Construction site workers have some of the most dangerous jobs because of site conditions and the equipment they use on a routine basis. Construction site injuries are an unfortunate hazard and present a danger not only to workers but also to others present in the area.
Liability, severe injury, disability, and even wrongful death are all elements that must be taken into consideration when filing a lawsuit for an Illinois construction accident. There are many kinds of construction site injuries that can occur and numerous parties who may be held liable. If you or a loved one has been involved in a construction site injury you should seek the help of a Chicago construction accident attorney.
Liability for an Illinois Construction Accident
Construction sites can range from small home projects to towering multi-level skyscrapers. Because of the varied nature of construction sites and the many types of construction site injuries you may suffer, there are numerous parties that may be held liable for your injuries. An experienced Chicago construction accident attorney will be able to investigate your claim and help determine who can be held at fault for your damages.
The party most commonly deemed liable for the safety of the construction site is the construction site owner. Because they own the land, it typically falls on their shoulders to ensure the site is safely maintained during construction. The liability in these cases generally follows basic premises liability where the property owner is expected to be aware of hazardous conditions and remedy them.
Depending on the involvement of contractors, the general contractor or sub-contractors may also be held liable for construction site injuries. Contractors are typically responsible for the safety of their own workers in an Illinois construction accident. OSHA regulations provide guidelines for construction site safety measures and also help employees validate claims after suffering construction site injuries.
With any personal injury claim, you will need to prove that another party was liable for your injuries in order to receive compensation for your medical expenses. Negligence and failure to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations are usually the basis of most construction site accident claims.Some common reasons that construction site accidents occur:
- Unsafe work practices – Negligence in inspection and ongoing regulation of safety measures and worksite conditions.
- Unsafe equipment – Equipment that is not maintained properly or is unsuited for the job.
- Unsafe working conditions – Unmarked hazards, failure to cease construction during unsafe weather conditions.
- Product liability – Malfunctioning or improperly maintained equipment.
In the case of the first 3 common construction site injury causes, the property owner or contractor is typically held liable for the accident. Malfunctioning equipment may be the liability of the equipment manufacturer or service technicians.The heavy machinery and hectic conditions present at construction sites can lead to many more severe injuries such as:
- severe fractures;
- head injury;
- traumatic brain injury;
- spinal cord injury;
- severed limbs;
- severe burns;
- disfigurement; and/or
- death.
Our basic overview of construction accidents talks more about liability and the parties that may be responsible for your construction site accident. You should never take a construction site injury lightly and if you feel your injuries are substantial enough to warrant a personal injury claim, you should contact an attorney.An experienced Chicago at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you investigate your construction site accident and determine your options for filing a personal injury claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080.
