Can I Sue for My Construction Site Injuries in Illinois?
Chicago typically has numerous construction projects underway at any given time. Although working in the construction industry can be lucrative, this occupation has a higher-than-average risk of accidents. Construction accidents can cause severe injuries that require intensive medical care, rehabilitation, and a prolonged period away from work.
Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should provide benefits if you are injured on the job, but are you also eligible to file a personal injury claim? When you call Adler Law Offices, LTD for your free consultation, our knowledgeable Cook County, IL lawyer will explain your legal options.
Common Construction Accidents
Whether you are working on a new residence or a skyscraper, there are several risks. Accidents frequently happen due to:
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Exposure to toxic chemicals
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Falling objects
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Electrocution
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Falls from heights
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Explosions
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Slip and falls
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Fires
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Faulty equipment
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Vehicle accidents
Whatever the cause of your accident and injuries, workers’ comp benefits should cover your medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, and other eligible financial losses. This coverage applies regardless of fault. However, you will not be compensated for the mental and emotional toll that your accident and injuries have taken on your life.
Is a Personal Injury Claim an Option?
Although you are entitled to benefits through workers’ comp, you might have other options to receive additional compensation. You typically cannot file a personal injury claim against your employer, but exceptions may apply if:
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Your employer intentionally put you in danger.
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Your employer does not have workers’ comp insurance.
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Your employer was grossly negligent.
You may also be able to pursue a personal injury case if a third party caused your accident, injuries, and damages. For example:
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Equipment manufacturers could be liable for product defects.
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Drivers might be at fault if you are injured by a vehicle while performing work duties.
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Other companies could be to blame if their work crews caused your accident.
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Property owners may be responsible if they were negligent.
Defective product claims are not necessarily based on negligence, but other types of personal injury claims are. Personal injury claims can give you more money than workers’ comp benefits. However, you will need evidence proving that another party’s intentional actions or negligence were directly responsible for your injuries.
If you win a personal injury claim, you could recover the total amount of the income you lost as opposed to the partial payment you should receive through workers’ comp. In addition, you might collect non-economic damages that reflect the ways your accident and injuries affected your life, such as:
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Inconvenience
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Depression, anxiety, and PTSD
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Pain and suffering
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Loss of the enjoyment of life
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Disability
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Loss of consortium
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Disfigurement
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Loss of society
You do not have to decide which option to pursue alone. A skilled attorney from Adler Law Offices, LTD can guide you toward the action that works best for you. Some injured workers can receive compensation from multiple sources, and we can handle all your claims simultaneously.
Call Our Determined Rolling Meadows, IL Construction Accident Lawyer
If you are injured at a construction site, it can be challenging to get as much compensation as you deserve. You can trust Adler Law Offices, LTD to fight to help you recover the maximum available amount. Call 312-236-2700 now for your free consultation with our experienced Arlington Heights, IL personal injury attorney.