Chicago Construction Accident Lawyers

If you suffered injuries while you were working on a construction site, you need an experienced Chicago construction accident lawyer at Martay Law Office to protect your rights. 

Our law firm has represented injured workers like you for more than 100 years. We have earned a reputation for helping Chicagoans make the most of their workers’ compensation claims.

  • 97% Success Rate
  • FREE Legal Advice
  • No Recovery, No Fee

Call a Chicago construction accident lawyer at Martay Law Office today if you suffered injuries at a construction site to get a free case evaluation.  312-374-6403.

If You Can’t Come to Us, We’ll Come to You

Do You Need to Hire a Construction Accident Attorney in Chicago?

As one of the most dangerous occupations in Illinois, construction work causes severe, catastrophic, and even fatal injuries to thousands of workers every year. Despite the hazards associated with this line of work, and the serious injuries that occur, workers’ compensation insurance companies are known for rejecting valid work injury claims, delaying the processing of these claims, and paying out significantly less than injured construction workers deserve.

Without construction injury attorneys to represent their interests and protect their rights, victims and their families are often left facing substantial medical bills, the financial repercussions from missing work, and the inability to obtain quality medical care, so they can heal.

How Our Chicago Construction Accident Attorneys Can Help You Recover

As an injured worker in Illinois, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to protect you from significant financial losses and ensure you have access to quality medical care. When you hire a construction accident lawyer at our law firm, we make it our business to help you get the benefits you are entitled to receive, and we take your case personally. 

We want to know about how you were hurt, and how your workplace injuries have impacted your life. We will help you sort through your legal options, which might include pursuing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, a personal injury claim against a third party, or both.

With over a century of combined experience in workers’ compensation law, our construction accident lawyers know what it takes to help you recover full and fair compensation for your losses.

How Much Does Our Law Firm Charge?

As some of the top Chicago construction accident lawyers, our law firm does not require you to pay any attorney fees up front. We’ll provide you with a free consultation, negotiate with the insurance company, help you obtain access to medical treatment, and make sure you receive compensation for your medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, and any other damages you are entitled to receive, without any out-of-pocket cost to you. You only pay when you win.

Construction Accidents Statistics in Illinois

The construction industry yields more workplace fatalities each year than any other industry. In fact, construction sites are the location of one out of five workplace fatalities. This is due to the severe nature of the injuries that can occur on construction sites. According to OSHA, 10% of construction workers will experience an injury each year.

Common Causes of Accidents on a Construction Site

Construction accidents can occur on a worksite at any time for various reasons. However, there are types of construction accidents that happen more frequently and cause more injuries than others. 

Some of the most common causes of construction accidents workers’ compensation lawyers see include:

Fall Hazards

Slip and falls are some of the most common and dangerous accidents that can occur on a construction site. Examples include workers falling from heights, off of equipment, or through structures and lacking fall protection equipment. Slips may be caused by spills or construction debris on the site.

Lack of Proper Safety Procedures

It is the responsibility of employers to make sure that all employees are trained with the proper safety guidelines. Training can be expensive, so employers do not always prioritize training procedures. This can leave workers unaware of the proper steps to follow to stay safe, leading to preventable accidents that can cause serious injuries or death. 

Equipment Malfunctions

An equipment malfunction is when a tool or piece of machinery does not operate as expected. Equipment malfunctions can cause injuries such as electrocution, crush injuries, and amputations. All equipment on a construction site should be examined prior to use and properly maintained. This helps ensure that all equipment has the necessary safety features required to prevent accidents while in use.

What Are the Most Common Construction Accidents?

Some of the most common construction accidents and the injuries they cause in Illinois include:

  • Falls from heights: Leading cause of severe injuries, including fractures and traumatic brain injuries.
  • Struck by object: Often resulting in head, neck, or back injuries.
  • Machinery accidents: Can cause crush injuries, amputations, or severe lacerations.
  • Electrocution: Burns, cardiac injuries, or neurological damage.
  • Slip and falls: Resulting in sprains, strains, or fractures.
  • Exposure to hazardous substances: Chemical burns, respiratory problems, or long-term health issues.

Even if you do not believe that you are injured after an accident, you should seek medical treatment. Some injuries do not always present with symptoms immediately after an accident. If left untreated, some injuries can lead to long term consequences or fatalities.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Construction Accident in Illinois?

The Illinois workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system, so the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company will almost always share in at least a portion of liability for an injured worker’s losses. Aside from the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company, however, it may be possible to file a third party claim against other parties in a construction accident lawsuit if someone other than your employer contributed to your injuries.

Some parties that may be held responsible for a construction accident include:

  • Construction Companies. If another construction company that was not your employer ignored safety standards, and subsequently caused an accident and injury.
  • Property Owners. Property owners can be held liable for construction site injuries if they fail to take the appropriate measures to prevent construction site accidents.
  • Contractors. It is up to contractors to maintain safety standards on the construction site to prevent construction site injuries.
  • Manufacturers. Manufacturers may be liable for the losses of construction accident victims when the cause of the accident is faulty equipment.
  • Equipment suppliers. Suppliers and anyone else in the distribution chain may be held liable for providing unsafe equipment.
  • Government entities. The government must make drivers aware of roadside construction to help prevent work zone accidents.

This is not a comprehensive list of all the third parties that can be held for a construction site injury. To make sure that you are not leaving out a responsible party, and losing possible compensation, consult with a Chicago construction accident attorney at Martay Law Office. Your attorney will review your construction accident and workers’ compensation claim to make sure that all parties which can be named in a lawsuit are included.

Steps to Take After a Construction Accident

After a construction accident, you should take the following steps to ensure your well-being and protect your right to recover compensation.

  • Seek medical attention for your injuries. 
  • Notify your employer immediately.
  • Document the incident, including photos, witness statements, and any safety violations that may have contributed to the accident. 
  • Consult a workers’ compensation attorney experienced in construction accidents to understand your legal rights and options. 
  • Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, expenses, and lost wages related to the accident. 
  • Follow up with your attorney regularly to ensure your case progresses effectively and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Our construction accident attorneys can assist you in navigating the complexities of the workers’ compensation claims process. We may also be able to help you recover additional compensation through a third-party liability claim, if applicable. 

What Compensation Can You Receive After a Construction Accident?

What compensation an injured worker may receive after an accident will depend on the types of claims the worker is eligible to file. 

Injured workers who are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits may be entitled to receive compensation to cover their medical expenses, 66% of their lost wages, and disability benefits.

If a third party is found to be responsible for the accident, the injured worker may be entitled to addition compensation for economic damages, and may be able to recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering as well.

If the construction accident was fatal, family members may be able to receive death benefits through workers’ compensation, as well as a settlement or jury award through a wrongful death lawsuit.