If you work in construction, you face health and safety risks on a daily basis. Working in construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country, and each year hundreds of thousands of construction workers are injured on the job. In fact, some accidents are so common that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has labeled them, “the Fatal Four.” These accidents claim hundreds of lives every year, and they are to blame for an untold number of serious and disabling injuries.
As a construction worker who has been injured at work, it is important that you protect your right to just compensation. You need to seek medical treatment promptly, and you need to speak with an attorney who can help maximize your financial recovery. At Jackowiak Law Offices, we bring decades of experience to representing injured construction workers in the Chicago area. Whether you are entitled to workers’ compensation, a defective ladder or piece of machinery is to blame for your injury, or you have claims against multiple parties, our Chicago construction accident lawyers will work quickly and aggressively to win the compensation you deserve.
OSHA’s “Fatal Four” Construction Site Accidents
While OSHA’s “Fatal Four” account for nearly two-thirds of all construction worker deaths, they are also to blame for countless more non-fatal injuries. Unfortunately, the true cost of these accidents is not known, because many construction workers fail to speak up and assert their right to just compensation. If you were injured, or if a loved one was killed, due to any of the following, we urge you to contact our Chicago construction accident lawyers immediately for a free consultation:
1. Falls
Slips and trips can cause serious injuries, and falls from heights can have devastating consequences. Sadly, these accidents occur even though most fall-related accidents on construction sites are preventable. Some of the most-common causes of falls on construction sites include:
- Dangerous ladders and scaffolding
- Failure to cover and secure floor openings
- Inadequate perimeter protection
- Inadequate safety equipment (and training on proper use of safety equipment)
- Spills and construction debris
2. Struck by Moving Equipment and Falling Objects
From dump trucks to forklifts, accidents involving construction vehicles and heavy machinery present an obvious risk for severe injuries. Numerous construction workers miss time from work each year due to being struck by reversing vehicles, dropped loads, and trucks and forklifts with blind spots where individuals are working.
3. Electrocutions
Electrocution injuries and deaths occur in all types and all phases of construction, and they affect construction workers in all trades and occupations. From failure to follow proper lockout-tagout procedures to faulty wiring and electrical components, when you are dealing with electricity, even simple mistakes and oversights can have tragic consequences.
4. Caught in or Between Objects and Materials
Some of the most dangerous accidents in which construction workers are caught in between objects and materials are those involving trenching and excavation. OSHA warns, “Never enter an unprotected trench or excavation 5 feet or deeper without an adequate protective system in place; some trenches under 5 feet deep may also need such a system. Make sure the trench or excavation is protected either by sloping, shoring, benching or trench shield systems.”
Unfortunately, construction workers are regularly asked to work in dangerous conditions without adequate protection. As a result, these accidents are the fourth-leading cause of death on construction sites, and they account for numerous traumatic injuries every year. Contact our knowledgeable Chicago construction accident lawyers today to discuss the particulars of your case.
10 Other Common Causes of Construction Injuries
While the “Fatal Four” represent the most-common causes of serious construction-related injuries, they are by no means the only risks faced by construction workers. We represent construction workers who have suffered debilitating injuries from all types of job-related accidents, including those involving:
- Collapses (including trench and building collapses)
- Coworker negligence (including accidents caused by inexperienced and untrained coworkers)
- Excessive noise or vibration
- Exposure to irritants and toxic chemicals
- Fires and explosions
- Inadequate respiratory protection
- Overexertion and repetitive strain (including back pain)
- Power tool accidents and defects
- Vehicle collisions (including highway collisions and accidents on construction sites)
- Welding accidents
Our Chicago Construction Accident Lawyers Will Work to Maximize Your Financial Recovery After a Construction Accident
When recovering from a construction accident, it is critical that you pursue all available sources of financial compensation. Construction workers often experience long-term (and, in many cases, permanent) effects from their injuries, and you need to make sure you have the financial resources to provide for yourself and your family.
In many cases, construction workers will have more than one source of financial compensation available. For example, if you are eligible for workers’ compensation and a third party (such as a contractor or manufacturer) was at fault in the accident, you may be able to start collecting benefits while you pursue a personal injury claim for full compensation.
Workers’ Compensation for Construction Accidents
If you are eligible for workers’ compensation, you can file for benefits regardless of the factors involved in your accident. There are a few exceptions (i.e. if you were drunk at work), but these do not apply in most cases. Learn more about filing for workers’ compensation.
Negligence and Premises Liability in Construction Accidents
If someone else made a mistake that led to your injuries, you may be entitled to full compensation under the law of negligence or premises liability. Since workers’ compensation only provides partial coverage for the costs associated with construction accidents, pursuing these types of claims can be essential to mitigating the long-term effects of your injuries. Learn more about filing a personal injury claim.
Product Defects and Construction Accidents
If your accident was the result of a product failure or defect, you may have a strict liability claim against the product manufacturer. If we can show that a defective product (such as a tool, ladder, or piece of heavy machinery) caused your injury, we can help you recover full compensation without the need to establish negligence. Learn more about dangerous and defective products.
Get Started with a Free Consultation
For more information about protecting your legal rights after a construction accident in Chicago, please contact our Chicago construction accident lawyers right away to schedule a free initial consultation. You can reach us 24/7, so call (312) 795-9595 or request to speak with an attorney online now.
