Waukegan Construction Accident Attorneys
Pursuing Compensation for Construction Workers in Waukegan
Working in the construction industry is inherently dangerous, even when safety precautions are taken. Construction sites are full of hazardous conditions, including heights, temporary structures, large trucks, and heavy machinery. Crews are often working together to complete a project that may be managed by different contractors or sub-contractors with varying training policies and safety standards. The rapidly changing nature of a construction site poses a risk of accidents that can cause serious injuries.
If you were injured on the job as a construction worker, the Waukegan construction accident attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg are on your side. We have decades of experience helping construction accident victims get fair compensation for medical care, time off work, and other costs. Along with obtaining workers’ compensation benefits, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against a negligent third party, depending on the details of your construction accident.
How Do Construction Accidents Occur?
Waukegan has seen lots of development, both big and small, over the years. In 2022, some of the city’s construction projects included the College of Lake County’s Lakeshore Campus expansion and Delany Point, a four-story luxury apartment building. Additionally, there was resurfacing work done on Audrey Nixon Boulevard as well as York House Road, among other roadways.
Whether you are a roofer, carpenter, electrician, laborer or supervisor, there are countless ways in which workers can get injured on Waukegan construction sites. Construction workers are required to navigate work environments that can contain everything from heavy equipment to scaffolding.
The lack of safety protocols can make an already hazardous job site even riskier. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires construction companies to follow strict safety standards. Despite frequent inspections and penalties for violations, construction accidents can and do still occur.
In 2021, a construction worker died after falling 35 feet down a chimney shaft at Whittier Elementary School in Waukegan. He was working for a company contracted for exterior repairs and tuckpointing.
The same year, OSHA cited a Waukegan contractor for exposing roofing workers to deadly fall hazards twice in 10 days. Construction workers at the Hoffman Estates commercial building and a residential site were not given proper fall protection equipment.
Falls are among the most common types of construction hazards, making roofing work one of the construction industry’s most dangerous jobs. In 2020, 351 construction workers nationwide died on the job due to falls from high elevations.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has experience handling a variety of Waukegan construction accident cases, including:
- Slip and fall accidents: Scaffolding, ladders, and roofs present a risk of dangerous falls. Besides falls from heights, construction workers may also trip over stray tools, loose cords, broken stairs, or uneven ground.
- Falling objects: Many construction projects involve multiple levels. Tools, building materials, or other objects can fall and strike workers below.
- Caught in-between accidents: Construction workers are constantly dealing with industrial equipment. They can get trapped between machinery or other immovable objects.
- Defective equipment: Construction workers use nail guns, jackhammers, cranes, bulldozers, and other heavy machinery in their work. When any equipment malfunctions, accidents can arise.
- Fires, explosions, and electrocutions: Construction sites are works in progress with a lot of incomplete parts. Unfinished electrical systems, exposed wiring, powerlines, gas leaks, and toxic substances can cause dangerous accidents.
- Safety lapses: Employers or contractors are responsible for enforcing safety protocols, such as training workers, providing well-maintained safety equipment, and conducting regular inspections to ensure the construction site is safe for employees.
In 2021, the top three causes of fatal occupational injuries in Illinois were transportation incidents, slip, and fall accidents, and contact with objects and equipment. They accounted for 33.5 percent, 18.8 percent, and 13.1 percent of fatal occupational injuries, respectively.
Our Waukegan construction accident attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of your injuries. We will find out whether your case involves negligence. If so, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against a third party as well as a workers’ compensation claim. You can be certain Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will take the steps necessary to get the outcome you deserve in your case.
Common Injuries from Construction Accidents
Over our years of working with clients in Waukegan, we know that construction accidents can result in all kinds of injuries. In 2021, the Illinois construction industry had 4,300 recorded cases of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses. Of those, 3,100 cases required days away from work or a job transfer or restriction. That same year, the construction industry accounted for 11 percent of fatal occupational injuries in the state.
Given the type of work involved at construction sites, injuries can be severe. For example, falling from high scaffolding can cause traumatic brain injuries, while getting a hand caught in machinery can result in amputations. Construction accident injuries may include:
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Loss of hearing or vision
- Crushing injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Limb amputations
- Burns
Getting injured at a construction site can have a major impact on your quality of life and ability to support your family. Along with expensive medical bills, you may also have to deal with not being able to work while you recover. No matter what types of injuries you suffer, you deserve to be compensated for your losses.
A Waukegan construction accident attorney can assess the extent of your injuries to determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to recover. When construction accidents are fatal, the family members of the deceased may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to pursue damages. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can provide legal advice on what to do in such circumstances.
What is the Difference Between Workers’ Compensation and a Personal Injury Claim?
If you have been injured in a Waukegan construction accident, you can obtain vital benefits through a workers’ compensation claim with your employer. You do not have to prove that your employer was negligent or at fault for your injuries to get compensation. The benefits will cover your medical expenses and lost wages. However, the compensation is limited as it does not account for any emotional distress or other non-economic losses you suffered because of the construction accident.
What many workers do not realize is that they may also have a valid personal injury claim against a person or entity besides their employer. The claim can be filed against a negligent third party.
Some examples of a third party include the manufacturer of a faulty piece of machinery or a subcontractor for a different company who failed to keep the construction site safe. Other third parties may include general contractors, construction managers, architects, vendors or property owners. Filing a personal injury claim allows you to sue them for negligence in causing your accident.
It is common for multiple parties to be involved in a Waukegan construction project. Sometimes contractors cut corners to get the job done as quickly as possible, jeopardizing the safety of construction workers. Anyone who violates OSHA rules by failing to warn workers about hazards or disregarding safety protocols can be liable when a construction accident occurs.
The damages you can recover in a Waukegan personal injury claim include:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
If you were injured while working at a construction site, you should still file a workers’ compensation claim. However, if someone besides your employer was at fault, a qualified Waukegan construction accident attorney can help you file a personal injury claim against them.
One of the most important questions when pursuing compensation for your injuries is determining who was responsible for your construction accident. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we explore all possible avenues of recovery for our clients. Your Waukegan construction accident attorney will identify the negligent parties who played a role in causing your construction accident injuries and hold them accountable on your behalf. We aim to help you get your life back to normal after a debilitating construction accident.
Time Limit for Filing a Construction Accident Claim
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for construction accidents varies depending on the facts of the case and who is liable for your injuries. Workers’ compensation claims must be filed within three years from the date of the accident.
Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years from when the accident occurred. However, there are exceptions. When you are suing a local government or public entity, the statute of limitations is one year from the date of the construction accident. When you are filing a lawsuit against a private person who was negligent in supervising a construction project, the statute of limitations increases to four years.
A Waukegan construction accident attorney can help you figure out which time limits apply to your case. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss any deadlines for recovering compensation.
Contact a Waukegan Construction Accident Lawyer
If you have been hurt in a Waukegan construction accident, you may be dealing with mounting medical bills and loss of income while you heal from your injuries. Let us help you obtain the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. We are also experienced in handling third-party negligence claims that allow our clients to recover additional damages. With quality legal representation from a reputable law firm, you have better chances of recovering the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles all construction accident cases on a contingency basis, which means our law firm will only accept payment if we are successful in recovering compensation for you. Speak to a Waukegan construction accident attorney today to explore your legal options.
To schedule a free consultation about your construction accident case, call us toll-free at 877-595-HURT (4878) or send our Waukegan construction accident attorneys an email.