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Mt. Vernon Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction sites across Chicago and the surrounding Mt. Vernon area are among the most hazardous workplaces in Illinois. Whether you work on a high-rise near the Loop, a commercial build along the I-57 corridor, or a residential project in Jefferson County, the risks are real and serious. If you were hurt on a construction site, you have legal rights, and understanding them is the first step toward protecting yourself and your family.

How Dangerous Are Illinois Construction Sites?
Common Causes of Mt. Vernon Construction Accidents
Your Legal Rights Under Illinois Law After a Construction Accident
Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Claims: How They Work Together
Why Construction Workers in Mt. Vernon Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
FAQs About Mt. Vernon Construction Accident Lawyers

How Dangerous Are Illinois Construction Sites?

The numbers tell a clear 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 workers face a disproportionate share of those incidents. Fatal work injuries totaled 156 in 2024 for Illinois, with the fatal work injury rate reaching 2.7 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, an increase from a rate of 2.5 in 2023.

Construction is consistently one of the most dangerous industries in the country. Construction and extraction workers experienced 1,032 fatalities in the United States in 2024, with fatal falls, slips, and trips among these workers decreasing 7.5 percent to 370 in 2024 from 400 in 2023. Falls remain the leading cause of death on construction sites nationally, but workers also face serious risks from falling objects, equipment failures, electrocutions, and trench collapses.

In Illinois specifically, falls, slips, and trips accounted for 19 percent of fatal work injuries in 2024. These are not abstract statistics. They represent real workers, many of them from communities like Mt. Vernon, who went to work one day and never came home the same. If you or someone you love was hurt on a construction site, a Chicago personal injury lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can review your situation and help you understand your options.

The Illinois Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health also keeps a close eye on these numbers. There were 19 fatalities reported to IL OSHA in 2024, and six met IL OSHA criteria for an on-site inspection and investigation. Reportable non-fatal incidents, which include amputations, loss of an eye, and injuries resulting in inpatient hospitalization, totaled 133 incidents reported to IL OSHA in 2024. Each one of those cases involved a worker whose life was changed in an instant.

Common Causes of Mt. Vernon Construction Accidents

Construction accidents rarely happen by chance. Most are caused by someone’s failure to follow safety rules, maintain equipment, or keep a job site in safe condition. OSHA identifies four categories, often called the “Focus Four” hazards, that cause the majority of construction fatalities: falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in or between accidents, and electrocutions. A significant majority, 65.5 percent of construction fatalities, were the result of what OSHA identifies as these “Focus Four” hazards.

On Mt. Vernon job sites and throughout southern Illinois, accidents commonly involve:

Falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and elevated platforms
Being struck by falling tools, materials, or crane loads
Trench and excavation collapses
Electrocutions from unguarded power lines or faulty wiring
Forklift and heavy equipment accidents
Defective or improperly maintained machinery
Exposure to toxic chemicals or substances

General contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and other parties each carry their own responsibilities on a job site. When any of them cuts corners, workers pay the price. Whether the job is a commercial build near the Mt. Vernon City Hall area or a highway project along Interstate 57, the same safety standards apply. If you were hurt because someone failed to meet those standards, you may have a legal claim against them, separate from any workers’ compensation benefits you receive.

Understanding who is responsible for your injury is one of the most important parts of any construction accident case. Multiple parties can share liability on a single job site, and identifying all of them matters when it comes to the full value of your claim.

Your Legal Rights Under Illinois Law After a Construction Accident

Illinois law gives injured construction workers more than one path to recovery. The workers’ compensation attorney process through the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305, provides benefits for medical treatment, lost wages, and permanent disability, regardless of who was at fault. Under 820 ILCS 305, Section 3, construction work is explicitly classified as an extra-hazardous enterprise, meaning workers in this industry are automatically covered.

But workers’ compensation is not always the end of the road. Under Section 5(b) of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, where the injury or death for which compensation is payable was caused under circumstances creating a legal liability for damages on the part of some person other than the employer, legal proceedings may be taken against such other person to recover damages notwithstanding the employer’s payment of or liability to pay compensation.

This is called a third-party claim, and it is critically important for construction workers. The most common scenarios in which someone other than the employer may be legally responsible for the employee’s injuries include construction-related accidents, injuries on another’s premises, motor vehicle accidents, or accidents resulting from a defective product or machinery. For example, if a subcontractor’s negligence caused your injury, you may be able to sue that subcontractor directly, even while receiving workers’ compensation benefits from your own employer.

A third-party civil lawsuit can recover damages that workers’ compensation does not cover, including pain and suffering, full lost earnings, and loss of a normal life. These are real categories of harm that deserve real compensation. Speaking with a workers’ compensation lawyer who understands both tracks of recovery is essential to protecting the full value of your claim.

Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Claims: How They Work Together

Many injured construction workers do not realize they can pursue both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate civil lawsuit at the same time. These two paths run parallel, not in opposition. Your workers’ compensation claim covers immediate needs like medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. A third-party lawsuit can recover what workers’ compensation leaves out.

There is an important legal mechanism to understand here. When your employer pays workers’ compensation benefits, it acquires what is called a lien on any third-party recovery. 820 ILCS 305/5(b) gives the employer a lien on any award, judgment, or fund the injured worker recovers from the third party, to the extent of compensation paid or to be paid. This means coordination between your workers’ compensation claim and your civil case matters a great deal.

Under 820 ILCS 305/5(b), any settlement of a third-party claim requires the written consent of both the employer and the employee. This rule protects everyone’s interests, but it also means that having an attorney who understands both sides of this process is not optional, it is necessary. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you take the right first steps after an injury, making sure your rights are preserved on both fronts.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act also sets specific benefit schedules for serious injuries. For example, the Act provides 215 weeks of compensation for loss of a leg occurring on or after February 1, 2006, and 253 weeks for loss of an arm under the same timeframe. Serious and permanent disfigurement to the face, head, hand, neck, arm, leg below the knee, or chest above the axillary line can result in up to 162 weeks of compensation. These are the floors of what you may be owed, not the ceiling, especially when a third party is also responsible for your injuries.

If you are partially disabled and cannot return to your prior work, you may also be entitled to wage differential benefits. Under 820 ILCS 305, if you are partially incapacitated from pursuing your usual line of employment, you can receive compensation equal to 66-2/3 percent of the difference between what you would have earned before the accident and what you are able to earn after it.

Why Construction Workers in Mt. Vernon Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

Construction accident cases involve multiple parties, overlapping insurance policies, and strict deadlines. Insurance companies for general contractors and property owners have experienced legal teams working to minimize what they pay out. Going up against them without legal representation puts you at a serious disadvantage.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act sets filing deadlines that can bar your claim entirely if missed. Under 820 ILCS 305/6(d), in most cases a claim must be filed within three years of the date of accident where no compensation has been paid, or within two years after the date of the last payment of compensation, whichever is later. Third-party civil claims in Illinois are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations under the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Missing either deadline can cost you your right to recover anything.

There are also important rules about how distracted or unsafe behavior on a job site affects your claim. A construction injury can create issues that continue after the initial incident, and depending on the injury, a worker may require medical treatment, diagnostic testing, surgery, ongoing care, or future medical treatment, while time away from work can also affect income and create uncertainty about returning to regular duties. These long-term consequences deserve full legal attention.

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has represented injured workers throughout the Chicago area and southern Illinois for decades. Our team understands how to investigate construction accidents, identify every responsible party, and pursue the full compensation our clients deserve. We handle workers’ compensation claims alongside third-party civil lawsuits, so nothing falls through the cracks. There are six important things you should know about workers’ compensation in Illinois before you navigate this process alone, and we are here to walk you through all of them.

If you were hurt on a construction site in or around Mt. Vernon, call us at (312) 222-0010. Our firm is located at 205 W. Randolph St., Suite 925, Chicago, IL 60606. We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, which means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for certain costs and expenses, which we will explain clearly before we begin. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee the same outcome in your case.

FAQs About Mt. Vernon Construction Accident Lawyers

Can I sue someone other than my employer after a construction accident in Illinois?

Yes, in many cases you can. Under Section 5(b) of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305/5(b), if a party other than your employer, such as a subcontractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or another contractor on the job site, caused or contributed to your injury, you can file a civil lawsuit against that party. This is called a third-party claim, and it can allow you to recover damages like pain and suffering that workers’ compensation does not cover. You can pursue both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party lawsuit at the same time, though the two must be coordinated carefully.

What types of compensation can I recover after a construction accident?

Through workers’ compensation, you may be entitled to payment for all necessary medical treatment, a portion of your lost wages during recovery, and benefits for permanent disability or disfigurement. If a third party is also responsible for your injury, a civil lawsuit can recover additional damages including pain and suffering, full lost earnings, and loss of a normal life. The specific amounts depend on the facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and who is found responsible. No attorney can guarantee a specific outcome, but we can help you understand the full range of what you may be entitled to under Illinois law.

How long do I have to file a construction accident claim in Illinois?

Deadlines depend on the type of claim. Under 820 ILCS 305/6(d), most workers’ compensation claims must be filed within three years of the accident date where no compensation has been paid, or within two years of the last compensation payment, whichever is later. For a third-party civil lawsuit, Illinois generally allows two years from the date of injury under the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Missing either deadline can permanently bar your right to recover. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury to protect your rights.

What if the construction accident was partly my fault?

Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. You can still recover damages in a civil lawsuit as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Workers’ compensation, on the other hand, is a no-fault system, meaning you can receive benefits regardless of whether you contributed to the accident, with limited exceptions. If you are unsure how fault might affect your case, speaking with an attorney is the best way to get a clear picture.

Does Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handle construction accident cases in Mt. Vernon?

Yes. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg represents injured workers throughout Illinois, including those hurt on construction sites in and around Mt. Vernon. Our team handles both workers’ compensation claims and third-party personal injury lawsuits, and we work to pursue the full compensation our clients are entitled to under Illinois law. You can reach us at (312) 222-0010. Our office is located at 205 W. Randolph St., Suite 925, Chicago, IL 60606. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning no attorney’s fees are owed unless we recover for you, though costs and expenses may still apply.

More Resources About Work Injuries

The overall experience I had with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg was the kind that everyone should receive from any firm.

The staff stayed in contact with me via phone and email, they were very knowledgeable, they made sure I understood what was going on at all times, they answered all of my questions, were transparent, and definitely exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them.

- Brandon Spivey

The level of care, attentiveness, empathy and concern relating to my case when dealing with Briskman Briskman and Greenberg surpassed my expectations.

They were extremely knowledgeable and fair in all matters related. They exemplified excellent customer service and care. They kept me inform and updated every step of the way and any questions I had they answered. I highly recommend using them as I would again.

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I was put to ease with the professionalism at Briskman and Briskman.

Paul Greenberg especially put my mind to rest and within a years time I have settled my case and I am very satisfied with the outcome. My injury was devastating but working with this law firm has put a lot of stressful nights to rest.

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I needed a personal injury lawyer and Gavin and his team went above and beyond.

They made the process simple and helped me in every step of the way. What I really appreciate is that they are straightforward and are quick to respond to my questions and any issues from a text or phone call. They as well continuously checked up on me. I'm happy with how they handled my case and would recommend giving them a call!

- Ted Zakrzewski

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers (BBG) is a legal team you want on your side.

They handled my case in a professional, sensitive and very competent manner. The staff exhibits expertise in the legal realm and provided excellent customer support and care. Thanks BBG for your help with navigating a very sensitive and challenging case for my family.

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If you were in an accident and need an excellent lawyer, talk to Paul!!

Very nice and professional lawyer that extremely cares about their clients. Fingers crossed I'm never in an accident ever again but if so, I' would definitely, 10/10 use Paul again!

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From the moment I contacted this law firm I was treated like family.

Gavin Pearlman was honest and upfront with me throughout the process. No surprises and never kept me hanging. I strongly recommend These attorneys for your needs.

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I cannot say enough good things about the attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers.

They were extremely responsive, professional, and compassionate throughout the entire process.Their negotiations skills were exceptional, and they were able to secure a settlement that far exceeded my expectations.I am grateful to have had such a dedicated team