Construction Accidents

In the Windy City and all over the country, the construction industry is incredibly dangerous. Tall buildings mean even taller cranes and other implements. On the ground, sometimes inexperienced workers operate extremely heavy machinery. Both in the air and on the ground, many workers have limited English proficiency, so they may not understand vague safety rules. Even worse, an alarming number of companies put profits before people.

If you were hurt at work, the workers’ compensation law provides important benefits that your family needs, but these benefits are not simply there for the taking. You need an aggressive attorney like the ones at Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd. to help you obtain these benefits. The once-straightforward workers’ compensation process has become a maze. Without proper guidance, most people get lost. We do not want that to happen to you.

The “Fatal Four” Construction Accidents

Nationally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration police construction worksites and ensures their safety. OSHA has fewer than 3,000 inspectors who are responsible for 130 million workers at about 10 million worksites. These overworked inspectors can only do so much. So, construction accidents are common. OSHA estimates that eliminating workplace deaths related to the “fatal four” would cut workplace fatalities by more than half. The fatal four are:

• Falls,
• Electrocutions,
• Struck by object, and
• Caught between two objects.

In 2016, an average of 14 workers died every day in American workplaces.

Compensation Available

A serious workplace injury means loss of income and substantial medical bills. So, workers’ compensation pays for both these losses.

Most victims sustain temporary disabilities. They are unable to return to work until they are 100% better. This means they must receive proper medical attention and complete their physical therapy regimens. While they are unable to work, most victims receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage. So, their families have the income they need to pay bills.

Workers’ compensation medical bill reimbursement works a bit differently. In some cases, the insurance company pays these expenses directly and victims are not responsible for any unpaid charges. In other cases, an attorney arranges for the victim to receive treatment at no upfront cost. Either way, job injury victims often never see any medical bills.

Illinois has a broad workers’ compensation law. For example, most victims can choose their own doctors. Job injury victims in many other states do not have that right.

Am I Entitled to Additional Compensation?

Possibly. The Chicago construction industry is extremely competitive. A few dollars could make the difference between making money and losing money on a particular project. So, some companies cut corners. Worker safety is often one of the first things on the chopping block.

If there is evidence that the company was reckless and knowingly put workers at risk, the victims may be able to sue outside the system and obtain additional compensation. In addition to money for the aforementioned economic losses, these individuals might also receive compensation for their noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Work with Dedicated Attorneys

Construction accident victims may be entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago, contact Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd. We routinely handle matters in Cook County and nearby jurisdictions.