Why Hire Our Firm?
At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we have recovered over $50 million in injury compensation for injured victims. Our skills and knowledge allow us to provide you with the representation necessary for a successful civil or workers’ compensation claim. We want to protect you from the insurance companies that want to deny and devalue your claims.
When you hire our Chicago construction accident lawyers, we go to bat for you. We work tirelessly in every step of the legal process to ensure you have the best legal representation possible.
What to Do if You Suffer Injuries in a Construction Accident
The actions you take in the moments, days, and even months after your construction accident injury can affect how much compensation you obtain. Taking the proper steps to get the maximum compensation available to you is crucial.
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Get Medical Attention
First, seek medical care. If it’s a life or limb-threatening emergency, have someone call an ambulance or go to your nearest emergency department. Don’t wait to see a doctor, even if you don’t feel or see any signs of injury. Some injuries don’t reveal symptoms right away, and other times the pain can be masked by an adrenaline rush after an accident. If you’ve been in a construction accident, seek medical attention no matter what.
While workers’ compensation coverage may limit which doctors or hospitals you seek care with in the future for your construction accident injuries, you can seek emergency medical care anywhere when it is a true emergency.
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Report the Accident to Your Employer
Once you are medically stable, report the accident to your employer per their protocol. You may need to speak to someone in your human resources department to determine their protocol. If you don’t follow it, you can jeopardize your claim and have to pay your medical bills yourself.
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Meet With Our Chicago Construction Accident Lawyers
Next, call our experienced Chicago construction accident lawyers. You need an attorney on your side who is familiar with construction accident injuries, Illinois workers’ compensation claims, and their related laws. They can uphold your rights during the claim process and ensure that insurance companies treat you fairly.
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Follow All Medical Advice
Follow the advice of your medical providers. If they recommend follow-up treatment and visits, adhere to their recommendations. If they tell you not to lift anything heavier than ten pounds, don’t.
Many construction workers don’t know that some workers’ compensation insurance companies will hire private investigators to monitor their personal activities. If they find you doing something your physician told you not to, you can risk your entire claim. Even if you feel better, always follow your doctor’s instructions and recommendations until told otherwise.
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Common Causes of Construction Accident Injuries
Construction sites have many dangers of many types. Workers can suffer injuries in various situations, many involving other people’s negligence.
Common causes of Illinois construction injuries include:
Falls
Falling debris
Heat stress
Malfunctioning machinery
Lack of appropriate safety equipment
Decreased staffing
Lack of proper training
Use of the wrong equipment
Electrocution
Struck by accidents
Explosions or fires
Dangerous noise levels
Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accidents regularly cause serious, catastrophic, and fatal injuries. Some of the most severe injuries include:
Burn Injuries
Construction accidents frequently involve explosions and fires. Construction workers can suffer burns, including those caused by inhaling smoke, heat, and environmental toxins. They can also suffer exposure to various chemicals that cause burns. Burns are extremely painful injuries that can require a lengthy healing period with extensive medical care. They can also cause complications such as infections and severe scarring.
Crush Injuries
Construction workers who are around or using heavy equipment, especially defective equipment, are at a higher risk for crush injuries. Crush injuries can be extensive and permanently debilitating in some instances. In addition, victims often require surgery and rehabilitation.
Bone Fractures
Sometimes caused by crushing injuries and explosions, broken bones can lead to serious problems. Some may require surgery and hardware to be put back together and heal correctly. Some can lead to infections or the permanent loss of use to an extremity. Many construction workers with bone fractures miss months of work and have to endure extensive rehabilitation and therapy to return to work.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Anytime the head and a hard object collide, a traumatic brain injury can occur. Falls, explosions, machinery malfunctions, and several other types of accidents can result in a TBI. The skull doesn’t have to be punctured or even look injured for a TBI to be present. These often invisible injuries can leave someone unable to care for themselves and with many potentially life-long side effects such as seizures and personality changes.
Our experienced Chicago construction accident attorneys understand how these injuries can impact your life and those of your family. We fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Limb Amputation
Sometimes limbs suffer such severe damage that they are beyond repair. The best but most unfortunate choice is to amputate the limb. Crush injuries and falls may both result in amputation.
Other common injuries caused by construction accidents include:
- Repetitive stress and strain injuries—Constant movement and repetitive motions can eventually lead to serious injuries
- Cuts and lacerations—Nails and metal are the common culprits
- Eye injuries—Typically caused by flying dust and debris or even explosions
- Heatstroke—Workers can quickly fall victim to rising temperatures
- Loss of hearing as many construction sites are quite loud
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation provides benefits for:
- The medical expenses of job-related injuries and diseases
- Almost every employee in Illinois, including most construction workers
- Any accidents or injuries that occur from the moment your employment begins
Most job-related injuries should qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensation is a state-regulated insurance program. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) oversees all workers’ compensation claims. In Illinois, all employers must provide this coverage for their employees. Workers’ compensation covers income and medical benefits to workers for their work-related injury or illness, no matter who is at fault for their condition.
Coverage typically provides benefits related to:
- Injuries arising from on-the-job accidents, such as breathing in spilled chemicals or amputating a finger on work equipment
- Occupational illnesses such as a chronic lung condition resulting from breathing in hazardous chemicals on the job
- Trauma injuries related to repetitive tasks or awkward positions while working, for instance, a back injury caused by lifting heavy objects.
- Death and burial benefits to the families of workers killed on the job
Note that workers’ compensation only covers injuries suffered in the scope of employment.
Construction workers should also be aware that the following types of injuries do not qualify for coverage under the workers’ comp insurance program:
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Injuries stemming from their own intoxication
- Injuries caused by unsafe practices or worker horseplay
Requirements to Prove a Construction Accident Workers’ Compensation Claim
Construction workers who file workers’ compensation claims must establish that they have a valid claim and deserve compensation for their related injuries.
This involves proving:
They worked for an employer required to provide worker’s compensation coverage on the date of the accident or incident that caused an illness.
They suffered an injury or exposure to something that caused them harm because of their job duties.
The accident or exposure led to their injuries.
They reported their injury or illness to their employer within the deadline.
Suppose a construction worker suffers an injury that might also arise from everyday movement or activities. In that case, they must prove they are at a greater risk than the general public for such an injury due to their job responsibilities.
Employees who can establish all of these points will usually have their workers’ compensation claim approved. However, proving them isn’t always easy and often requires the skills and knowledge of Chicago construction accident lawyers.
Furthermore, even if a construction worker gets their claim approved, they may have to fight to receive the full value of their claim.
Employers and insurance companies often disagree with the employee in regard to:
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The extent of their injuries
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Their average weekly income
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The necessity of medical treatment
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Chicago Construction Accident FAQs
While workers’ compensation is a no-fault system in Illinois, meaning you can’t sue your employer for damages, you can file lawsuits against other appropriate parties. For example, if you suffered an injury due to malfunctioning or defective equipment, our Chicago construction accident attorneys can pursue a claim against the equipment’s manufacturer. Likewise, if a third-party contractor forgot to follow safety protocols and injured you, you can hold them or their employer liable for your damages.
Contingency fees mean a client only pays for legal services if their attorney obtains compensation on their behalf. Many injured construction workers have financial concerns holding them back from seeking the legal help they need. If you’ve worked with an attorney before on another legal issue or talked to anyone who has, you might understand that they require retainer fees. However, workers’ compensation and personal injury matters are different.
At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we provide you with a free case review to learn more about your case and explain your legal options. If you have a valid claim and hire us, you won’t pay anything until we reach a full and fair settlement or win your case. Since we work on contingency fees only, you don’t need any money to hire a Chicago construction accident attorney from our firm.
Too many injured victims have suffered unrepresented by an attorney because they thought they had to pay a Chicago construction accident attorney upfront for their services. Sadly, they never received what they were entitled to for their damages. You don’t have to suffer the same fate; reach out to our Chicago construction lawyers for contingency fee-based legal assistance instead. We can help with workers’ compensation and personal injury claims.
Not Sure What to do Next? Turn to Our Well-Versed Chicago Construction Accident Lawyers Today
A work or construction accident can shock and confuse you. You may not know what happened or what to do next. Reach out to a Chicago personal injury lawyer.
At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we can help you with the next best steps to take. Call us at (312) 786-5881 or contact us online for your free, confidential consultation with our well-versed Chicago construction accident attorneys. We offer free case consultations to injured construction workers and their families. Your legal rights have expiration dates, so contact us today.
Client Testimonial
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Midwest Injury Lawyers – Chicago Office
155 N Upper Wacker Drive, Suite 4250
Chicago, IL 60606
P: (312) 786-5881
A Word from One of Our Construction Injury Attorneys
Proving liability in construction accident lawsuits is complex, so it’s important to contact an attorney who has experience handling such cases. Take advantage of our Free Case Evaluation offer. I will listen to the circumstances of your accident, answer questions, and provide you with available legal options for your consideration. If you choose to hire us, we will start working immediately on your behalf to build a strong case and recover the maximum compensation for your injury.
– Chester L. Cameron
Request a Free Consultation
Tell our experienced team about your accident and/or injuries. One of our personal injury attorneys will contact you to schedule a free case evaluation. Remember: you won’t pay for anything unless we secure a compensation on your behalf.
Call (312) 786-5881 or send us a message online to get started.