The Devastation of Construction Accidents
With the influx of people moving to Illinois, the state has a bustling construction scene. Construction companies rush in to build new structures, repair old ones, expand roads, and more.
The higher rate of construction means there is a higher chance for workers to be injured on the job. Working with high-powered heavy machinery and equipment that the job requires, construction workers face deadly falls, devastating burns, and crush injuries, among others.
A Granite City construction accident lawyer at Albers Injury Law will help you navigate the rocky road of filing an accident claim and gaining deserved compensation.
A single construction accident can change the course of your life forever. You want as much support as possible as you follow the path toward healing.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
Construction is a dangerous field. You’re working with high-powered tools, heavy machinery, fire, electricity, and more. Unfortunately, this means accidents that happen in the construction field are often severe.
The most common accidents include:
- Slips and falls
- Falls from heights
- Electrocution
- Fires and explosions
- Chemical spills
- Machinery or vehicular accidents
Severe and traumatic injuries, such as amputation and crush incidents, aren’t uncommon. These injuries can leave victims struggling to recover physically, mentally, and emotionally, while also paying thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills.
An Albers Injury Law construction accident lawyer works to get you the best compensation possible.
How To File a Granite City Construction Accident Claim
From the moment you’re first injured, you should take steps toward making a claim. Before anything else, seek medical attention. Have your injuries, no matter how minor, assessed by a professional to provide you with:
- A record of medical bills and expenses to back up your claim
- Detection of serious injuries you may have otherwise missed
- Access to treatment for all diagnosed injuries
- Peace of mind
Report the injury in writing to your supervisor and company and reach out to a Granite City construction accident lawyer.
The third step is filing a workers’ compensation claim, which differs from a personal injury claim. You can also file a third-party lawsuit if your accident happened due in part to an additional party.
Working with an Illinois construction site accident lawyer at Albers Injury Law streamlines the process, ensuring you meet deadlines and have all the support you need.
Workers’ Compensation Claims: Protecting Injured Workers
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance mandated by law, meaning your construction company must offer it. Workers’ compensation will provide you with benefits regardless of who’s at fault for your accident and may include coverage for:
- Permanent or temporary disabilities
- Medical costs
- Vocational rehabilitation
Workers’ compensation acknowledges the loss of finances you suffer when you can’t work and pays a sum of money to help ease the blow. Workers’ compensation laws do enforce limits on the amount of money a worker can seek and also typically include clauses that bar you from suing your co-workers.
Personal Injury Lawsuits: Holding Negligent Parties Accountable
While you can’t sue your co-workers, you can take other parties to court if they’ve contributed to your injury in some way. Examples can include:
- Subcontractors
- Manufacturers of faulty equipment
- Inspectors who didn’t do their job properly
- Facility managers or staff
- If anyone (person or company) contributed to your injury or the accident that caused it and they aren’t part of the company you work for, you can take them to court.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit not only holds the other party or parties accountable for their actions but can also gain you compensation to help you through the often-expensive recovery process.
OSHA Violations
If an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) violation contributed to your injury, you can also file a report. If OSHA finds your employer guilty and issues a citation, they must pay a penalty to the U.S. Treasury. Though this won’t directly help you on your own journey, it can prevent future incidents from occurring to other workers.
However, you can gain compensation as a whistleblower. OSHA can award whistleblowers with a portion of proceeds from the lawsuit, usually ranging from 15 to 30 percent, while simultaneously offering protection from retaliation.
Wrongful Death and Survival Actions: Seeking Justice for Families
Unfortunately, construction accidents are often deadly. In Illinois, two acts provide different support and coverage for grieving families.
The Wrongful Death Act allows family members of the deceased to seek compensation for losses they personally endured because of the death. This can include emotional suffering along with the loss of:
- Companionship
- Consortium
- Income
The Survival Act allows the family to file a claim and recover financial compensation through an estate on the decedent’s behalf. This can include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Damages for the victim’s death
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of future earnings
- Both acts are crucial for allowing grieving families to seek justice and gain financial compensation for their suffering.
Contact a Granite City Construction Accident Lawyer Today
Construction accidents are life-changing and can permanently scar or disable you. Some can be deadly, leaving a family in grief and without a primary source of financial support.
In those dark days, you don’t want to deal with fighting a legal battle and need an attorney who does the hard work on your behalf.
If you’re searching for a Granite City construction accident lawyer, look no further than Albers Injury Law. We’ll be with you every step of the way, from filing your accident claim to getting workers’ compensation payouts and more. Don’t face this journey alone. Reach out to us and begin your healing today.