prohibited from suing their employers, but that does not mean that they are prohibited from seeking compensation from other responsible parties, depending on the circumstances of the construction accident. For instance, if a construction site accident is caused by a defective piece of equipment, an injured construction worker may be able to seek personal injury damages from the equipment manufacturer. Moreover, the victims of construction site accidents are not always construction workers and can include pedestrians and motorists. In these situations, the injured party may be able to seek compensation from the general contractor, subcontractors, equipment manufacturer or another potentially responsible party in a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact A Construction Accident Lawyer Today
Like all personal injury accidents, it is important to act swiftly following a construction site accident to protect your legal rights. Contact Taradash Johnson Janezic at 815-669-4635 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation with an Illinois construction accident attorney.
We represent injured construction workers from McHenry County in the communities of Crystal Lake, McHenry, Marengo, Woodstock, Harvard, Algonquin and surrounding counties such as Cook, Lake, Boone, DeKalb, Kane, and Winnebago; as well as those from Southern Wisconsin.
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