Industrial Accident Attorneys in Chicago

Industrial Accident Attorneys in Chicago

When things go well, industrial jobs are a great source of stability for you and your family. You get a steady paycheck plus health insurance benefits, and you can see the progress of your work and how it is beneficial to society. The downside to jobs such as construction, manufacturing, warehouse jobs, and shipping is that they carry a substantial risk of industrial accidents that result in serious injury. If you get injured at work, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. If you get injured in a preventable accident, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. In other words, you must decide whether the most appropriate course of action after a preventable industrial accident that occurred while you were working is to claim workers’ compensation benefits or to sue the responsible party for damages; the law does not allow you to do both. The Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers at Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg can help you get the money you need after getting injured in an industrial accident at work.

Common Types of Industrial Accidents in Chicago

In almost any job that involves heavy machinery, serious injuries can occur. For example, motor vehicle accidents can occur at construction sites or on warehouse floors. Equipment can malfunction. Workers can fall from heights. These are some of the types of injuries that can result from industrial accidents:

• Burn injuries
• Bone fractures
• Puncture wounds
• Electric shock injuries
• Amputations
• Lacerations that require stitches
• Concussion or traumatic brain injury
• Whiplash injury
• Spinal cord injury

Even after you undergo treatment, you might suffer chronic pain after a workplace accident.  Some of these injuries can result in long-term neurological symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, vision problems, mood disturbances, and impaired short-term memory. You might not be able to perform the duties of the job that you held before the accident and on which you relied for your livelihood.

Your Rights After Getting Injured in an Industrial Accident

Workers’ compensation laws require employers to pay for the treatment of injuries that their employees suffer on the job. The law requires employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for this purpose. Filing a workers’ compensation claim is a legally protected activity, which means that it is against the law for your employer to fire you or otherwise retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. You do not need to prove negligence on your employer’s part to get your claim paid.

If your injuries are so severe that you will never be able to work again, then it might be worthwhile to file a personal injury lawsuit instead of a workers’ compensation claim. You can get more money if you win your case or if your employer, or any other defendant, agrees to the settlement you are requesting, but you must prove the defendant’s negligence.

Contact a Chicago Industrial Accident Lawyer

A Cook County workers’ compensation attorney can help you if you have suffered a serious injury in a work accident. Contact Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd. in Chicago, Illinois, to set up a consultation.