In a workplace that has many crews, heavy equipment, moving materials, and also other elements, accidents can be common. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there were 5,300 cases of on-the-job incidents in Illinois in 2017.
As a result, 3,200 employees suffered days away from work, a job transfer, or also restrictions on job-related tasks. Under such circumstances, losses from injury-causing construction accidents extend beyond the employee to to the injured employee’s household.
There are laws intended to protect employees who get hurt in work-related accidents. It’s also possible to recover monetary benefits, and an Illinois construction accident lawyer can help with your claim. Also, you may want to review a few quick facts about workers’ compensation laws in Illinois.
How Construction Accidents Happen
Most workplace incidents in the construction industry occur through two different scenarios:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents. Road construction puts workers in and near traffic and moving vehicles so that contact between workers and vehicles can occur due to driver negligence. Common causes behind these collisions include speeding, drunk driving, failure to yield, and inattentive or distracted driving.
- Incidents Related to Workplace Conditions. In construction, the most deadly factors are the “Fatal Four.” These are falls, an object striking you, electrocution, and caught between objects. Workplace injuries may also occur from exposure to harmful substances or physical strain injuries.
Employee Rights in Construction Accident Claims
For injuries related to job-related tasks or conditions in the workplace, workers can file a claim under the Illinois workers’ compensation system. You don’t need to prove who was at fault in a work-related injury. But in many cases receiving workers’ comp benefits may be your sole remedy.
There are some exceptions to the rule on workers’ comp being your only remedy. Did another person who does not work for your employer cause or contribute to your injuries at work? You might be able to make a claim against them or their employer. This common in construction, where many crews or equipment from other employers are at the job site.
An experienced Illinois construction accident lawyer helps you get everything entitled to you.
What To Know About Settling a Construction
Accident
Your employer’s workers compensation insurance is responsible for paying your medical and rehabilitation expenses. When you have reached your maximum medical recovery you may have an opportunity to settle your case for a lump sum payment instead of weekly or monthly payments.
Similarly, if you have a claim against a third party involved in your accident, you may have an opportunity to settle the claim either before or after you file it in court.
Your employer’s workers’ comp insurance company may offer you a settlement to pay benefits in one lump sum or in weekly or monthly payments.
Third Party Claims
If you have a third party claim, you might be dealing with an insurance company covering the third party responsible for causing or contributing to the cause of your injuries. Again, settlement may be a possibility to resolve your case. Deciding whether a settlement offer is fair and adequate can be difficult and confusing.
Any you may not have managed or prepared your claims in a manner to maximize your recovery in a settlement. That is why the assistance of an experienced Illinois construction accident attorney can make all the difference in your recovery, rehabilitation, and settlement of your claim.
Trust Our Illinois Construction Accident Attorneys to Assist with Your Claim
Because of the complications involved with filing a workers’ comp claim for construction accident injuries, you should rely on our VanDerGinst Law, Injury Attorneys to protect your interests.
Please contact our firm at 800.797.5391 or check out our website to schedule a free consultation. We’ll explain your legal options in more detail after reviewing your circumstances.