Close Attention To Every Construction Client
Construction workers experienced 21,400 nonfatal workplace injuries and 12 percent of all fatal falls, slips, or trips in 2020. Unfortunately, fall hazards are only one potential hazard on construction sites. Workers can be injured for many other reasons, as can those who are passing by work sites. Three of the ten most common safety violations cited by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) occurred on construction sites.
The Chicago-based construction accident lawyers at Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. can help if you or a loved one was injured in a construction accident. We are experienced litigators who have successfully handled many workplace injury cases, including those that occur on construction sites. We intentionally limit the number of cases we accept so that we can provide clients with the personalized attention and highly focused legal representation they deserve. Contact us today to take advantage of your free, no-obligation consultation.
Accidents are common on construction sites, despite efforts to create safe work environments. At our Chicago law firm, we represent individuals who were injured while working on a construction site. We also act for people hurt while passing by work sites.
At Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. we limit the number of cases we accept, allowing us to provide clients with personal attention and highly focused representation. Our firm has the resources to undertake complex and lengthy litigation; we are known as trial attorneys who are always prepared to take a case to court in pursuit of the best outcome for our clients.
If you have been injured in the workplace from a construction accident, Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. can help you. Please email or call now at 866-693-3806 for a free, no-obligation consultation with our experienced attorneys.
Why It’s Important to Hire a Lawyer
Construction accident cases are often complex and may involve several areas of the law. Construction accidents may involve building regulations, ordinances, and indemnification contracts that can affect your case. Additionally, construction accident cases may involve several parties who may share in liability. A lawyer familiar with construction accident cases will have an in-depth understanding of these legal complexities and will know how to prepare your case for maximum compensation.
Due to these complexities, construction accident cases may be difficult and expensive to resolve. Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. has the resources necessary to undertake complex construction accident cases. We are not afraid to take your case to trial or go up against big companies to pursue the best outcome for our clients.
How a Lawyer Can Help
When you’re considering hiring a construction accident lawyer, it’s crucial you understand their critical role in your recovery. An experienced construction accident lawyer can help with your case by:
- Investigating your accident to determine its cause and all potentially liable parties
- Gathering important evidence to help build your case, including company documents, personnel records, medical records, insurance policies, video surveillance, and accident reports
- Handling communication on your behalf so you don’t say or do anything that might adversely affect your case
- Using discovery techniques to gather additional evidence and get the other side to make important admissions that are central to your case
- Negotiating for fair compensation on your behalf through an insurance settlement or pursuing your claim in court
Recovering Compensation From Any Type Of Injury
Construction injuries can be caused by:
- Defects in ladders, scaffolding, forklifts and cranes
- Explosions and fires
- Electrical accidents
- Vehicle accidents
- Shoring accidents
- Falling objects
- Safety violations
Our Chicago accident lawyers handle cases of injury caused by accidents such as these.
When an accident occurs because of negligence by a third party, whether a subcontractor, delivery driver or equipment manufacturer, we seek a remedy for our client’s losses and damages. We have a record of accomplishment in such matters, obtaining many significant verdicts and settlements for our injured clients. We have also obtained damages for clients whose loved ones were killed in construction accidents, filing wrongful death claims on their behalf.
Workers’ Right to a Safe Workplace
OSHA requires all employers to provide a safe work environment. Under OSHA laws and standards, you have the right to:
- Receive training about hazards and OSHA workplace standards
- Ask OSHA to inspect your workplace
- Assert your rights under OSHA to report a dangerous workplace without retaliation
- Review copies of test results regarding hazards in the workplace and review records of on-the-job injuries, illnesses, and deaths
- File a complaint with OSHA if applicable standards have been violated
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
Construction accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Falls – Construction workers may fall from elevated heights off of ladders, scaffolding, or structures. They can also slip and fall in the workplace if it is not kept clean and uncluttered with tools or debris.
- Defective products – Defective ladders, scaffolding, forklifts, cranes, or tools can injure workers and passersby.
- Falling tools or equipment – Construction workers can be struck by objects, tools, or equipment that fall.
- Explosions and fire – Some construction sites are dangerous and may involve intentional or accidental explosions. People may be injured in resulting fires.
- Electrical accidents – Construction workers or those near the site can be seriously injured if live wires are active or if workers use electrical tools near water.
- Motor vehicle accidents – One of the most common causes of injuries in the workplace is motor vehicle accidents. Motorists may not pay attention to construction zones and run into someone who is working. Workers can also be injured while traveling from one job site to another.
- Misuse of tools – Workers or passersby may be injured if someone on site misuses tools, such as nail guns, drills, or power saws.
- Safety violations – OSHA establishes a variety of safety protocols to prevent injuries and illnesses on the job. People may be injured when workers do not have sufficient training or are not properly supervised when working with heavy machinery, such as cranes, forklifts, bucket trucks, or hoisting machinery. Employers who do not provide proper PPE or fall equipment can cause workers to suffer serious injuries.
- Toxic exposure – Construction workers and those who live near certain construction sites may breathe in or otherwise absorb toxic chemicals or substances, which can cause serious illnesses.
- Defective design – Defective architectural or engineering designs can disrupt the integrity of a structure, posing a risk to anyone on or near the job site.
- Defective workmanship – If contractors, subcontractors, or workers do not perform their work correctly, safety can be compromised.
Types of Construction Accident Claims
Construction accidents can give rise to a number of legal claims, including one or more of the following:
- Workers’ compensation – Workers’ compensation is often the exclusive remedy for a claim against an employer. Workers’ compensation provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement benefits if you are hurt on the job. It is a no-fault insurance system, so you don’t have to prove your employer was negligent in order to receive these benefits.
- Personal injury – In some cases, you may have a claim against a third party, such as a general contractor or property owner who failed to keep safe premises. To recover compensation in a personal injury case, you have to show the defendant was negligent.
- Product liability – Product liability claims are lodged against the manufacturer, designer, wholesaler, or retailer responsible for selling a defective product.
- Wrongful death – The surviving family may be able to recover compensation against the wrongdoer if their negligence caused the victim’s death.
An experienced lawyer can review the circumstances surrounding your case and determine which claim(s) you may be able to file.
Who Is Responsible for Construction Accidents
Who is responsible for a construction accident depends on the person or entity that was legally responsible for the accident and your injuries. This varies in each situation, but some responsible parties may include:
- Property owners
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Construction site owners
- Architects
- Engineers
- Product manufacturers
After carefully reviewing and investigating your case, an experienced lawyer can determine who to file a claim against.
Possible Compensation in a Construction Accident Case
If you were injured in a construction accident, you may be able to recover a variety of damages for the losses you suffered. The potential damages and compensation you may be able to recover include:
- Payment for medical expenses
- Payment for future anticipated medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- The full value of your lost wages
- Reduced or lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental health problems associated with your injury and recovery, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of consortium
Personal injury claims acknowledge the tremendous physical, emotional, and financial toll a serious accident can have on a victim’s life. As such, the potential compensation in a construction accident can be significant.
Construction Accident FAQs
What Is My Claim Worth?
Every construction accident claim is different, so there is no average amount accident victims can expect. Instead, the potential value depends on several factors that are personalized to your case, such as:
- The type and severity of the injury you suffer
- The type of claim you are eligible to file
- The defendant’s actions
- The damages you suffered
- Who the defendant is
- The available insurance
- Your age, earning capacity, and work history
- How the accident will likely affect you in the long term
An experienced Chicago-based construction accident lawyer can review your case and determine the potential value of your case.
How Much Does a Chicago-based Construction Accident Lawyer Cost?
Some construction accident victims are afraid of how much a construction accident lawyer might cost, and they simply choose not to take legal action that could provide valuable compensation for their harm. They are left with expensive medical bills, unreimbursed lost wages, and other financial losses.
At Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C., we do not want you to give up important rights simply because you are concerned with the potential cost. That’s why we provide our services on a contingency-fee basis. We provide our services at no upfront cost to you. We receive a portion of any award we are able to recover on your behalf. If we’re unable to recover compensation on your behalf, you don’t pay any attorney fees.
Building Strong Cases
We consult with engineers, construction specialists, safety experts and many others so that we develop persuasive cases that get results. Individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries such as brain injury or spinal cord injury deserve full compensation for their losses; we can help them obtain the necessary payment so they can begin to heal.
Contact Us for Help with Your Claim
If you were injured in a construction accident you believe was caused by someone else’s negligence, a construction accident lawyer from Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. can help. We can review your legal claim, answer your questions, and explore options for recovery. Contact us today for a free case review.
