Elevator shaft accident statistics demonstrate how surprisingly common these accidents are and how they can result in severe injury or even death. If you have sustained serious injuries or have lost a loved one as a result of an elevator shaft construction accident, you will need a qualified Chicago accident lawyer to help you fight for the damages that you deserve.
Elevator Shaft Accident Statistics
Listed below are elevator shaft accident statistics as gathered by the Center for Construction Research and Training:
- Escalator and elevator accidents kill about 30 people and seriously injure about 17,000 people every year in the United States;
- Of these incidents, 90% are elevator fatalities and cause 60% of the injuries;
- People who work on or near elevator shafts account for almost 50% of elevator fatalities; and
- About 50% of these fatalities were caused by falls.
The Center for Construction Research and Training’s definition of people working in or near elevators includes those installing, repairing and maintaining elevators.
In addition to falling, causes for elevator fatalities include:
- Being caught between elevators;
- Being caught between an elevator and a door;
- Being caught in elevator equipment;
- Being hit by elevators; and
- Having an elevator collapse.
Your Elevator Shaft Accident in Illinois & Workers’ Compensation Illinois offers workers’ compensation to victims of elevator shaft construction accidents. Among the benefits for which you may be entitled are:
- Medical expenses, including hospital care, prosthetic devices and medical appliances;
- Temporary total disability, based on two-thirds of your pre-tax average weekly wages for the 52 weeks before the accident;
- Temporary partial disability;
- Vocational rehabilitation such as retraining cost and counseling for job searches;
- Permanent partial disability, including for disfigurement;
- Permanent total disability; and
- Death and survivor’s benefits.
A qualified Chicago accident lawyer will be able help you through any disputes that may occur as a result of filing an Illinois workers’ compensation claim.
Personal Injury Lawsuits & Illinois Law
When you are hurt at work in Illinois and you file a workers’ compensation claim and accept benefits, Illinois law dictates that you won’t be able to sue your employer or another employee for damages. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Workers’ Compensation will be your only avenue of receiving damages for your construction site injuries.
A lawyer in IL can help you determine if a third party might be at least partially responsible for your worksite’s elevator shaft accident accidents. Statistics reveal that third parties might include:
- Contractors, other than your employer, who use unsafe equipment, unsafe working practices or create unsafe working conditions;
- A general contractor who neglected to make sure that subcontractors were keeping working conditions safe;
- Manufacturers who have created defective or unsafe products, such as faulty elevator cables or safety equipment;
- Manufacturers who have produced equipment that has design defects;
- Manufacturers who neglected to test elevators for defects before introducing the elevators to the market;
- Manufacturers who neglected to warn of any hazards that may occur with relation to the company’s elevators; and
- Maintenance companies that have not properly maintained equipment related to elevator construction or repairs.
Elevator Shaft Accidents & Illinois Law
Every state has statute of limitation laws. A statute of limitations dictates the time you have to file a lawsuit for your injuries. After the statute of limitations expires, you won’t be able to collect damages from the party(ies) at fault.
In Illinois, you typically have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you lost a loved one, you have 2 years from the date your family member passed away to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Product liability in Illinois is generally 2 years from the date of the accident.
When to Hire a Lawyer in IL
By hiring a lawyer in IL soon after your accident or your loved one’s death, you give your case a better chance for success. This is because you reduce the likelihood that valuable evidence will be lost or destroyed as time goes on and you give your attorney ample time to prepare your case.
The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many elevator shaft accident cases like yours and know the best ways to handle your worksite injuries case. For a free evaluation, contact us today – 312-263-1080.
