Construction Injury Attorneys Personal Injury Lawyers & Injury Attorneys

Construction Accident Lawyers

construction-accident Construction sites remain some of the most hazardous work environments for laborers and tradespeople. Construction site injuries may arise due to the negligence of another worker on the site or perhaps due to an oversight by a general or sub-contractor. Urban & Burt, Ltd. attorneys are dedicated to protecting the legal rights of workers injured on construction sites throughout Illinois.

Complex business relationships, different theories of recovery necessary in order for an injured worker to maximize his recovery

When a construction site injury does occur, the injured worker may have a workers compensation case against their employer. A second cause of action may also arise if the injury was attributable to the negligence of an employee of another company, or perhaps an oversight of a different company working on the site.

Recovery from a third-party (not the direct employer) for construction accident injuries

Sometimes, a cause of action pursued against a company, separate from the employer gives rise to different legal rights than the rights afforded an injured worker under the terms of workers’ compensation alone. This is known as a third-party claim.

Because a claim against a third party is usually based on negligence, an injured worker can pursue the following benefits that are usually not covered by workers compensation:

Past and future lost wages
Past and future medical expenses
Pain and suffering
Disability
Wrongful death

Establishing legal responsibility for an injury sustained on a construction site

Because construction sites are frequently busy places that are usually off limits to the general public, it is of the utmost importance that an investigation into a construction injury be initiated as soon as feasible, in order to secure evidence that may help establish the fault of a party. Our Chicago Area construction accident attorneys will regularly pull building permits, plans and other construction documents to help determine who the responsible parties are for a project.

Experienced Construction Injury Attorneys

When necessary, we will get an order from court, to have work halted so we may examine the worksite and bring in our experts to further determine how an accident may have occurred. Taking these steps during the immediate aftermath of a workplace injury is an example of our commitment to fully prosecuting accidents at Chicago or Chicago Suburban construction sites.

Construction’s Most Dangerous Accidents the “Fatal Four” that Result in the Most Worker Injuries & Fatalities

Construction injuries and fatalities comprise a large portion of all the serious work related injuries every year. OSHA attributes 20.2% of all the fatalities in private industry in 2013 to the construction field. Of these fatalities, there is what is referred to as the “fatal four” causes that accounted for over 57% of the deaths of construction workers.

Falls. It is no surprise that falls are at the top of fatal accidents, as falls in general contribute to the most overall accidental deaths besides motor vehicle accidents. In construction fatalities, falls were responsible for 36% in 2013.
Struck by object. The 2nd highest killer for workers were those struck by an object, which made of 10% of the fatalities. This could be equipment, fall debris or other objects sustaining fatal injuries on impact.
Electrocution. A close third behind being struck was electrocution at 9%. With high voltage being used in construction projects and the proximity to power lines, there is a constant danger of electrocution.
Caught-In/Between. The last of the fatal four is due to the worker being crushed between objects or equipment.

OSHA estimates that 478 lives a year could be saved if the fatal four were eliminated. Some of these also correlate with some of the top ten OSHA standards that were violated and cited in 2013, including scaffolding regulations, fall safety, electrical methods, ladders and machine guarding.

Local Construction Injury Attorneys

Illinois also has a high rate of construction worker injuries. In a report issued by the Department of Health of Illinois, construction workers were in the top job classifications for work injuries. It was estimated that 1 out of 25 workers were injured each year in the construction field, making it a high-risk occupation for injury.

Urban & Burt, Ltd. knows the emotional strain and financial uncertainly which impact both the injured worker and their family. Given the lasting significance that accompanies construction injury cases, our attorneys frequently draw upon experts to assist in both proving fault and establishing damages. If you or a family member was injured on a construction site in Illinois, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your available legal options with you. Let us investigate your case for you and insure that you and your family recover maximum damages for your injuries.

Urban & Burt, LTD. Client Recoveries

In excess of $1 million paid by Japanese auto maker to settle case of college student who suffered abdominal injury caused by defective design of seatbelt. Insurance company for at fault driver who crossed center line causing accident paid their policy limit of $200,000.

Elderly lady hit by truck in church parking lot sustained bruises $20,000 settlement paid by drivers’ insurance company.

Landlord failed to properly maintain apartment causing a portion of the drywall ceiling to fall on tenant. Tenant received $125,000 as a result of injury to his shoulder.

Workers comp award of $77,985 for back injury at furniture store from lifting furniture.

$1 million paid by trucking company for multi car accident on I-294. Jaws of Life used to cut out two passengers from car.

Work injury of Meniscal and ACL tears, surgery, while putting tarp on truck $115,000 paid by workers compensation insurance carrier.

Wrongful death of senior who was passenger in a car. Death Caused by driver distracted using cell phone. Drivers insurance carrier paid $50,000 policy limit. Additional $300,000 policy limit recovered from plaintiff’s underinsured motorist policy for decedents’ estate.

Dental malpractice where dentist caused injury to nerve while doing dental implant settled for $20,000 just before start of Federal Court trial.

High school girl bullied and assaulted by classmate. Parents and insurance company paid $25,000 settlement.

Young mother awarded $38,000 by jury for back sprain caused by rear end collision.

Client tripped in hole in floor at work and suffered labrum tear and tendon tear $65,000 paid by workers comp insurance carrier.

Estate of elderly immigrant struck and killed by snow plow clearing grocery store parking lot receives insurance policy limit of $500,000.

Client hit by uninsured driver under the influence of alcohol and drugs on Interstate I-80. Client required surgery to his back. Surgery was fully paid by his health and welfare benefits fund. Uninsured Motorist Policy paid an additional $230,000 to plaintiff.

Plaintiff rear ended while stopped on I-80 for construction by “Distracted” driver, air-lifted to trauma center $100,000 (policy) paid plus $52,000 underinsured policy paid.

Passenger suffers broken wrist in car accident $72,500 paid by insurance company.

High school student awarded $30,000 for partial meniscus tear for injury sustained on school bus which was struck by car.

$105,000 paid to employee who was pulling a pallet at work and sustained medial meniscus tear.

$100,000 settlement paid for child injured on bicycle who was struck by car while in crosswalk.

Plaintiff recovers $150,000 for back injury sustained when she was hit by grocery store employee moving shopping carts in grocery store parking lot.

Client received injury to foot while getting pedicure settled for $20,000

Illinois Industrial Commission awarded $230,000 after trial for injury to cervical spine lifting at work.

Slip and fall at grocery store settled for $150,000 hit head, and sustained disruption of ACL Knee injury.

Client receives $750,000 for eye injury caused by exploding Takata airbag.