Family of Deceased Ironworker Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Chicago Construction Accident
Construction accidents in Chicago can easily prove fatal, and they can also lead to wrongful death lawsuits. A family in Chicago recently decided to sue on behalf of their loved one, an ironworker who died after being struck by a piece of steel. What does this incident tell us about construction safety in Illinois? Can a workers’ comp lawyer in Chicago help your family if you find yourself in a similar situation?
Family Sues Four Construction Companies After Losing Their Loved One
On Boxing Day of 2026, CBS News reported that a family in Illinois had filed a wrongful death lawsuit against four separate construction companies. The lawsuit stems from the death of their relative, who was working as an ironworker on a project in a Chicago suburb. Although details of the incident are not completely clear, it seems that this worker was struck and killed by a falling piece of steel.
The lawsuit states that the four companies failed to carry out “reasonable inspections,” and that they failed to warn the victim about potentially dangerous conditions. Finally, the family alleges that the companies allowed the steel to be installed in such a way that it could easily come loose and fall onto workers down below.
Can I Sue My Relative’s Employer After a Workplace Death?
If your relative died in a Chicago construction accident, you might be wondering whether you can take similar steps to pursue accountability, justice, and compensation. Generally speaking, it is impossible to sue your own employer after an accident at work. Even if that workplace accident was fatal, the family cannot sue because of the workers’ compensation system.
Under this system, direct lawsuits against employers are impossible. Instead, victims and their families must file workers’ compensation claims to recover compensation in the form of “death benefits.” Although this might sound frustrating, death benefits can still be considerable. These benefits may cover lost future wages, funeral expenses, and medical bills your loved one might have incurred on their deathbed.
You May Be Able to Sue Third-Party Contractors
With all that said, certain exceptions apply to the restrictions of the workers’ comp system. Perhaps most notably, victims and their families can potentially sue third-party contractors who cause or contribute to workplace accidents. This may explain why the family of the deceased ironworker is suing four separate companies. If all four of these contractors were involved in the project, they may be vulnerable to third-party claims.
Direct lawsuits can be much more lucrative than workers’ comp claims, and this may be something worth discussing with an experienced injury lawyer.
Can a Chicago Workers’ Comp Lawyer Help Me?
A Chicago workers’ comp lawyer may be able to help if you need to take legal action on behalf of your loved one. As the recent lawsuit illustrates, these accidents have become quite common. As a grieving family member, you may have the right to file a workers’ comp claim or a wrongful death lawsuit, depending on your unique circumstances. Consider discussing your unique circumstances with Connolly Injury Law today.
Source:
cbs.com/chicago/news/tom-kircher-ironworker-killed-construction-accident-lawsuit-joliet-plainfield/
