Working in construction is one of Illinois’ most dangerous occupations. Each year, nearly four percent of all construction workers in the state suffer work-related injuries. As a construction worker who has been injured on the job, it is important to have a clear understanding of your legal rights. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and personal injury damages; but, to collect any compensation at all, you need to avoid critical mistakes that could prevent you from asserting a successful claim.
Recovering Full Financial Compensation for Injuries from Construction Accidents
While workers’ compensation covers most construction-related accidents, in order to seek full compensation for your injuries (workers’ compensation only provides medical coverage and partial wage replacement benefits), you need to be able to prove that someone else was at fault in the accident. The following are the five most common causes of fatal construction-related injuries as reported by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and they are all causes for which full financial compensation will often be available:
1. Motor Vehicle Collisions
According to OSHA, motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of fatal accidents among construction workers. Data from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission also indicate that collisions are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the state, and they are the fourth-leading cause of non-fatal injuries in Illinois. Whether a collision occurs on a construction site or on a public road, if a careless driver or a vehicle defect is to blame, victims of the crash deserve to be fully compensated.
2. Falls
Falls are the most common cause of death on construction sites, and they account for an untold number of non-fatal injuries every year. Common factors leading to construction site falls include inadequate fall protection, scaffolding safety violations, unsafe ladders and inadequate safety training.
3. Struck by Object
In addition to falls, falling objects are another leading cause of serious injuries on construction sites. Falling tools, construction material, debris and other objects can all cause serious injuries; and, when these accidents occur, it is often the case that someone else is to blame.
4. Electrocutions
Fatal and non-fatal electrocutions can result from inadequate hazard communication, failure to control hazardous energy sources (including failure to follow lockout/tagout procedures), equipment and machinery malfunctions, defective wiring components, and faulty wiring methods. If you experienced an electrocution due to shoddy work performed by a contractor or subcontract, or because a power tool or piece of equipment malfunctioned during proper use, these are two examples of accidents for which full compensation may be available.
5. Caught In or Between Objects
Accidents involving materials falling from forklifts, aggregates being unloaded from dump trucks, backfilling of trenches, and other similar types of incidents can cause severe injuries as well. Common injuries include bone fractures, soft tissue injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and loss of limbs.
Speak With a Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer at Jackowiak Law Offices
At Jackowiak Law Offices, we provide experienced and aggressive legal representation for construction workers injured in the Chicago area. If you have been injured or lost a loved one and would like to speak with a work injury lawyer about your rights, we encourage you to call (312) 795-9595 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.