I Am A Construction Worker Who Was Recently Injured On The Job. What Are My Next Steps?
The construction industry is very hazardous, and as a result, many construction workers’ get injured in their line of work. The following article will provide some helpful information regarding the options available to these injured workers’ to obtain compensation for their injuries.
What types of injuries do construction workers’ typically experience?
Because of the physical demands required in the construction industry, there are many types of injuries that occur while on the job. Some of these injuries include:
- Amputation of a finger, toe, or limb
- Broken bones or fractures
- Burns resulting from fires, explosions, or electrocutions
- Cuts or lacerations resulting from exposed nails, tools, machinery, etc.
- Eye injuries or loss of vision from being impaled by objects
- Shoulder, knee, or ankle injuries (such as sprains or overuse damage)
- Loss of hearing from the loud noises on construction sites or failure to wear hearing protection while using machinery
- Paralysis and other spinal cord injuries, especially from falls
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from the experience of a traumatic accident (such as when fellow workers are also injured or killed)
- Toxic exposure to chemicals
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) resulting from falls or dropping objects
- Death (in which case the construction worker’s family should consider a filing a wrongful death lawsuit)
What options are available for an injured construction worker to receive compensation for his injuries?
When construction workers are injured on the job, they may not be aware of what the next steps they should take are. An injured construction worker can take one or more of the following options:
- File a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is an employer-provided insurance plan that provides monetary benefits to employees who are injured in the course of their employment. If a construction worker is injured on the job, he should promptly inform his employer of the injury and seek medical attention. Failure to report a work-related accident in a timely manner can result in the forfeiture of a workers’ compensation claim. There should be information freely available within your workplace regarding how to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, if you are unable to find this information, you should immediately inform your employer and make an inquiry regarding your rights.
- File a third-party personal injury lawsuit. If you decide to file a workers’ compensation claim, you will be unable to sue your employer or coworker for your work-related injury. However, if you were injured by someone other than your employer or coworker, you can file a workers’ compensation claim and also file a separate third-party lawsuit against the person or entity that caused your injury. If you are unfamiliar with the process of filing a lawsuit, you should consider consulting a personal injury attorney.
- Filing a wrongful death claim. Unfortunately, sometimes construction workers die as a result of work-related injuries. If an employee dies while working, the employee’s family can bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of that deceased employee. According to 740 ILCS 180.2(d), a claimant in the state of Illinois has two years from the date of the deceased’s death to file a wrongful death claim.
Are You A Construction Worker Who Was Recently Injured On The Job? Contact Our Firm
If you are a construction worker who was recently injured while on the job, Connolly Injury Law can help. Our Chicago construction accident lawyers are ready to assist you with any questions you may have regarding filing a personal injury lawsuit against a liable party.
Resource:
ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2059&ChapterID=57
