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Belleville Construction Accident Lawyer
Construction sites across the Belleville area and throughout the greater Chicago metro region are among the most dangerous workplaces in Illinois. Whether it’s a road project near Route 460, a commercial build in St. Clair County, or a high-rise going up along the Chicago River, workers face real and serious risks every single day. When an accident happens, injured workers and their families deserve clear answers about their rights, not confusion. At Chicago personal injury lawyer firm Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we represent injured construction workers and their families throughout Illinois. If you or someone you love was hurt on a job site, call us at (312) 222-0010.
Table of Contents
- How Dangerous Are Illinois Construction Sites?
- Illinois Workers’ Compensation: What Construction Workers Need to Know
- Third-Party Lawsuits: Going Beyond Workers’ Compensation
- Common Construction Accident Injuries and What They Mean for Your Claim
- Why Belleville Construction Workers Choose Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
- FAQs About Belleville Construction Accident Lawyers
How Dangerous Are Illinois Construction Sites?
The numbers tell a sobering story. Private industry employers reported 91,600 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in Illinois in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Construction consistently ranks among the most hazardous sectors within that total. Of those 91,600 private industry injury and illness cases reported in Illinois, 58,300 were of a more severe nature, involving days away from work, job transfer, or restriction while recuperating. That means tens of thousands of Illinois workers, many of them in construction, spent time away from their jobs and their paychecks because of on-the-job injuries.
Nationally, OSHA identifies what it calls the “Focus Four” hazards as the primary killers in construction. A significant majority, about 65.5% of fatal construction injuries, were the result of falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in/between accidents, and electrocutions. Falls to a lower level were the leading cause of fatalities, representing 53.5% of fatal Focus Four injuries and 35.0% of all construction fatalities over a recent ten-year period. These are not rare events. They happen on job sites throughout the Belleville area, in Cook County, and across the state.
OSHA’s top most frequently cited standards in fiscal year 2024 include Fall Protection under 29 CFR 1926.501, Ladders under 29 CFR 1926.1053, and Scaffolding under 29 CFR 1926.451. When employers ignore these standards, workers pay the price with broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and worse. If you were hurt because a job site failed to follow federal safety rules, you may have legal options beyond workers’ compensation. The team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you understand what those options look like in your specific situation.
Illinois Workers’ Compensation: What Construction Workers Need to Know
Illinois law requires virtually every employer in the construction industry to carry workers’ compensation coverage. Under Section 3 of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305), the law applies automatically, without any election, to all employers and employees engaged in the erection, maintaining, removing, remodeling, altering, or demolishing of any structure, as well as construction, excavating, or electrical work. That means if you work on a Belleville job site, your employer must have this coverage, period.
Workers’ compensation under 820 ILCS 305 is a no-fault system. You do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong to receive benefits. You simply need to show that your injury arose out of and in the course of your employment. Benefits can include coverage for medical treatment, a portion of your lost wages, and compensation for permanent disabilities. Our workers compensation lawyers can walk you through what types of benefits may be available to you.
Timing is critical. Under Section 6(c) of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/6(c)), notice of the accident must be given to the employer as soon as practical, but not later than forty-five days after the accident. Missing that window can put your entire claim at risk. A claim must generally be filed within three years of the date of the accident where no compensation has been paid, or within two years after the date of the last payment of compensation where any has been paid, whichever is later, under 820 ILCS 305/6(d). Do not wait to act. Call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg at (312) 222-0010 as soon as possible after your injury.
Third-Party Lawsuits: Going Beyond Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is often just the starting point. On a typical Belleville or Chicago-area construction site, you have a general contractor, multiple subcontractors, equipment suppliers, and sometimes a property owner, all operating in the same space. When someone other than your direct employer causes your injury, Illinois law gives you the right to pursue a separate legal claim. These are called third-party claims, and they can make a significant difference in your total recovery.
Under 820 ILCS 305/5(b), while workers’ compensation provides the exclusive remedy against an employer, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act expressly allows injured workers to bring legal proceedings against third parties who are legally liable for the injury. Think about a scenario where a subcontractor’s crew leaves a floor opening unguarded near a stairway, and you fall through it. Your workers’ comp claim covers your employer’s liability. But the subcontractor who created the hazard? They can be sued separately.
Third-party claims also allow you to recover damages that workers’ compensation does not cover, including pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and full lost earnings. Illinois courts apply joint and several liability rules in these situations. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. Any defendant found to be 25% or more at fault is jointly and severally liable for all other damages as well. Our workers compensation lawyers understand how to identify every party who may share responsibility for your injuries and pursue all available avenues of recovery.
Common Construction Accident Injuries and What They Mean for Your Claim
Construction accidents can cause injuries that range from painful to permanently disabling. Falls from scaffolding, rooftops, and ladders frequently result in broken bones, torn ligaments, and spinal cord damage. Being struck by falling objects, a common hazard near cranes and elevated work platforms around downtown Chicago and in Belleville’s active commercial corridors, can cause traumatic brain injuries that change a person’s life forever. Forklift accidents, caught-in/between machinery incidents, and electrical contact injuries round out the most serious categories workers face.
The severity of your injury directly affects the value of your claim. A broken wrist that heals in eight weeks is a very different situation from a spinal cord injury that requires surgery, months of rehabilitation, and possibly a permanent change in your ability to work. Even if your injuries feel minor at first, some serious conditions, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal injuries, do not show their full severity right away. That is why getting medical attention immediately after any construction accident is so important. Your medical records become the foundation of both your workers’ compensation claim and any third-party lawsuit you may pursue.
Illinois also recognizes occupational disease claims under the Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act (820 ILCS 310). Under Section 5 of that Act, where a disablement or death for which compensation is payable was caused under circumstances creating legal liability on the part of some person other than the employer, legal proceedings may be taken against that other person, even while the employer pays compensation. This matters for construction workers exposed to asbestos, silica dust, or other hazardous substances over time. Our workers compensation attorney team handles both traumatic injury and occupational disease cases.
Why Belleville Construction Workers Choose Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has been helping injured workers throughout Illinois for decades. Our firm is based in Chicago at 205 W. Randolph St., Suite 925, Chicago, IL 60606, and we represent clients across the state, including workers injured on Belleville job sites, projects near Scott Air Force Base, and commercial developments throughout St. Clair County. We know the courts, we know the law, and we know how to build a strong case on your behalf.
Our team handles both the workers’ compensation side and any potential third-party personal injury claims. That matters because managing both simultaneously requires a clear strategy. If a party other than your direct employer, such as a general contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, caused or contributed to your injury through negligence, you may have the right to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit. This type of claim is separate from your workers’ compensation claim and can allow you to recover damages like pain and suffering that workers’ compensation does not cover.
We also work with clients who have been injured in related situations, whether that involves a warehouse accident, a scaffolding collapse, or a forklift incident. Our workers compensation attorney team and our workers compensation lawyers in northern Illinois work together to serve clients throughout the state. No matter where in Illinois your accident happened, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is ready to help. Call us today at (312) 222-0010 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover for you, though clients may still be responsible for certain costs and expenses, which we will explain clearly when you contact us.
FAQs About Belleville Construction Accident Lawyers
Can I file both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit after a construction accident in Illinois?
Yes, in many cases you can pursue both. Workers’ compensation under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305) covers your claim against your direct employer. If a third party, such as a general contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, contributed to your injury through negligence, you may also have the right to file a separate personal injury lawsuit against that party. The two claims run alongside each other and can result in different types of compensation. An attorney can help you identify all parties who may be liable.
How long do I have to report a construction accident to my employer in Illinois?
Under Section 6(c) of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/6(c)), you must give notice of the accident to your employer as soon as practical, but no later than 45 days after the accident. Failing to report within that window can seriously hurt your ability to recover workers’ compensation benefits. Report your injury in writing and keep a copy for your records. Then contact an attorney as soon as possible.
What if my employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance?
Illinois law requires virtually all construction employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer is uninsured, you are not without options. Under Section 1(a)(3) of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305), if a subcontractor is uninsured, the employee of that subcontractor may be able to recover compensation from the general contractor or from the entity that engaged the general contractor’s services. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission also has resources for workers whose employers lack coverage. Contact an attorney right away to understand your specific options.
What types of damages can I recover in a third-party construction accident lawsuit in Illinois?
In a third-party personal injury lawsuit, you can pursue damages that workers’ compensation does not cover. These include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, full lost wages (not just the partial wage replacement workers’ comp provides), and compensation for permanent disability or disfigurement. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, defendants who are found to be 25% or more at fault may be jointly and severally liable for all damages, including medical expenses and other losses. The specific damages available depend on the facts of your case.
Do I need a lawyer for a construction accident claim in Illinois, or can I handle it on my own?
You have the legal right to handle a claim on your own, but construction accident cases are rarely straightforward. Multiple parties are often involved, including employers, general contractors, subcontractors, and equipment manufacturers. Insurance companies have their own attorneys working to limit what they pay out. A lawyer can identify every potential source of recovery, meet all legal deadlines, gather evidence, and advocate for your full compensation. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we offer free consultations and handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we recover for you, though clients may still be responsible for certain costs and expenses. Call us at (312) 222-0010 to discuss your situation.
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