Key Takeaways
- Workers’ compensation has limits — while it covers medical bills and partial wages, it does not include pain and suffering or other non-economic damages.
- You may still file a third-party lawsuit — if someone other than your employer (contractor, property owner, manufacturer) contributed to the accident, you can pursue additional compensation.
- Act quickly and document everything — reporting the injury, seeking medical care, and preserving evidence are critical to protecting your claim and maximizing recovery.
Accidents on construction sites can have serious, lasting consequences. Back injuries, broken bones, head trauma, and other harms not only cause pain but also often lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills, long-term disability, and a reduced quality of life.
Workers’ compensation can be a vital resource for covering these expenses, but it won’t always cover every impact of the injury, especially when it comes to pain and suffering and other non-economic losses. If a third party, such as a negligent contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, caused the accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to pursue additional compensation.
At Power Rogers, we understand how these injuries affect workers and their families. For over 30 years, we have represented construction workers in Joliet and across Illinois, fighting to secure fair compensation and hold responsible parties accountable.
Can You Sue for an Injury on a Construction Site?
When a construction worker is injured on the job, there are a few different options they may be able to pursue to recover compensation for their medical bills and other damages. The first option that many workers consider is workers’ compensation. This resource is available to most construction workers who are considered employees (not contract workers), regardless of the type of accident or who might be responsible.
However, workers’ compensation is primarily designed to cover only specific economic damages that the worker faces as a result of the injury. While it may cover medical bills, disability, and a portion of the workers’ wages while they’re unable to work, it doesn’t cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, or loss of enjoyment of life.
If the injury was caused by the negligence of a third party, such as a contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, injured workers generally have the right to file a lawsuit against that party and pursue compensation, even while receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
How a Joliet Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help
The process of filing a personal injury claim can be exceptionally challenging to manage without the help of a lawyer. To succeed in your case, you’ll need to investigate the accident to determine the at-fault parties, collect a high volume of evidence, manage communications with insurance, witnesses, and other parties, file paperwork at the correct deadlines, and successfully assert fair compensation when negotiating with insurance. A construction accident lawyer can handle each of these steps for you, not only ensuring the process moves smoothly but also that your claim accounts for every dollar you are entitled to recover.
Why Choose Power Rogers?
Power Rogers has received wide recognition in the community of Joliet and across Illinois for our ability to handle complex and serious workplace injury cases. Over our 30+ years as a law firm, we’ve recovered more than $6 billion on behalf of our clients, including a $3.7 million settlement in a construction injury lawsuit and a $2.5 million settlement on behalf of an iron worker who suffered multiple fractures after falling while on the job site.
Our construction accident attorneys strive for a personalized and compassionate approach to litigation while also applying an aggressive and results-driven strategy needed to be successful in these often challenging cases. We offer free case evaluations, and we handle every personal injury case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Types of Construction Site Accidents We Handle
Construction sites are inherently dangerous environments, and if safety procedures and regulations are ignored, the consequences can be life-altering or even deadly. Here are just a few of the types of construction accidents that our firm has litigated:
- Falls: Many forms of construction take place at hundreds or even thousands of feet above ground level. If harnesses or scaffolding malfunction, it can cause catastrophic injury to the victim.
- Falling objects: Objects or debris also frequently fall from elevated heights, striking the workers below.
- Electrocutions and burns: Exposed wires, improper lockout procedures, or negligent handling or transportation of abrasive chemicals can all lead to serious burns or electrocution.
- Machinery and equipment failures: If improperly maintained or handled, forklifts, cranes, and power tools all have the capacity to crush or maim.
Common Construction Accident Injuries
Practically any type of injury that a worker might sustain can occur on the jobsite at a much more heightened and severe scale than in other occupations. Some of the most common construction worker injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and complex fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Severe burns
- Amputations
Apart from the physical pain and long-term limitations associated with these injuries, unfortunately, this is just one small aspect of the hardships they face. In many cases, injured construction workers are burdened by extended recovery times lasting weeks or even months, and in severe cases, their disability may even prevent them from ever working again. With thousands of dollars in medical debt and no foreseeable income, the financial and emotional toll can be seismic.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Construction Accident in Joliet?
Damages in construction accident claims are generally broken into two separate categories. The first is economic damages, which are defined by a specific financial loss. Compensation for economic damages typically includes past and future medical expenses and lost income. In cases involving fatal construction accidents, families may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit and pursue compensation for funeral and burial services along with other damages.
The second category is non-economic damages. These address the hardships that an injured worker and their family have endured that do not have a specific financial value. Examples of these include emotional trauma, pain and suffering, the inability to socialize due to your injury, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What To Do After a Construction Accident in Joliet, IL
When an injury occurs on a construction site, the scene can be very disorienting. But it’s important to remember that the steps you take can affect the strength of your case, and most importantly, your health.
- Report the incident to a supervisor, and ensure that your injuries, the time, date, and the names of any witnesses are recorded in writing.
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel that your injuries are minor. Some serious injuries, such as head injuries or spinal injuries, can take days or even weeks to show symptoms. Additionally, getting an immediate medical evaluation will serve as important evidence later on in your case.
- If safe to do so, document the scene by taking pictures and videos of the accident site as well as your injuries.
- Avoid giving any statement to insurers or agreeing to any deals before talking with a lawyer.
- Contact a construction accident lawyer as soon as possible to go over your legal options.
Joliet Construction Accident Lawyer FAQs
How Long Do I Have to File a Construction Accident Claim?
The Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury claims (including construction accident claims) is two years from the date of the injury. However, there are many exceptions that can alter this deadline, and you may have less or more time to file depending on the circumstances surrounding your or your family member’s accident. Because of this, it’s essential that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible to determine if you’re still eligible and how much time you have to potentially file.
What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Illinois operates under a comparative negligence system, which means that you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 51% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% liable for your injuries, you would still be eligible for up to 80% of the total settlement.
Can I Sue If I’m Receiving Workers’ Compensation?
Yes, in certain circumstances. Receiving workers’ compensation benefits does not automatically prevent you from filing a third-party personal injury lawsuit. If someone other than your employer contributed to the accident, you may still be eligible to pursue a claim against that party while still receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
Contact Our Joliet Construction Site Accident Lawyers Today
When a worker is injured at the job, it can be difficult to determine what resources are available, where to turn to, and what steps to take next. To make matters worse, because evidence preservation and meeting filing deadlines are essential in these cases, waiting too long to take action can severely affect eligibility and the victim’s ability to recover what is rightfully owed to them.
You don’t have to face these challenges alone. The legal team at Power Rogers is committed to ensuring your case has its best chance at success, providing consistent communication and advice every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney who can help you review your legal options.
