Construction Sites Pose Risk of Serious Work Injuries in Illinois

 Posted on March 15, 2022 in Personal Injury

Of all the jobs in Illinois, construction work exposes workers to some of the most consistently dangerous conditions. Throughout the United States, heavy machinery, slippery conditions, unstable scaffolding, and other risk factors contributed to over 1,100 construction worker deaths in 2019 alone, with many tens of thousands of construction site injuries. While most injuries are not life-threatening, others are serious enough to take a worker off the job for months and sometimes even permanently. Here are some of the most common injuries sustained by construction workers in Illinois. 

Common Construction Site Accidents 

The United States Department of Labor keeps statistics on construction industry accidents. According to their estimates, the most common cause of injuries and fatalities were falls, slips, and trips. Most fatalities occur when someone falls to a lower level. Other common causes of serious accidents include: 

• Electrocution
• Being struck by a swinging or falling object
• Getting caught in or hit by equipment or machinery 
• Reckless drivers next to roadway construction sites
• Ground collapses

Common injuries from these accidents include, but are not limited to: 

• Broken and fractured bones
• Traumatic head injuries
• Burns
• Eye injuries
• Chemical exposures 
• Repetitive use injuries

Can I Sue My Employer if I Was Injured on the Job? 

Generally, employees who are injured at work receive workers’ compensation benefits. Although these are meant to cover lost wages and the cost of medical treatment, they do not always adequately compensate for long-term rehabilitation costs or the inability to work far into the future. Even if the employee believes workers’ compensation benefits are insufficient to cover the full extent of their injuries, suing an employer is usually not an option. However, an experienced employment injury attorney may be able to help you negotiate a better workers’ compensation settlement. 

Additionally, if a third party, such as a subcontractor, was responsible for the injury because of an issue like carelessness, poor training, or malfunctioning equipment, an injured worker may be able to pursue a compensation claim against the third party. 

Talk to a Will County Construction Site Injury Lawyer

The consequences of a serious construction site accident can be devastating for the injured worker and their family. If you have suffered because of a work injury, you can take action and get the experience and bold representation of the outstanding Will County construction worker injury attorneys at McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC by calling us at 815-727-0100. We offer free, no-risk consultations so you can feel comfortable exploring your options with us. Call our offices today. 

Sources: 

https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2021/fatal-and-nonfatal-falls-slips-and-trips-in-the-construction-industry.htm 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2430&ChapterID=68