Champaign Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction sites can be incredibly dangerous. Large machinery, heavy building materials, electrical tools, hazardous materials, and people working on precarious structures can all result in serious injuries or even death.

When you get hurt on a construction site, a Champaign construction accident lawyer can help you pursue a claim against the negligent party to recover damages.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have plenty of experience helping injured victims or surviving family members hold the at-fault parties responsible while pursuing financial compensation. Construction workers and pedestrians deserve to understand the protections they have under Illinois law.

Common Construction Site Accident Injuries

Unfortunately, severe injuries are common on construction sites. Injury victims could face a wide range of physical damage, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, broken bones, lacerations, internal bleeding, amputations, and even death. In addition, these injuries can put additional financial challenges on the victim on top of the physical ones.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Champaign, IL

Construction workers are vulnerable to many incidents that could lead to work-related injuries. If the incident occurred due to someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim with the help of our legal team in Champaign, IL.

If you are one of the almost 900 construction workers employed in the Champaign area [1], then it is important to protect yourself at work. There are several common causes that may result in these accidents.

Slip and Fall

Construction workers often work in dangerous conditions. You might find yourself up on scaffolding or walking along a slippery surface while on the job. These unstable surfaces could result in a slip and fall, causing you to get hurt.

If you fall because someone else failed to take proper precautions, contacting a Champaign slip and fall lawyer from our team will increase your chances of securing compensation.

Defective Machinery and Equipment

Construction sites are typically overflowing with heavy machinery and other equipment. Sometimes, these tools may malfunction or not operate as expected, leading to an injury.

This could be the fault of the person operating the equipment or the manufacturer itself, in which case you could pursue financial compensation to recover damages. If the injured person was hurt because of defective equipment, a third-party lawsuit may be the best option.

Electrocution

All that equipment requires power to run. Additionally, when working on buildings, electrical systems may be incomplete and exposed. If your electrocution accident was caused by another party at the construction site, then a personal injury claim might be your only option to win a fair settlement to cover medical bills or lost wages.

Exposure to Dangerous Chemicals and Toxins

Hazardous materials are common on a work site in the construction industry. If you are exposed to these chemicals, you could face severe burns, respiratory problems, or even long-term health issues.

If standard safety procedures were not followed to ensure these chemicals and toxins were handled properly, then you have a solid foundation for a personal injury case. Some hazardous materials that are common on construction sites include lead, asbestos, mercury, arsenic, carbon monoxide, and dust.

Building Collapse

Incomplete buildings or planned demolitions can be dangerous. While your construction firm may have strict procedures to keep all workers safe, shortcuts may be taken or individuals could ignore these procedures. A collapsing building poses a huge danger to workers on-site, potentially leading to permanent and life-altering injuries, even death.

If you have lost a loved one on a construction site, a Champaign wrongful death attorney from our team can help you seek the justice you deserve.

What to Do After a Construction Accident

Injured workers must know how to react after the incident occurs. The first priority is to protect yourself from further injuries and then you need to think about protecting your financial future as well. The following steps should be taken in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

1. Get to safety to avoid other dangers
2. Seek medical attention to address your serious injuries
3. Report the incident to your employer
4. Gather evidence of the incident, including eyewitness accounts and accident reports
5. Get in touch with a Champaign personal injury claim attorney to discuss your case
6. Pursue a personal injury lawsuit if negligence was involved and can be proven with evidence

Legal Options for Construction Site Accident Victims

If you get hurt while working in construction, you have several legal options you can pursue to protect your future.

First, there is workers’ compensation, which is a type of insurance businesses must maintain to pay workers who are injured on the job. The next legal action you can take is to file a personal injury claim If another party’s negligence caused your injury, then you can pursue a financial settlement to recover the damages suffered.

The third option is for surviving family members of a loved one who died on a construction site. If the incident was someone else’s fault, a wrongful death suit in Champaign can be pursued to obtain compensation.

Third-Party Personal Injury Lawsuits

In personal injury cases involving workplaces, it is not always the employer that is responsible for the incident causing the injury. This is known as a third-party personal injury case.

The third party for accidents on construction sites could be anyone outside of your primary employer who played a role in the accident. Our Champaign personal injury lawyers can help you hold this negligent third party liable for your injuries.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Construction Accident Injury Claim?

If the at-fault party is not your employer, they are considered a third party. Some examples of this third party include property owners, equipment manufacturers, contractors, other subcontractors, and even material delivery companies. Whoever is at fault for your incident will need to prove liability through compelling evidence.

Workers’ Compensation in Construction Accidents

Outside of the negligence required for personal injury situations, an injured worker can still claim workers’ compensation benefits. Your employer is required to pay for workers’ compensation insurance to cover employees who become sick or injured on the job.

However, if the insurance company chooses not to pay the full amount or denies the claim, you can defend your case with the help of an attorney.

The Statute of Limitations for Construction Accident Cases in Champaign, IL

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Illinois is two years from the date of the incident. That means if you do not file your claim within that time frame, you will not be able to pursue fair compensation.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. If malicious intent is involved on the part of the defendant, the timeframe could be extended to five years.

Additionally, if the victim is a minor or if the defendant leaves the state, the expiration date could be delayed. Generally, the sooner you file your claim after the incident, the stronger your chances of getting the most money from the insurance company.

Damages Our Champaign Construction Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover

The primary purpose of most cases involving construction accidents is to recover compensation for damages suffered. Damages typically fall within two categories; economic and non-economic.

Economic damages cover things like medical expenses for treatment, lost income, lost future income, property damage, therapy bills, and funeral costs in wrongful death cases. Non-economic damages include emotional suffering, ongoing physical pain, loss of companionship, and loss of quality of life.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Accident Attorney Today!

Whether you need help understanding the claims process or negotiating with the insurance company for greater compensation, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to help. We handle all types of construction work accident claims and offer a free initial consultation to all our clients so they can get a clearer picture of the claims process and the merits of their case.

We also serve clients from the below locations, and throughout Illinois:

• Chicago construction accident victims
• Evanston construction accident victims
• Joliet construction accident victims
• Peoria construction accident victims
• Springfield construction accident victims

Call us today at 888-424-5757 or fill out our contact form to get in touch and tell us about the details of your case. Together, our lawyers will talk through your accident, the legal options and the best path forward.

Related Practice Areas

• Champaign Truck Accident Lawyer
• Champaign Slip and Fall Lawyer
• Champaign Car Accident Lawyer
• Champaign Personal Injury Lawyer
• Champaign Uber Accident Lawyer
• Champaign Lyft Accident Lawyer
• Champaign Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
• Champaign Rideshare Accident Lawyer
• Champaign Wrongful Death Lawyer
• Champaign Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• Champaign Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Resources: [1] Illinois WorkNet Center

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.