Joliet Construction Accidents

Why Choose Midwest Injury Lawyers for Your Construction Accident Case?

Midwest Injury Lawyers is not just another law firm in Illinois. Experienced attorneys Chester “Chet” L. Cameron Jr. and Samuel “Sam” R. Carl established this firm because of their deep commitment to fighting for injured victims. We have successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients, showcasing our ability to handle cases effectively from investigation to resolution.

Our track record of client satisfaction and professional acknowledgment speaks to our dedication and skill in personal injury law. We have ranked consistently among the top five percent of personal injury lawyers nationwide, and our satisfied clients are eager to tell you why.

Choosing Midwest Injury Lawyers means choosing a partner who will stand by your side, fighting tirelessly for the justice and compensation you deserve in your Joliet construction accident claim.

Here’s why you should trust us with your case:

• Trustworthy Local Injury Lawyers: At Midwest Injury Lawyers, your case receives the utmost attention and respect. We prioritize your needs, providing honest advice every time. Your interests guide our actions, ensuring a partnership based on trust.
• Assistance with Medical Bills: You shouldn’t let the fear of medical expenses hinder your recovery. We can help you access necessary medical care, even if you lack insurance. We can use our connections with medical professionals to get you the treatment you need now and defer payment until your settlement arrives.
• Focus on Healing: Handling insurance claims is often overwhelming and stressful. Let us take on the legal battles while you concentrate on recovering. We negotiate and litigate with insurance companies to secure the compensation you deserve for your suffering and disruption of life.
• No Win, No Fee: Our firm operates on a contingency basis. This means you pay nothing unless we win your case. When you work with us on contingency, you get access to quality legal representation, no matter your ability to pay. We believe justice should be accessible to everyone.

Compensation for Construction Accident Cases

If you suffer on-the-job injuries in a construction accident in Illinois, you’ll want to understand the types of benefits available through workers’ compensation. These benefits aim to support your recovery and financial stability in the aftermath of the incident.

Here’s a breakdown of each type of benefit you might receive:

• Medical Benefits: These cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatments that relate to your construction accident injury. This includes hospital visits, surgeries, medications, and any necessary medical equipment.
• Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits: If your injury prevents you from working entirely for a temporary period, TTD benefits provide financial support. These benefits typically amount to two-thirds of your average weekly earnings, and you collect them weekly until you can return to work or reach maximum medical improvement.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits: In cases where you can work but only in a limited capacity, TPD benefits might come into play. They bridge the gap in your income if you’re earning less due to your injury. Similar to TTD, these benefits are a portion of your regular earnings and last until you recover fully and resume your usual work.
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits: PPD benefits apply if you lose a body part or sustain a permanent loss of function that doesn’t completely disable you. The severity and type of your injury determine the compensation, which might include scheduled or unscheduled awards, wage differential benefits, or disfigurement benefits.
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Benefits: These are for workers who suffer injuries that leave them permanently unable to work in any capacity. PTD benefits typically provide lifelong financial support based on a percentage of your average weekly earnings.
• Wage Differential Benefits: If your injury leads to a permanent job change that pays less, wage differential benefits make up part of the difference between your current and previous earnings. These benefits continue for a certain period or until you reach retirement age.
• Job Retraining Benefits: If work-related injuries prevent you from returning to your previous line of work, job retraining benefits support your training or education for a new occupation. This includes tuition for vocational courses or retraining programs.
• Death Benefits: In the tragic event of a fatal construction accident, a worker’s dependents can receive death benefits. These benefits support the surviving family members and include a portion of the worker’s average weekly earnings, along with coverage for funeral and burial expenses.

In some cases, you might have the option to pursue a third-party liability claim instead of or in addition to your workers’ compensation claim. This type of claim comes into play when someone other than your employer or a co-worker is responsible for your work injury.

A third-party liability claim might also exist if you were not working on the construction site (e.g., you were just walking or driving by) when the accident occurred.

In a third-party liability claim, the types of compensation you can recover often go beyond what workers’ compensation covers. You can seek full compensation for all your medical expenses.

You can also recover money for the full value of your income losses, present and future. You could even seek compensation for the intangible pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident.

Workers’ compensation claims and third-party liability claims are both highly complex, especially when they involve construction accidents.

If you know or suspect you have either type of claim, contact Midwest Injury Lawyers immediately. We can determine the types of compensation available to you and work hard to maximize your payout.

Construction Accidents in Joliet

Construction accidents are a significant concern in the U.S.

The following statistics highlight the risks and trends in this hazardous industry:

• The U.S. construction industry employs 11.4 million workers, marking a 25 percent increase from 2011.
• Falls are the leading cause of work-related deaths in construction, accounting for over one-third (36.4 percent) of total fatalities in 2019.
• In the same year, fatalities from struck-by incidents and electrocutions made up 15.4 percent and 7.2 percent of construction deaths, respectively.
• Fatalities from caught-in/between incidents accounted for 5.4 percent.
• Work zone accident fatalities increased by 10.8 percent between 2020 and 2021, slightly higher than the overall traffic fatality increase of 10.3 percent.
• Fatal work zone accidents in 2021 saw a rise in incidents involving rear-end collisions, speeding, and commercial motor vehicles.
• The percentage of work zone fatalities involving pedestrians and bicyclists increased marginally by 0.1 percent in 2021 compared to 2020.
• Fatal work zone crashes involving commercial motor vehicles rose by 39 percent in 2021. This was a significant increase in comparison to the two percent rise in fatal work zone crashes not involving large trucks or buses.

Common Types of Construction Accidents

Construction sites are inherently risky environments where a variety of accidents can occur.

Even when safety measures are present, workers often face hazards that can lead to severe or fatal injuries in accidents like:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Falls from scaffolding
• Electrocution accidents
• Struck-by-falling object accidents
• Machinery accidents
• Vehicle collisions on-site
• Trench collapses
• Fires and explosions
• Exposure to hazardous materials
• Overexertion incidents
• Welding accidents
• Crane accidents
• Ladder accidents
• Power tool accidents
• Forklift accidents
• Structural collapses
• Excavation accidents
• Entanglement accidents

Construction Accident Injuries

Construction accidents can result in a broad spectrum of injuries, ranging from minor cuts to severe, life-altering conditions.

Here are some common examples:

• Broken bones
• Sprains and strains
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Lacerations
• Amputations
• Burns (thermal, chemical, electrical, etc.)
• Electrical shocks
• Crush injuries
• Eye injuries
• Vision loss
• Hearing loss
• Knee injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Elbow injuries
• Wrist injuries
• Hand injuries
• Foot injuries
• Respiratory illnesses
• Heatstroke
• Frostbite
• Hypothermia
• Muscle injuries
• Tendonitis
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Overexertion injuries
• Puncture wounds
• Internal organ damage

Filing an Insurance Claim After a Construction Accident

Filing an insurance claim after a construction accident is often a complex process, whether you’re dealing with a workers’ compensation claim, a third-party liability claim, or both. Each type of claim comes with its own set of challenges.

In a workers’ compensation claim, you face a system with strict rules and tight deadlines. You must report your injury quickly to your employer to maintain eligibility for benefits.

These benefits can cover your medical bills and a portion of your income losses, but they don’t compensate for pain and suffering. Also, filing a workers’ comp claim means you cannot sue your employer for negligence.

On the other hand, a third-party liability claim is relevant if someone other than your employer, like an equipment manufacturer or another contractor, is responsible for your injury. These claims can yield more compensation but require proving the third party’s fault, which involves collecting extensive evidence.

Dealing with insurance companies in either type of claim adds another layer of difficulty. These companies often try to minimize what they pay out to protect their own bottom lines. They might question the severity of your injury or the circumstances of the accident. This is where having a construction accident lawyer can make all the difference.

A Joliet construction accident lawyer knows how to handle both workers’ compensation and third-party liability claims. They can prepare paperwork, meet deadlines, and gather the necessary evidence to set up your claim for success.

Lawyers can also negotiate effectively with insurance companies, advocating for the full compensation you deserve.

How a Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help

The best way to protect your rights and boost your chances of getting a fair payout is to hire a Joliet construction accident attorney.

At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we can help you with your construction accident case by:

• Investigating the accident to identify useful evidence
• Preparing claim documents accurately and filing them on your behalf
• Communicating with insurance companies to negotiate a fair settlement
• Reviewing your medical records to understand the extent of your injuries
• Consulting medical experts to strengthen your case
• Determining the full value of your claim, including future expenses
• Identifying all potential sources of compensation
• Ensuring compliance with all legal deadlines and requirements
• Handling all correspondence related to your claim
• Organizing and presenting evidence effectively
• Interviewing witnesses who were present at the accident site
• Accessing construction site reports and records
• Coordinating with accident reconstruction specialists
• Challenging denied insurance claims and appealing decisions
• Representing you in court, if necessary
• Preparing for and representing you in depositions

Contact a Joliet Construction Accidents Lawyer Today

Don’t wait to get the help you need and deserve after a Joliet construction accident. Get in touch with Midwest Injury Lawyers now at (815) 714-6131 to discuss the details of your case in a free initial consultation session with a Joliet construction accident attorney.

Joliet Office

210 N Hammes Ave
Unit 205 C
Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 714-6131