Chicago Work Injury Lawyer

Whether you work at a construction site or in an office, an on-the-job injury can seriously affect your ability to earn a living and provide for your family. Although you may be entitled to workers’ compensation, these benefits are limited in what they cover ─ medical expenses and only a portion of lost income.

However, depending on the circumstances of your workplace accident, you may be entitled to additional compensation through a personal injury claim. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., our Chicago work injury attorneys can review your case for free and explain your rights beyond workers’ compensation benefits.

Schedule a free consultation now to speak with a work injury attorney about your situation.

When You Deserve More Than Workers’ Comp

Although workers’ compensation is available to help injured employees, these claims do not provide for all the losses injured workers sustain due to an injury on the job. When someone other than your employer is responsible for an accident that leaves you injured, you may be entitled to seek additional damages through a personal injury claim, also known as a third-party claim.

Examples of situations where a worker may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit include:

  • If defective equipment or a defective tool causes an accident that results in injury, you could file a third-party personal injury claim against the manufacturer.
  • If you are driving for work and are hit by a negligent driver, you could file a claim against the driver’s insurance company.
  • If you are working on a construction site, and someone other than your employer or fellow employees causes an accident, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Third parties may include other subcontractors on the site.

A personal injury claim and workers’ compensation claim may be filed in conjunction with each other. Talk to our knowledgeable workplace injury attorneys now to learn about your legal rights in a free consultation.

Dangerous Jobs in Chicago and Illinois

It’s well understood that heights, sharp-edged tools, heavy machinery, toxic chemicals, gases, electrical currents and other risks involved with certain jobs make them dangerous. But many workplace accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois can also occur in what would be considered safe “office jobs.”

Among about 5.4 million Illinois workers in 2011, there were 1.7 fatal occupational injuries and 3.6 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers (or 194,400) across a wide variety of industries and state and local government jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

Common Types of Serious Workplace Accidents

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we have provided legal assistance to workers injured in a wide variety of accidents, such as those listed below:

chicago car accident lawyersMotor vehicles:

The leading cause of workplace accidents and deaths involve motor vehicles. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that 1,354 workers die annually in crashes on public highways, while 358 pedestrian workers are killed each year. Truck drivers, delivery drivers and those who work around vehicles at construction sites, warehouses, ports or terminals are at risk for these serious accidents.

Heavy equipment:

A worker can suffer crushed limbs, head and brain injuries or severe back and spinal cord injuries from working around heavy equipment such as bulldozers, backhoes, graders, forklifts, skid steers, hydraulic lifts or cranes. These heavy equipment injuries commonly occur in construction, manufacturing and warehouse work.

machinery accident law suitsMachinery:

Factories and industrial plants can be dangerous places, especially when workers are not properly trained to work safely around machinery or are provided with inadequate protective gear. Some injuries are caused by machinery that is not properly fitted with guards and safety mechanisms, such as emergency stops.

fall injuriesFalls:

One of the leading causes of injuries for construction workers is falls from ladders, scaffolding or cranes, or through elevator shafts or holes in flooring. Serious injuries can also be suffered from slipping and falling on wet, oily, snowy, icy or uneven floors, and on stairways that lack railings or guards.

falling object injuriesFalling objects:

Bricks, planks, tools or other heavy materials can fall on construction laborers, while improperly stacked goods may fall on warehouse or factory workers. Falling objects frequently lead to serious head and brain injuries, especially when a worker hasn’t been provided with proper protective gear.

work place injuriesFlying debris:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 2,000 workers suffer eye injuries each year, with the majority of those injuries caused by flying debris such as metal shavings, wood splinters, shards of brick or glass, and dust or other particulate matter.

explosion injuriesFires and explosions:

Burns, disfigurement and damage to the lungs can result from a fire or explosion in a factory, warehouse or construction site. These serious accidents tend to occur because of the negligent storage or handling of gases, flammable liquids or hazardous chemicals. Frequently, welding can emit sparks that ignite fires.

electrocution injuriesElectrocution:

Unsafe equipment, improper grounding, poor insulation, loose connections or exposed and corroded live wires can lead to severe burn injuries for workers. An electrocution can result in burns to the hands, arms, feet and legs, numbness in the affected body part or possibly fatal cardiac arrhythmia.

toxic chemical lawsuitsToxic chemical exposure:

Some of the most serious workplace accidents are those that lead to exposure to toxic chemicals. These hazardous materials can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled through the mouth, nose and lungs, causing irritation, burns, poisoning or long-term diseases such as cancer.

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Compensation in a Construction Accident Injury Lawsuit

With so many trades and companies working together on a construction site, there are many times when workers are hurt in accidents caused by a third party. This is why you need an experienced work injury lawyer who can investigate your accident and determine all potentially liable parties. Our attorneys work to maximize compensation for our clients to give them the best possible chance at recovery.

When filing a personal injury lawsuit due to a construction site accident, our team may demand compensation for:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost income
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disability or disfigurement

These are just some of the most common types of compensation available in construction accident lawsuits. After reviewing the details of your case, an attorney from our firm can advise on what fair compensation should be in your claim.

Occupations with the Highest Injury Rate

About 1.18 million injuries that occurred at a U.S. jobsite in 2011 required a day or more away from work, the BLS says. Nearly 20 percent of workplace injuries that required days away from work in 2011 occurred among five occupations:

  • Laborers
  • Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants
  • Janitors and cleaners
  • Heavy truck and tractor-trailer truck drivers
  • Police officers and sheriff’s patrol officers.

Here’s a look at some industry figures from the 2011 reports for Illinois:

work fatality statistics

Falls, including slipping and tripping accidents, are a leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities. Transportation accidents, which include car and truck accidents, as well as accidents involving forklifts or similar vehicles, are another leading cause of job-related injury and death. Another factor not to be overlooked is violence, which is a risk in any job that requires contact with the general public, such as the retail trade. Eleven out of 12 work fatalities in Illinois in 2011 were attributed to violence.

Common Types of Workplace Injuries

Although a person may sustain just about any type of injury on the job, there are some workplace injuries that are more common than others. These include:

Our experienced Chicago work injury lawyers have handled a broad range of cases involving all types of accidents on the job. We know the impact that these injuries can have on workers and their families. That’s why we fight for the maximum compensation possible.

What to Do After a Workplace Injury

The steps you take after a workplace injury are crucial to any workers’ compensation claim or third-party personal injury claim you file. As soon as possible after an accident at work, you should:

  • Tell your employer: You should tell your employer right away about the accident. It is always advised to tell your employer in writing. Within your statement, include basic information about what happened, such as the time and place your accident occurred, how it happened, and who was involved.
  • See a doctor: Get medical treatment immediately for your injury. Be sure to follow the doctor’s instructions and attend all follow-up appointments. Save all medical records, receipts, and invoices related to your treatment.
  • Save any evidence: If you or someone else took photos at the scene, save these. Also, keep a note of anyone who witnessed the accident and their contact information.
  • Contact an attorney: The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner your lawyer can begin preserving evidence in your case. Your attorney will conduct an independent investigation to determine exactly what happened and to establish who was at fault for your injuries. Your lawyer will also manage all communication with the at-fault party and insurance companies to ensure your rights are protected.

If you are ready to learn more about your legal rights, please contact our Chicago workplace injury attorneys now.

How Can a Chicago Personal Injury Attorney Help?

If you have been injured in a workplace accident, it is extremely important that you speak to a work injury lawyer in Chicago as soon as possible. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., our skilled legal team will work quickly to determine whether you are entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. Then, we will walk you through every step of the process and explain what to expect as we move forward.

Don’t let your employer or an insurance company tell you what to do after a workplace accident. Contact us now to schedule your free consultation so we can advise you of your legal options. There is no charge for us to begin work on your case, and you only pay us if we recover compensation for you.

Attorney Patrick A. Salvi II
10 Simple Steps to Improve Workplace Safety
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