Construction sites can be hazardous places to work, and when an injury occurs due to the negligence of a third party, it is essential to understand your rights. In this blog, we will discuss how to prove a third-party construction injury in Illinois.

What is a Third-Party Construction Injury?

A third-party construction injury is an injury that occurs on a construction site because of the negligence of someone other than your employer. This could include negligent property owners, contractors, sub-contractors, or any other person responsible for the safety of workers at the site.

For example,  a construction worker may be injured due to a defective scaffold or ladder. In this case, the manufacturer of the product could be liable for negligence. Another example of a third-party injury is when an injured worker slips and falls on a wet floor due to the negligence of the property owner.

Dogs are considered man's best friend. Unfortunately, not all dogs live up to this reputation. While many are lovable companions, dogs are also animals with sharp teeth and claws. Dog attacks can lead to severe injuries, both physically and emotionally. Nerve damage, lacerations, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and long-term disfigurement may all result from a serious dog attack.

Sadly, over half of the people bitten by dogs are children. If your child was bitten by a dog or otherwise injured by a dog, it is important to understand your legal rights and options.

Illinois Law Specifically Describes Liability for Dog Bites

State laws describing liability for dog-related injuries vary. Some states are called "one-bite rule" states because a dog owner is not liable for injuries the first time their dog injures someone. However, Illinois is a strict liability state. This means that, regardless of whether the dog had previously bitten or attacked someone, an owner is responsible for any injuries caused by their dog. There are a few notable exceptions to this rule: If the injured person was trespassing at the time of the attack or the dog was provoked, the dog owner is not liable for the person's injuries.

Construction workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. They face all kinds of risks, from falling objects to malfunctioning tools and equipment. Unfortunately, all of these risks can lead to serious injuries. That is why construction workers and employers need to be familiar with the most common types of construction-related injuries—so you can take preventative measures and reduce the chances of an on-the-job accident. If you experience a construction injury, it is important to talk with a lawyer about your legal rights.

Falls From Heights

Falling from ladders or scaffolds is very common on construction sites. Workers should always wear a harness when working at heights and follow safety protocols to reduce their risk of injury from falls. 

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Back injuries, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other musculoskeletal issues are the most commonly reported injuries among construction workers. It is essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms of these conditions so that they can be addressed before they become more serious.

Medical malpractice is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences. Unfortunately, it happens more often than you might think. It is essential to be aware of the different types of medical malpractice to protect yourself and your loved ones from suffering unnecessary harm due to medical negligence.

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

A doctor’s failure to diagnose a condition correctly or promptly can create a whole host of problems for the patient in question. This medical malpractice can lead to misinformed treatment decisions and serious health complications, including death.

Surgical Errors

Surgeons make mistakes all the time, but when those mistakes occur during surgery, it is the patients who suffer—and often greatly. Some common examples of surgical errors include leaving behind a foreign object in the patient’s body, performing the wrong surgery, or operating on the wrong area.

Despite advances in training, technology, and safety equipment, the construction industry consistently has one of the highest rates of worker fatalities and death. More than 20 percent of all worker deaths occur in the construction industry, yet construction workers make up only six percent of the labor force in this country. Approximately 1,000 construction workers are killed on the job each year. Another 175,000 workers suffer job-related injuries. Tragically, many of these construction accidents could be prevented.

The Fatal Four

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), about 20 percent of all worker fatalities are the result of the fatal four – falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, and being caught in or between objects.

Falls are the leading cause of construction worker deaths, responsible for more than 35 percent of all fatalities. Approximately 15 percent of fatalities are due to struck-by accidents. Electrocutions cause 7 percent of worker deaths and deaths caused by workers caught in or between incidents are at about 6 percent.