Orland Park Construction Accident Attorneys

Item: Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
Rating: 5
Author: Briskman Briskman Greenberg

Construction sites are inherently hazardous environments. Accidents can occur due to various factors such as negligence, equipment failure, lack of safety protocols or human error. Workers who are injured in an Orland Park construction accident can obtain compensation for their medical bills and lost wages, as well as other related costs.

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has decades of experience helping workers like you recover compensation for work-related injuries and illnesses. Our Orland Park construction accident attorneys provide personalized attention in each case and deliver prompt results.

Types of Construction Accidents in Orland Park

As a thriving suburban community in Cook County, the village of Orland Park has a variety of construction projects going on. These include roadway improvements, new buildings being erected, Public Works Department repairs, and local park upgrades.

Construction accidents can occur in many ways, resulting in injuries and even death. In 2021, the top five causes of work-related deaths in Illinois included transportation accidents with 59 incidents, falls, slips, or trips with 33 incidents, followed by contact with objects and equipment with 23 incidents, and exposure to harmful substances with 21 incidents.

All four of these types of accidents have the potential to injure workers on construction sites. Some common construction accidents that may occur in Orland Park include:

Falls from heights: Falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or other elevated surfaces can result in severe injuries or even death.
Struck-by accidents: Construction workers can be hit by heavy machinery, falling objects, or vehicles on job sites.
Caught-in/between accidents: Workers may get caught in machinery, trenches, or confined spaces, leading to crushing injuries or asphyxiation.
Electrical accidents: Contact with live wires or faulty electrical equipment can result in electric shocks, burns, or even electrocution.
Equipment accidents: Improper use, lack of training or equipment malfunction can lead to accidents involving power tools, cranes, forklifts or other construction machinery.
Fires and explosions: Construction sites may involve flammable materials and potential ignition sources, which can lead to fires or explosions.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment, proper training, and safety equipment to their workers. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as state agencies, have established safety regulations to address and prevent construction accidents.

In 2021, OSHA cited inadequate ladder and scaffolding safety, faulty fall protection, and lack of respiratory protection among the top 10 most common safety violations in the construction industry. Additionally, the federal agency said that 25 percent of struck-by-vehicle deaths involve construction workers, more than any other occupation.

Common Construction Accident Injuries

Construction accidents can result in a wide array of injuries due to the hazardous nature of the work environment. Depending on the severity of injuries, construction workers may have to take extensive time off work to recover.

In 2021, the Illinois construction industry had 4,300 cases of workplace injuries and illnesses. Of those, 3,100 cases required days away from work, job transfers, or restricted duties. Some common types of Orland Park construction accident injuries include:

Head and brain injuries: Head injuries can occur from falling objects, being struck by equipment, or falling. Traumatic brain injuries can range from concussions to severe brain damage, leading to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and other long-term effects.
Back and spinal cord injuries: Heavy lifting, falls, or being struck by objects can result in back injuries, including sprains, strains, herniated discs, or spinal cord damage. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility and bodily functions.
Fractures and bone injuries: Construction accidents often result in broken bones, such as fractures in the arms, legs, wrists, or ribs. These injuries can require extensive medical treatment and recovery time.
Crush injuries: Being caught in or between heavy machinery or collapsing structures can cause severe crush injuries, resulting in broken bones, internal organ damage, and limb amputations.
Burns and electrical injuries: Workers can sustain burns from fires, explosions, or contact with hot surfaces. Electrical accidents can cause electric shocks, burns, and electrocution.
Respiratory issues: Exposure to hazardous substances, such as dust, asbestos, or toxic chemicals, can lead to respiratory problems, including lung diseases and occupational asthma.
Soft tissue injuries: Strains, sprains, and tears of muscles, tendons, and ligaments are common in construction accidents. They often occur due to overexertion, repetitive motions, or sudden movements.
Cuts and lacerations: Sharp tools, equipment, or materials can cause cuts, deep lacerations, or puncture wounds. Stitches or surgical intervention may be required.

The severity of construction accident injuries can vary widely. Workers may suffer everything from minor injuries that require first aid to severe and life-threatening conditions. The construction industry has some of the highest on-the-job fatality rates in the country. According to OSHA, 20 percent of private industry worker deaths in 2019 happened on construction sites.

There were 79,660 people injured at construction sites that year, accounting for 9 percent of workplace injuries. The most common injury type consisted of sprains, strains, and tears, with 21,170 reported incidents, followed by fractures, with 13,190 cases.

If you have been injured in a construction accident, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. Additionally, consulting with an experienced Orland Park construction accident attorney will help protect your rights.

Does My Claim Qualify as Workers’ Compensation or Personal Injury?

If you have been injured in an Orland Park construction accident, you are entitled to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. In some situations, you may have grounds to file both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury case, depending on the circumstances of the accident. Here we outline the key differences between the two types of claims:

Workers’ Compensation: Construction workers who get injured or ill on the job have the right to get workers’ compensation benefits from their employer, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

When a construction worker is injured on the job, they can file a workers’ compensation claim to receive benefits such as medical treatment, lost wages, disability compensation and rehabilitation support. Workers’ compensation claims do not require proving fault or negligence to obtain benefits. The emphasis is on showing that the injury or illness is work-related.

Personal Injury: A personal injury claim can arise if a negligent third party was responsible for your construction accident injuries. A third party is a person or entity that is not working under the same employer as you. Some examples include the manufacturer of defective machinery, a subcontractor who failed to observe safety standards or a careless property owner.

Personal injury claims seek to hold the responsible party liable for the damages suffered, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other related losses. To have a successful claim, you are required to prove that the third party’s negligent act or misconduct directly caused the construction accident and your resulting injuries.

At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, your Orland Park construction accident lawyer will explore all possible avenues of compensation for you. We will examine the details of how you got injured and provide guidance on the appropriate legal recourse.

Our law firm will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding your construction accident. You can count on us to gather relevant evidence to bolster your claim. Witness statements, video footage, maintenance records, and photos from the construction site are just some examples of the types of proof that can establish your case.

Deadlines for Obtaining Compensation for Your Construction Accident Injuries

Time is of the essence when it comes to pursuing full and fair compensation after a construction accident. In Illinois, a workers’ compensation claim must be filed within three years from the date of the injury or two years from when compensation was last paid.

If you are bringing a personal injury claim, you have two years in which to file it. Waiting too long to act can mean you end up paying for all your injuries and related losses from your own pocket. Once the statutes of limitations expire, you give up your right to recover compensation.

Contact an Orland Park Construction Accident Attorney

Our legal team is available to represent you in your Orland Park construction accident claim. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is a reputable law firm with decades of experience helping victims of construction accidents obtain fair compensation.

When you entrust us with your case, you will receive a high level of personal attention combined with a determination to get you the compensation you deserve. The amount you recover should cover all your medical bills, lost wages and other costs associated with your Orland Park construction accident injuries.

No Fee Unless Your Construction Accident Claim is a Success

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles all construction accident cases on a contingency basis, which means we will only accept payment if we are successful in recovering compensation for you.