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Streamwood Falling Object Injury Lawyer
A falling object can change your life in seconds. One moment you are walking through a Streamwood warehouse, shopping at a store along Irving Park Road, or working a construction site near the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, and the next you are on the ground with a serious head, neck, or spinal injury. These accidents happen without warning, and the physical, financial, and emotional toll can be devastating. If a falling object hurt you or someone you love in or around Streamwood, Illinois, you have legal rights. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is a Chicago personal injury lawyer team that has helped injured people across the Chicago area hold negligent property owners, employers, and contractors accountable.
Table of Contents
- Where Falling Object Injuries Happen in Streamwood
- Illinois Laws That Apply to Falling Object Injury Claims
- Common Injuries From Falling Objects and Why They Are Serious
- What to Do After a Falling Object Injury in Streamwood
- Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Falling Object Injury?
- FAQs About Streamwood Falling Object Injury Claims
Where Falling Object Injuries Happen in Streamwood
Streamwood sits in Cook County, just off Illinois Route 19 and near Schaumburg Road. The area has a mix of retail centers, warehouses, construction sites, and residential developments. Each of these settings creates real risk for falling object injuries. Retail stores along Streamwood’s commercial corridors can have improperly stacked shelving. Warehouses near the Route 59 corridor may have forklifts moving heavy pallets overhead. Construction projects throughout the northwest suburbs regularly involve tools, materials, and debris at dangerous heights.
Falling object injuries are not limited to job sites. They happen at grocery stores when products are stacked too high. They happen in parking garages when concrete or fixtures break loose. They happen at apartment complexes when landlords fail to maintain rooftop structures. They happen at public parks and recreational areas when tree branches or overhead equipment are not properly maintained. Any location where objects are stored, stacked, or suspended above people carries some level of risk.
In Illinois, the type of location matters legally. Whether the injury happened on a private business property, a public space, a construction site, or a residential building determines which laws apply and who can be held responsible. Understanding that distinction early is important to building a strong claim. The attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg know how to identify the right legal theory for your specific situation and work to protect your rights from the start.
Illinois Laws That Apply to Falling Object Injury Claims
Falling object claims in Illinois typically fall under one or more legal frameworks depending on where and how the injury occurred. The Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/1) governs most claims involving injuries on someone else’s property. Under this law, all lawful entrants are owed a duty of reasonable care, meaning business and property owners must ensure their premises are safe and address potential hazards that could harm visitors. When a property owner fails to secure shelving, overhead fixtures, or stored materials, and someone gets hurt, that failure can give rise to a premises liability claim.
For workers injured by falling objects on the job, the workers compensation attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you understand your rights under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305). To qualify, the accident must arise out of and in the course of employment, and workers can receive benefits even if another employee caused the accident, since Illinois operates a no-fault system that does not require proof of negligence for medical care and wage replacement.
Illinois also follows a modified comparative fault rule under the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). Under this rule, a plaintiff can still recover damages as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50%. If a jury finds you were 30% at fault for the accident, your total compensation is reduced by 30%. However, if you are found more than 50% at fault, you are barred from recovery entirely. This rule applies to most negligence-based personal injury claims, including falling object cases. Defendants and their insurance companies often try to shift blame onto injured victims. Having an experienced legal team in your corner matters.
On construction sites, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. § 654) and federal OSHA standards under 29 CFR Part 1926 set strict requirements for overhead hazard protection. Occupational safety and health standards enforcement in Illinois is a shared responsibility between the U.S. Department of Labor (federal OSHA) and the Illinois Department of Labor (IL OSHA). When employers violate these standards and a worker gets hurt, that violation can support a negligence claim against a third party, such as a general contractor or site owner, separate from a workers’ compensation claim.
Common Injuries From Falling Objects and Why They Are Serious
Objects falling from even modest heights carry significant force. A ten-pound tool dropped from ten feet generates enough energy to cause serious trauma. The injuries that result from these accidents are often among the most severe in personal injury law, and they frequently lead to long recovery periods, permanent disability, or both.
Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most common and serious outcomes. A blow to the head from a falling object can cause concussions, skull fractures, brain bleeds, and long-term cognitive impairment. These injuries often require emergency surgery, extended hospitalization, and months or years of rehabilitation. Workers on construction sites near the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway and Schaumburg Road are particularly at risk when overhead work is not properly barricaded.
Spinal cord injuries are another devastating result. When a heavy object strikes the back or neck, it can damage vertebrae and the spinal cord itself, leading to partial or complete paralysis. Fractures to the shoulders, arms, hands, and skull are also common. Soft tissue injuries, including torn muscles and ligaments, may not show up immediately but can cause chronic pain and limited mobility for years. Workplace injuries connected to falling object hazards include fractures, spinal trauma, traumatic brain injuries, and crush injuries, and many injured workers face extended recovery periods, reduced earning ability, and long-term physical limitations that affect career stability and quality of life.
The financial damage compounds the physical harm. Medical bills pile up quickly. Lost wages during recovery put families under pressure. If the injury is permanent, future earning capacity may be reduced or eliminated. A successful personal injury claim can seek compensation for all of these losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care costs. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg works to make sure every category of your damages is documented and pursued.
What to Do After a Falling Object Injury in Streamwood
The steps you take immediately after a falling object injury directly affect the strength of your legal claim. Evidence disappears fast. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Witnesses forget details. Acting quickly protects your rights and your ability to recover full compensation.
First, get medical care right away. Even if you feel okay at first, internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries do not always present symptoms immediately. A same-day medical evaluation creates a record tying your injuries to the accident. Tell your doctor exactly how the injury happened. If you were hurt at work, you have 45 days from the date of the accident to notify your employer under Illinois law, and if you suffer a repetitive stress injury or occupational disease, the clock starts when you realize the condition was due to your job, with missing this window risking the loss of all workers’ compensation benefits.
Second, document everything you can at the scene. Take photos of the object that fell, where it fell from, the area around you, and any visible injuries. Get names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident. If the injury happened at a business or workplace, report it in writing to a manager or supervisor and ask for a copy of any incident report.
Third, contact a lawyer before speaking to any insurance company. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Statements you make early in the process, even innocent ones, can be used to reduce or deny your claim. The workers compensation attorney team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, so we can evaluate every avenue of recovery available to you. Call us at (312) 222-0010 for a free consultation.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Falling Object Injury?
Identifying the right defendant is one of the most important parts of a falling object case. Multiple parties may share responsibility, and pursuing all of them is often essential to recovering full compensation.
Property owners and business operators are frequently liable when their failure to maintain safe conditions leads to an injury. The Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/) governs these claims, and property owners and occupiers must maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and warn visitors of any known hazards. A store that stacks merchandise too high, a landlord who ignores a crumbling ceiling, or a building manager who fails to repair a broken overhead fixture can all be held accountable under this framework.
On construction sites, general contractors, subcontractors, and site owners may all bear responsibility. Federal OSHA standards under 29 CFR Part 1926 require specific protections against overhead hazards, including toe boards, safety nets, and barricades. When a workers compensation lawyer reviews your case, they will look at whether third-party liability exists alongside your workers’ comp claim. Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305), workers can pursue both a workers’ compensation claim against their employer and a separate personal injury lawsuit against a negligent third party who contributed to the accident.
Product manufacturers may also be liable if a defective product, such as improperly designed shelving or a faulty overhead crane, caused or contributed to the falling object. These are product liability claims and can be pursued alongside premises liability or workers’ compensation claims. Evidence to support your claim may include incident reports, witness statements, photographs or video of the hazard, medical records, and expert testimony. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg investigates all potential sources of liability so no responsible party escapes accountability. Call us at (312) 222-0010 to discuss your case with our team.
If a falling object injury results in a death, the family may have a claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/1), which allows surviving family members to pursue damages when a person’s death is caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another. Our workers compensation attorney team is prepared to help families understand their options during one of the most difficult times imaginable. Our firm, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, is located in Chicago, Illinois, and serves clients throughout the Streamwood area and the greater Chicago metropolitan region. Contact us at (312) 222-0010.
FAQs About Streamwood Falling Object Injury Claims
How long do I have to file a falling object injury lawsuit in Illinois?
In most cases, Illinois gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If your injury happened at a government-owned property, shorter notice deadlines may apply. Workers’ compensation claims have their own deadlines. You have 45 days to notify your employer of a workplace injury and generally three years from the accident date to file a claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Waiting too long can cost you your right to recover anything, so contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg at (312) 222-0010 as soon as possible after your injury.
Can I file both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit?
Yes, in many situations you can pursue both. If you were hurt at work by a falling object, you may have a workers’ compensation claim against your employer and a separate personal injury lawsuit against a third party, such as a general contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, whose negligence contributed to the accident. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305) allows this dual path to recovery. Our workers compensation lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can review your case and help you understand both options.
What if I was partly at fault for the falling object accident?
Illinois follows the modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. You can still recover compensation as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. Your total damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce or eliminate their payout. Having legal representation helps push back against these tactics.
What kinds of damages can I recover after a falling object injury?
A successful falling object injury claim can include compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and permanent disability or disfigurement. Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305), specific schedules govern compensation for permanent injuries to limbs and other body parts. In a personal injury lawsuit, there is no fixed schedule, and damages are determined based on the full impact of the injury on your life. Every case is different, and no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome, but Briskman Briskman & Greenberg works to document and pursue every category of loss you have suffered.
Do I need a lawyer for a falling object injury claim?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer, but falling object cases are often more complicated than they first appear. Multiple parties may be liable. Insurance companies will work to minimize what they pay. Evidence must be gathered and preserved quickly. Legal deadlines are strict. An attorney can identify all responsible parties, gather evidence, deal with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for fair compensation. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles personal injury and workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call us at (312) 222-0010 to get started with a free consultation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case depends on its own facts and circumstances.
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