Waukegan Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction work is dangerous and can lead to severe injuries when precautions aren’t taken. Sadly, these accidents happen often because contractors cut corners and don’t follow safety procedures.

Negligent parties should be held accountable for their actions so that others don’t have to suffer in the future. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, our Waukegan personal injury lawyers advocate for injured victims and surviving family members who lost a loved one in a construction accident.

Contact a Waukegan construction accident lawyer at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Dangerous Work Sites in Waukegan, Illinois

Workers at Waukegan, Illinois, construction sites are often at risk of severe injury or death if an incident or accident occurs.

Many injuries result from serious negligence by a co-worker, property owner, project developer, subcontractor, supplier, or building material manufacturer.

Every injured worker or family member of a deceased construction site employee has the legal right to seek financial compensation. However, determining the liability of who is at fault can be a challenge.

Were you injured in a Waukegan construction site accident? If so, you need the skills of a reputable Waukegan construction accident attorney who specializes in premises liability, personal injury, and wrongful death cases to work on your behalf.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers handles construction site accident cases across Illinois. Contact our attorneys for a free case review if you or a family member was injured on a construction project in or around Waukegan.

Illinois and National Construction Site Accident Statistics

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the construction industry is America’s third most dangerous work environment, with 2,048 fatal work injuries reported in 2019. According to NIOSH and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), construction site accidents are among the most common causes of workplace fatalities.

Over the last two years in Illinois, there were 1,802 industrial accidents reported while three workers lost their lives on active construction projects.

In 2017, 13% of all fatalities in the private industry across America were attributed to work sites that had reported five or more OSHA violations. In addition, statisticians predicted that construction accidents would increase by 16% every year in the future.

A recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that in 2018, 805 fatalities occurred on construction sites across America, while more than 500 people died at work in Illinois.

By 2022, it is estimated that 4,800 people will die from injuries sustained in this industry. The most common causes of construction site fatalities include falls, electrocutions, being struck by a vehicle or equipment, and trench collapses.

In 2017, Illinois had the 2nd highest fatality rate for construction accidents, with 9.4 per 100 workers, while Louisiana claimed the top spot with 11.3 deaths per 100 workers.

Construction Accident Statistics in Illinois – 2018

A reported 9,413 accidents at Waukegan construction sites involved 15 fatalities and 7,094 severe injuries to workers.

In 2018, three reported fatalities from scaffolding collapse incidents while two workers died after being struck by a vehicle on the job site. In addition, two separate trench collapses claimed the lives of another two workers at Waukegan, Illinois, construction sites.

Chicago Data – 2017 Construction Accident Statistics

A reported 13,899 construction accidents in Chicago resulted in 16 fatalities and 10,231 severe injuries to workers. Over two-thirds of all incidents occurred at private projects, while commercial construction job sites accounted for a third of all incidents.

Chicago was ranked second in the nation, following New York City’s impressive 17.1 construction accidents per 100 workers reported.

In 2017, two separate trench collapse fatalities were at worksites across Chicago. Three construction workers died from scaffolding collapses. Another worker lost his life after being struck by a vehicle at a construction job site.

Parties Held Accountable for Construction Accident Injuries

Nearly 100% of all construction accident injuries could have been prevented had the employer, site supervisor, other contractors, and the worker followed safety regulations. Unfortunately, in many cases, someone else’s negligence harmed a construction worker leading to severe injuries or death.

However, how do Waukegan personal injury lawyers identify which parties are accountable for construction accident injuries to ensure that the victim receives maximum compensation for their damages?

At our law firm, our personal injury lawyers investigate what happened, who was involved, and if the construction company was negligent in preventing each type of accident. In addition, the contractor must prove that they met industry-standard safety standards while implementing them on-site.

Our construction accident lawyers often cannot determine which party is at fault until we complete a thorough investigation. The investigation may require diagramming the scene to determine the layout of equipment and materials, interviewing eyewitnesses who may have seen what happened, and speaking with experts in various fields to decide.

We would investigate manufacturers if their faulty products caused your injury. At the same time, we check the safety record of each employer when injured workers are not wearing proper fall protection or personal protective equipment at work.

Our construction accident lawyers also investigated if the worksite conditions were too hazardous for workers to be there.

When our investigators find negligence by one or more parties, we file a Waukegan construction accident lawsuit for the injured employee seeking total and fair compensation. The monetary recovery pays for medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering, and other damages connected to their injury.

Construction Accident Attorneys in Waukegan

Were you injured or a loved one killed in a construction accident that could have been prevented? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the injury.

Your Waukegan construction accident attorney will want to help you receive maximum compensation for your losses. We will fight for your rights as we attempt to hold those at fault liable for your injuries.

Integrity is our highest goal among the Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC construction accident lawyers. Our law firm always provides straightforward assessments and honest answers to your legal questions during a free initial consultation.

Construction Accident Laws in Waukegan, Illinois

Employers are required to keep employees safe on the job site. According to state and federal laws, every employer must provide proper training, safety equipment, and supervision for all employees on the worksite.

Fortunately, the law provides a legal remedy to every injured construction worker, even if they cause injuries during an accident or incident.

Additionally, the worker does not need to prove who was at fault for causing the accident, only that their injuries are verifiable by medical professionals.

Most Frequent Safety Violations at Construction Sites

According to the National Safety Council (NSC) and NIOSH, the most frequent safety violations occurring at construction job sites nationwide include:

• Lack of safety harnesses and lanyards on scaffolding, where nearly two-thirds, or 65%, of the workers killed in scaffolding accidents between 2002 and 2006 were not wearing fall protection.
• Unprotected above-ground openings to underground vaults, pits, tunnels, or other excavations
• Lifting loads that exceed the capacity of equipment or that are too heavy for employees to lift using their strength safely
• Lack of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, eye protection, steel-toed boots, and other safety gear
• Failing to follow OSHA safety regulations

Call (888) 424-5757 today for a free case review with Waukegan, IL, construction accident lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC if you were injured in any work accident.

The Fatal Four of Construction Accidents

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the fatal for highest-ranking injuries and fatalities involved in construction accidents include:

• Falls from heights, including scaffolding and ladders
• Struck by an object or equipment
• Being caught in/between objects
• Electrocution

Construction Accident Statistics (NIOSH) for 2015-2020:  A total of 1,338 construction workers died on the job during 2015-2020. Many of these victims had fatal head trauma and spinal cord injuries.

• Of these workers, 292 were fatally injured in falls.
• The leading cause of death for all Hispanic or Latino construction site workers was unintentional injuries (including motor vehicle accidents) at 47%, higher than the total U.S. population at 37%.

Non-white construction workers represent the highest statistics in fatal construction job site accidents. For non-Hispanic or Latino construction job site workers, falls were the leading cause of death at 35%, higher than the total U.S. population at 28%.

• About three out of four Hispanic or Latino workers killed on the job in 2019 (75%) were born outside the United States
• Fatal injury rates were higher for the Hispanic population than for non-Hispanic workers at all levels of educational attainment
• Non-White workers made up 30% of fatal injuries, but only 19% of active construction worker employees

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Nearly every employer and the State of Illinois must participate in the workers’ compensation system, ensuring that every employee has insurance coverage in case they are injured.

Workers’ compensation benefits provide financial compensation covering medical treatment and lost income for employees who have suffered a workplace injury or are sick from work-related illnesses.

The workers’ comp benefits help the injured worker during the healing process. However, the fines are insufficient to cover all of their expenses, including driving to and from the hospital for rehabilitation or wages for second jobs that cannot be performed while the injured victim is recovering from the construction job site accident.

Their compensation will usually cover medical treatment, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the injury.

Our Illinois construction accident lawyers can assist you with filing a workers’ compensation claim for injuries caused by an unsafe work environment or poor equipment maintenance.

Filing Third-Party Claims for Additional Funds & Benefits

The limited monetary recovery an injured construction job site worker can receive through the workers’ compensation system is usually insufficient to cover all damages.

In addition, there may be additional defendants in a case who could also be held legally liable for financial compensation in some construction injury accidents.

A construction accident third-party claim involves lawsuits against people or companies not covered by workers’ compensation. The defendants may include the following:

• Government entities, including local governments and public schools
• Property owners
• Property developers and general contractors
• Other subcontractors and their workers whose negligence or egregious actions led to the accident
• Architects, engineers, or others who are responsible for divining the construction job site and ensuring the safety of Constructing the structure or moving Dirt
• Crane operators must ensure they do not overload the crane, which could lead to a catastrophic construction site accident
• Those responsible for the construction sites design, such as an architect or engineer, can also be held liable for damages
• Equipment rental companies providing defective tools and faulty heavy machinery
• Product manufacturers that designed and manufactured defective equipment used on the job site

Numerous responsible parties could be at fault for causing the victim’s catastrophic injuries that could be held legally accountable if third-party claims. Typically, third-party claims are handled much like personal injury cases.

Competent Chicago construction accident lawyers can investigate all parties at fault and file a claim, case, or civil lawsuit seeking financial compensation from every party.

Current and Proposed Large Construction Projects and Waukegan, Illinois

Lake County, Illinois: Approval by the Lake County Board initiated the final step in the $110 million Courthouse Expansion Project that will increase the efficiency of the county’s justice system. The project will occur in downtown Waukegan.

The plans include a 200,000-square-foot tower that will house a dozen courtrooms connected to an overhead walkway. However, the entire project will not be completed during the initial construction phase, where the two top floors will remain unfurnished.

Washington Street has remained closed since 2015 while construction crews built the underground tunnel. The completion of the project is supposed to occur by the summer of 2018.

Buffalo Creek/Long Grove Reservoir Expansion: Numerous government agencies, including the village of Buffalo Grove, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and the Lake Co Forest District, have collaborated to significantly improve the reservoir.

Installing an additional 1.2 miles of trails along Shaper Road and expanding the existing lot will add parking for an additional 30 cars.

Wetland Mitigation

Bank Project: Lake County DOT will construct new trail sections to improve the Wetland Mitigation Bank. When the project is completed, day visitors will have access to new trails by the Village of Long Grove soccer fields.

Lakeshore Campus Renovations: Functional and aesthetic changes to the Expansion Project at College of Lake County –Lakeshore Campus will begin soon. The renovation projects will add much-needed classrooms and services, including child care and more room for the educational facility’s administration.

A nearly $48 million project started in May 2018 and runs through May 2021. Over 19,000 square feet will be renovated, and an additional 53,000 square feet of new construction will be added.

Shermer Road Bridge: New construction in Northbrook Village over the Shermer Road Bridge began in January 2018. New construction will replace the existing precast beams and bridge deck covering the Chicago River. The project is expected to limit public access along Schermer Road, between Church Street and Meadow Road. Bowman Construction has been awarded the job of Resident Engineer. Dunnet Bay Construction will perform the construction of the project.

Western Avenue Road Improvements: A complete reconstruction of Western Avenue from Oak Street to Techny Road was started in March 2018. The project is expected to last six months. Until the completion of the project, the road will be restricted to local traffic and remain closed to through traffic. Flaggers will stop cars and trucks at the construction site, and major traffic delays are expected.

Waukegan, Illinois City Building Department
Building Department
100 N MLK Jr. Ave.
Third Floor
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 625-6868

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit to Recover Money for a Fatal Construction Site Accident

Surviving family members who lost a loved one in a Waukegan, IL, construction accident can file a wrongful death lawsuit against every entity involved in causing their death. However, these compensation claims can be highly complex and confusing, taking many months or years to resolve successfully.

Typically, qualifying family members include surviving spouses, children under 18, parents, grandparents, and siblings.

Receive the maximum compensation typically provides funds for past bills and future expenses, including:

• The decedent’s hospitalization costs and medical expenses
• Funeral & burial costs
• Loss of consortium and companionship
• Loss of familial support and guidance
• Loss of inheritance and expected future income
• The decedent’s pain and suffering before passing
• The family’s pain, suffering, grief, mental anxiety, and emotional stress associated with the decedent’s passing

Discussing your wrongful death claim with a qualified, experienced Waukegan, IL, construction accident lawyer as soon as possible is essential.

A legal representative can help you understand all aspects of the legal process to make informed decisions about obtaining financial recovery through legal representation for your losses.

A wrongful death lawyer will be able to answer all of your questions about your construction accident case that caused your loss, including:

• What happened immediately, before or during the construction accident
• How the accident occurred
• The extent of your loved one’s fatal construction site injuries, and
• Which entities are responsible for your loved one’s death

It would be best if you also discussed your goals with our Chicago, IL, lawyers at your first meeting so that they can develop a plan to reach your desired outcome in resolving your personal injury claim.

Most wrongful death claims are resolved through negotiation, so getting started quickly with a competent construction accident attorney is best.

Additionally, the state statute of limitations restricts the family’s time to file a wrongful death case to two years from the decedent’s passing or when the accident occurred.

Free, Initial Client Consultations with Experienced Waukegan, IL, Construction Accident Lawyers

Did your loved one die, or have you suffered severe injuries from an on-the-job construction accident or incident in Waukegan, IL?

If so, you are likely entitled to receive financial compensation for recovering your damages and losses. In addition, injured victims can file worker’s compensation forms to obtain benefits that cover time away from work and medical expenses.

Hiring construction accident lawyers specializing in wrongful death lawsuits, construction accidents, and premises liability claims can ensure your family receives the adequate financial compensation they deserve.

Contact the Waukegan, IL personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers (888) 424-5757 or use the contact form for immediate legal advice and schedule a free, initial consultation to determine liability and your legal options.

Our reputable law firm has obtained millions in compensation for our clients, and we can do the same for your family.

Our Waukegan personal injury attorneys accept all construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning if we cannot secure financial compensation through a negotiated out-of-court settlement or a jury trial award, you owe us nothing.

So, call now and let a construction accident attorney begin working on your case today.

Waukegan Construction Accident Lawyer Resources:

• NIH – Analysis of the Characteristics of Fatal Accidents in the Construction Industry
• OSHA – Injuries in Confined Spaces