Who Is At Fault for Illinois Construction Site Accidents?

 Posted on June 09, 2021 in Construction Accidents

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction sites are one of the most common locations for work-related injuries in the United States, and it is easy to understand why. Construction work tends to involve strenuous physical labor, and worksites feature a wide range of occupational hazards, including heavy machinery and equipment, dangerous materials, and ladders, and scaffolding. If you have been injured on a construction site, you may have a case for a personal injury claim, but it is important to determine who is at fault for your injuries.

Liable Parties in Illinois Construction Injury Cases

One of the most complicated aspects of construction accident cases is identifying the negligent parties. A number of different people and entities can influence the work environment on a construction site at any given moment. The identity of the at-fault parties in your case can influence both the amount and type of compensation you are eligible to receive, as well as how you go about pursuing it.

Examples of at-fault parties on construction sites include:

• The injured worker - In some cases, you may be fully or partially responsible for your own injuries, but that does not necessarily mean you cannot recover any compensation. As long as the injury was the result of an accident, and not intentionally self-inflicted, you can qualify for workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical care and lost wages.

• The injured worker’s employer - If your injuries are the result of your employer’s negligence, you will likely be unable to file a personal injury claim against them, but you can make a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

• Other employees, contractors, and subcontractors - Often, the actions of someone else on the construction site contribute to dangerous conditions that result in injuries. In these cases, you can file a personal injury claim against the negligent third party to recover additional damages for lost wages and pain and suffering.

• Property owners - Illinois property owners are responsible for keeping their properties reasonably safe for lawful visitors, and this includes people who are doing construction work on the property. You may have a claim for compensation from a negligent property owner based on Illinois premises liability laws.

• Material and equipment manufacturers - If your injuries are the result of defective scaffolding, tools, or construction vehicles, then manufacturers, designers, and distributors may be liable.

• Drivers near the site - If your worksite is near the road, passing drivers may be responsible for car accident injuries caused by speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and other forms of driver negligence.

Contact a Chicago, IL Construction Injury Attorney

At Adler Law Offices, LTD., we represent injured construction workers to help them recover fair compensation through personal injury claims and workers’ comp. We will work with you to identify the negligent parties in your case and determine how best to proceed. For a free consultation, contact a Cook County personal injury lawyer today at 312-236-2700.

Sources:

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/osh.pdf

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2048&ChapterID=57

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=073500050K13-213