Chicago Construction Site Injury Lawyers

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Construction workers must deal with some of the most dangerous working conditions faced by employees in any industry, and serious work-related injuries at construction sites occur with an unfortunate frequency.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Construction Accidents

Q: How do I take steps to assert my rights to a safe workplace?

A: If you feel that your workplace is unsafe, your first action should be to make your supervisor aware of the danger, then follow up in writing. If you are still unsuccessful in getting the safety hazard corrected, you can file a complaint at the nearest OSHA office.

Q: If I'm injured while working on a construction site, is it possible for me to recover more than just workers' compensation benefits?

A: Workers' compensation laws only affect your recovery from your employer, not other parties. If other parties, such as equipment manufacturers, property owners or third-party contractors, are responsible for your injuries, you may be able to recover from them in addition to collecting workers' compensation benefits.

Construction site accidents occur for many reasons. Cranes may tip, scaffolding may collapse, or a ladder may fall. Falling debris may hit passersby. Welding tools or other hand tools may have defective wiring. Forklifts or other heavy machines may crash. If you have been hurt at a work site, you may be eligible to claim compensation for physician and hospital bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with a serious injury. You need a skilled construction site injury attorney who knows how to file compensation claims, whether a personal injury action or a workers’ compensation claim. Contact the Law Offices of William S. Wojcik, Ltd., to discuss obtaining compensation for your injuries.

Construction Accidents - An Overview

Construction workers face some of the most dangerous working conditions in the country on a daily basis. Although there are regulations, statutes, ordinances and industry standards that mandate employers must provide a reasonably safe working environment, construction workers still suffer serious injuries at an alarming rate. The sheer number of hazards on a construction site makes it virtually impossible to prevent all injuries from occurring. These hazards include falls from scaffolds and other elevations, being struck by moving or falling machinery, electrocution, health hazards resulting from exposure to asbestos and chemicals, injuries caused by defective or unsafe equipment, and lifting and repetitive motion injuries.

If you have suffered, or if one of your family members has suffered, injuries as the result of a construction accident, an experienced construction accident and injury litigation attorney can help you understand your rights.

Construction Injuries at a Glance

Hazards posed by construction sites include exposure to noise, dust and other chemicals, working from high elevations and in confined spaces, working with power tools and other mechanical equipment, exposure to electricity, and performing excavations. More information on the specific types of injuries suffered by constructions workers is provided below.

Construction Accidents and Workers' Compensation

If you have been injured while working at a construction site, your financial recovery may be affected by workers' compensation laws, depending on your employment situation and the degree of liability on your employer's part. Keep in mind that parties other than your employer may be legally responsible for your injuries (such as third-party contractors, property owners or equipment manufacturers) and your recovery from those parties will most likely not be affected by workers' compensation laws.

Construction Workers' Rights Under OSHA

OSHA safety standards and regulations apply to construction projects, so it is helpful to have a general idea of your rights under OSHA as an employee at a construction job site. If you or your loved one has suffered injuries as the result of a construction accident, consult an attorney to learn more about your rights regarding compensation.

Construction Accident Resource Links

OSHA - Employee Workplace Rights
From the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. What to do if you question the safety of your workplace. Lists addresses and phone numbers for more information.

OSHA - Construction Scaffolding
Overview, press releases, links, OSHA standards and regulations, and a "Scaffolding eTool", which provides illustrated safety checklists for specific types of scaffolds and identifies hazards.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related disease and injury.

Department of Labor
Resource for workers, including information on each state's workers' compensation laws, whistleblower protection and health and safety guidelines.

OSHA Construction Resource Manual
The manual contains important information on inspections, penalties for violations, reporting requirements for injuries, access to records, health and safety standards and more.

Labels in bold are required.

$2,100,00 million settlement - unwitnessed fall resulting in an ankle sprain which required surgery and developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome;
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$3,400,00 million jury verdict - auto accident - victim suffered cardiac injuries but returned to work within 90 days;
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$3,370,000 million settlement - November 18, 2004 deft tractor-trailer driver Gary Sucku made a left turn from northbound Archer into the Dolphin Cartage truckyard near Knox;
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$1,000,00 million settlement - construction worker suffered multiple trauma when crane boom collapsed;
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$1,500,000 million settlement - lab allegedly breached ethical duty to gynecology patients in reporting pathology results;
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$348,000 verdict - truck driver slipped and fell on oil at loading dock - torn medial meniscus;
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$800,000 verdict - "high burner" suffered knee injury after gas explosion;
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$515,000 - May 10, 2005 deft Durley, waived on by stopped drivers in two of three lanes of traffic on southbound Cicero, made left turn onto westbound 78th St;
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$270,000 settlement - May 5, 2004 plaintiff, female 24, driving to work southbound on 1-55 during morning "rush hour" when she was struck by defendant's tractor-trailer which had jack knifed after allegedly being struck by a "phantom" hit and run driver; see video;
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$210,000 settlement - June 2, 2004 plaintiff, female, 20, was driving her 2001 Pontiac Surefire eastbound on 159`h Street on her way to attend college classes when she was struck from behind by defendants cement truck;
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$210,000 verdict - bar patron beaten by bouncer at nightclub - less than $2500 in medical expenses.
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$3,775,000 million settlement for multiple female plaintiffs whose ob/gyn doctor allegedly performed unnecessary biopsies on them in his office.
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$300,000 settlement for female plaintiff whose horse was attacked by 2 Rottweiler dogs, causing her to fall and sustain facial and dental injuries.
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$1,200,000 million settlement on behalf of newborn baby infected with a chronic form of hepatitis as a result of hospital's failure to administer vaccine.
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$6,950,000 million - class action settlement -health insurer alleged to improperly resolve its liens for medical payments which resulted from third party automobile accidents;
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$200,000 settlement - medical malpractice - cataract patient given wrong lens during cataract surgery but still has 20/20 corrected vision;
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$140,000 settlement/arbitration award - television reporter sustained back injury in auto accident - only $7500 in medical expenses;
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$192,500 for three roller-coaster riders who were stuck upside down on the Demon roller coaster when ride failed at Six Flags.
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Law Office of William S. Wojcik
4550 W. 103rd Street
Oak Lawn IL 60453

Toll Free 888-823-8398
Phone 708-424-2121
Fax 708-424-7778
Oak Lawn Law Office
Email Us

We represent clients throughout Cook County, including Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Alsip, Burbank, Hickory Hills, Worth, Chicago Ridge, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Palos Hills, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Western Springs Crestwood, Orland Park, Oak Forest, Tinley Park, Homer Glen, Mokena, New Lenox and Frankfurt.

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