The city of Chicago was the setting for two workers’ deaths in two separate construction accidents in recent days. The men who died were only 47 and 48-years-old, respectively. Construction accidents are tragic, causing many serious injuries and sometimes death. These accidents are usually of a serious nature due to a variety of factors, including the size and weight of necessary machinery, the potential for malfunctions to occur, and the use of scaffolding on tall buildings and skyscrapers. A person who has been injured in a construction accident may be entitled to compensation for their suffering and losses. It is important to contact an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible, to help secure a fair and just recovery.
According to news reports, the earlier accident occurred in Englewood. The worker died after being pinned and trapped under some type of large equipment. There seems to be some question as to whether it was a crane or some other heavy machinery. Several crews worked to free the worker from the machine. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the construction site. The victim had almost 20 years of experience as a road construction worker. Just three days later, the Chicago Tribune reported that a 47-year-old construction worker died after being crushed between two vehicles in the 200 block of North Washtenaw Avenue. Initial reports have indicated that the worker’s death was a “tragic accident.” There seems to be no evidence of “foul play.”
The number of workplace fatalities in the construction industry has been on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 817 fatalities in the construction industry in 2012, up from 781 in 2011. In addition to these devastating numbers, many construction workers suffer serious injuries on the job. In many cases, these workers are entitled to recover damages for their injuries. Under Illinois law, an injured worker may bring a worker’s compensation claim against the employer. Depending on the facts of the case, one may also have a third-party claim against another employer or company who could be liable for the injury.
A lawsuit can be filed against negligent parties. Negligence has been defined as failing to act reasonably under the circumstances. If a third party was negligent, or failed to act with ordinary care, they could be held responsible. A construction accident could involve the following negligent third parties (individuals or entities): property owners, tool manufacturers, heavy equipment manufacturers, contractors who are not employed by the injured victim’s employer, scaffolding and ladder manufacturers, and those who provide materials and other supplies.
In a negligence action, the injured victim may recover damages for the following items: lost wages, medical and hospital expenses, physical therapy sessions, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium claims for the spouses of injured victims. There are many issues to consider when approaching a construction accident lawsuit or claim. An experienced injury attorney knows that the most important goal is to reach a fair settlement or award for the injured victim.