Chicago is known as “The City of Big Shoulders” due to the number of residents who work physically demanding (and often dangerous) jobs. But beyond Chicago, the State of Illinois is home to tens of thousands of laborers, each facing the risk of injury or death every time they clock in.
In the sections below, Power Rogers has outlined the most recent fatal work injury figures according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including how and where they most commonly happen, and what you can do if you’ve suffered the loss of a loved one due to a workplace fatality or wrongful death.
Illinois Work Fatalities At a Glance
According to the latest available data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, Illinois reported 145 workplace fatalities. Regionally, this places the state among the higher totals in the Midwest, with only Michigan (166 fatalities), Ohio (164 fatalities), and Indiana (157 fatalities) reporting more.
The highest year on record for workplace fatalities in Illinois is 1996, with 262 fatalities. Thankfully, this number has declined over the past two decades, with 2020 reaching a record low of 135 fatalities.
What Are the Most Common Types of Fatal Workplace Accidents in Illinois?
Workplace fatalities and wrongful deaths can happen in every job, regardless of the type of work involved. However, when looking at the statistics, the most life-threatening jobs are often the ones that require physical labor and driving. Below are the most common types of fatal workplace injuries, and the types of jobs that see them most frequently.
Transportation Accidents
Transportation incidents were the leading cause of workplace fatalities in Illinois in 2023, accounting for 55 out of 145 total deaths—over one-third of all job-related fatalities in the state. Workers whose jobs require extended time behind the wheel—such as delivery drivers, construction workers, first responders, and commercial truck operators—face a heightened risk of serious injury or death on the road.
Falls
The second most common cause of workplace death in Illinois is falls, contributing to 17% of Illinois’ total workplace deaths in 2023. Falling can happen in every type of job, but the risk of death is much higher when working at higher heights, in cluttered walkways, or around uneven or slippery surfaces. The workers with the highest level of risk for falling deaths are construction workers (particularly roofers, painters, steelworkers, and framers), loggers, agricultural workers, and window cleaners. Falls can often go from injurious to fatal if protective equipment, such as harnesses or netting, is poorly maintained or not in use.
Violent Acts
Sadly, many workplace deaths are not accidental. Acts of violence were the third most common cause of workplace fatalities in 2023, with a total of 18 incidents, often involving shootings or stabbings. These incidents are most common in high-stress jobs that require interaction with vulnerable populations, such as social services, healthcare, or law enforcement. They’re also common in workplaces that are at higher risk for robbery, or ones that involve de-escalating intoxicated individuals, such as retail, delivery, and the service industry.
Contact Accidents
A contact accident occurs any time a worker is struck by another object. This includes incidents in which workers are hit by falling materials, tools, equipment, or debris, or are caught in moving machinery. It also includes those in which workers are pinned between building materials or machinery, or are killed in a building collapse.
Regardless of how these incidents occur, they have one of the highest rates of death in the construction industry, contributing to 16% of all Illinois workplace deaths in 2023. Sadly, many of them are preventable through regular equipment inspections, strict adherence to safety procedures, clear signage, and the use of personal protective gear like hard hats, gloves, and high-visibility clothing.
Construction: One of Illinois’s Most Dangerous Industries
From heights to heavy machinery and other hazards, construction jobs pose substantial risk. In 2023, the industry contributed to nearly 25% of all workplace deaths. Here are a few trades in the industry that are particularly dangerous
Roofing
The primary area of concern for roofers is the elevated heights at which they work. But height alone isn’t the only concern. Working on uneven or slippery surfaces as well as carrying heavy loads up and down ladders also pose dangers. Poorly maintained safety equipment (or a lack thereof) and inclement weather, such as rain, ice, or extreme wind, cold, or heat, further increase the risk of injury.
Steel Work
Iron and steel workers operate at hundreds or even thousands of feet above ground, assembling the structural frameworks for buildings and bridges. Their work involves hoisting, welding, and bolting heavy steel beams while balancing on narrow surfaces. Because of this, the margin of error is very slim, and if protective harnesses and safety gear aren’t provided or are poorly maintained, it can easily spell disaster.
Many steel and iron workers also use heavy machinery, which can be challenging to operate and maintain balance. The risk of contact accidents is also high since they are often required to lead and fasten thousands of pounds of suspended materials into place every day.
Demolition
Workers on demolition crews often face a combination of nearly every type of health and safety risk found at construction sites. Tearing a building down requires the use of blades, sledgehammers, jackhammers, and pry bars, all capable of injuring or killing a worker who is poorly trained or insufficiently protected by safety gear. In the process, they are also frequently exposed to toxic materials such as asbestos, fiberglass, and dust, which can cause eye or respiratory injuries or disease.
Perhaps most dangerous of all is the risk of contact injuries. Safely demolishing a building requires careful planning and training to prevent workers from being struck by flying debris or even the building itself. Unfortunately, when this is done carelessly, it can easily cause numerous fatalities.
What Illinois Families Can Do After a Fatal Workplace Accident
When a family member or spouse is killed in a tragic work accident, it can be one of the most devastating and emotionally taxing times in a person’s life. Not only have they been parted from their loved one, but they’re often also left with funeral, burial, healthcare, and estate expenses. Those who have endured a workplace death in their family often have the option of filing for workers’ compensation to help mitigate these costs.
If negligence or a person other than the departed family member’s employer is suspected to have contributed to their loved one’s death, a wrongful death lawsuit may also be an option. This type of lawsuit allows a personal representative of the family (typically an immediate family member or spouse) to seek additional compensation, including that which covers the non-financial impact of their loss, such as emotional distress.
Power Rogers Stands with Families After Workplace Fatalities in Illinois
If you’ve suffered the loss of a family member due to a workplace accident, Power Rogers is here to help you review your options. For over 30 years, our firm has represented Chicago families in wrongful death cases resulting from workplace accidents, helping them recover millions of dollars in compensation. Some of our past results include:
- $19 million for the family of a tow truck driver who was pinned between two vehicles.
- $14.2 million for the family of a signalman tragically killed in a construction accident.
If you’d like to learn how we can help you pursue compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one, contact us for a free consultation today. Let us fight for your family during this difficult time.
