Construction sites present a unique and outsized risk of harm to workers, who may get severely hurt while carrying out their job duties. The combination of heavy equipment, harsh environmental conditions, heights, tight spaces, and other factors makes construction one of the industry’s most prone to accidents.
If you suffered an injury while working on a Chicago construction site, you may be eligible for benefits that address your medical and financial needs in the aftermath. Our Chicago construction accident attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman has recovered $200 million for our clients in just the last decade – let us put our talents and resources to work for you next. Contact our law firm today to discuss your case for free with an experienced Chicago construction accident attorney.
Dealing with the process of recovering from a construction accident can be overwhelming. As your medical bills begin to mount while you’re unable to work, insurance adjusters may be trying to pressure you to accept less than you deserve. Understanding your rights and facing these challenges alone can make a difficult time even harder.
The good news is that having a lawyer by your side can make it easier to pursue workers’ compensation benefits or compensation through a third-party claim or lawsuit while you focus on your recovery. A Chicago construction accident attorney can guide you through the process and manage every element of your claim. They will:
Don’t delay in securing legal representation after a construction site accident. Waiting too long to investigate can make it harder to prepare the strongest possible claim, and filing delays may risk jeopardizing your eligibility for workers’ comp benefits or third-party compensation.
Construction work involves constant physical risk, and accidents can happen even when all parties follow safety rules. The Chicago construction accident attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman represent injured Chicagoland construction workers in all types of cases to help them recover the benefits or compensation they deserve.
Falls are among the most common causes of serious construction injuries. Workers can slip on debris, trip over tools, a fall from high places such as a ladder or scaffold, a fall through unguarded openings, or from a roof. These incidents can lead to blunt force trauma, including severe brain and spinal cord injuries. Our law firm investigates whether safety measures were lacking and pursues benefits to cover medical care, lost wages, and long-term recovery costs.
Roofing work carries some of the highest injury risk in construction. Roofers are working from high elevation and are exposed to serious fall hazards. Fall protection is required equipment when working on a roof. Uneven surfaces, weather exposure, and faulty safety gear can all lead to devastating falls or impact injuries. A lawyer can identify whether an employer, subcontractor, or equipment supplier failed to provide adequate protection. We work to hold every responsible party accountable for their role in your accident.
Even when no fall occurs, roofers face risks such as burns from hot materials, electrocution from overhead lines, and injuries related to heavy lifting. These roofing injuries can prevent workers from returning to their trade. We help our clients file workers’ compensation claims and explore additional legal options when defective materials or unsafe practices contribute to their harm.
Scaffolds and ladders are essential tools on construction sites, but when they are poorly maintained or improperly secured, they can collapse without warning. Falls from these heights often result in life-changing injuries. Levin, Riback & Adelman works to uncover whether equipment defects, lack of safety equipment, missing guardrails, or inadequate supervision played a role and pursue full recovery for affected workers.
If a contractor other than your employer contributed to the construction site accident, you may have grounds to file a third party personal injury claim. In those cases, proving who bears responsibility is key to recovering full compensation. The following third parties may be liable in a construction accident:
Identifying every party that played a role in your accident can make a major difference in the outcome of your claim. Our Chicago construction accident attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman will work to identify every potential source of liability to pursue all available compensation on your behalf.
Injured construction workers in Illinois may qualify for several types of workers’ compensation benefits, including:
While workers’ compensation covers medical bills and a portion of lost income, it doesn’t provide payment for pain and suffering and other intangible losses. However, a personal injury claim can. If a third party’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident, you may pursue additional compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Unlike workers’ compensation, which should be automatically available upon proof of the job-related nature of your injury, a personal injury case requires you to show that another party’s careless or unsafe actions caused the harm.
A construction accident can leave you struggling to provide for your family and facing a lengthy physical recovery process. You deserve the time you need to focus on attending medical appointments, going through rehab or physical therapy, and doing everything possible to heal from your injury. Let the team at Levin, Riback & Adelman manage the process of securing the Illinois workers’ compensation benefits or personal injury compensation that will help restore your finances and health. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation with a Chicago construction accident attorney who’s ready to take up your fight for justice and accountability.
Injured construction workers who turn to our Chicago construction accident attorneys often have many questions about the process of seeking justice after an accident. Below are answers to some of the questions we receive most often, but this is far from an exhaustive list. If you have specific questions pertaining to your case, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information or to schedule an initial consultation.
It’s important to take immediate steps after a construction accident to protect your health and your right to compensation. What you do in the hours and days after the incident can affect your ability to recover benefits later. Take these steps to help preserve your claim:
Injured Illinois workers generally have the right to choose their own doctor for treatment after a construction accident. However, if your employer participates in a Preferred Provider Program (PPP), this can limit you to certain approved physicians. It’s important to confirm whether such a program applies before starting treatment. A doctor you trust can help fully document your medical needs and properly support your recovery.
Several important deadlines apply to workers’ comp claims. First, you must notify your employer of a construction-related injury within 45 days of the accident. You typically must file normal workers’ compensation claims within three years of the injury date, or within two years of the last payment of benefits, whichever is later. Missing these deadlines can lead to the denial of your claim. Your attorney can help you gather the required documentation and file everything on time to preserve your rights.
How long it takes to receive workers’ compensation benefits depends on your employer’s insurance carrier and the complexity of your claim. Wage replacement payments should generally begin within 14 days after you notify your employer of your injury. However, delays can occur if the insurer disputes your injury or treatment.
You still have options if your employer’s insurer denies your workers’ compensation claim. You can file an appeal with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) to have your case reviewed. Your attorney can help identify why your claim was denied, gather additional evidence, and represent you at hearings. Many denials result from missing information or disputes over medical opinions, and an experienced lawyer can often help resolve these issues and secure the benefits you’re entitled to receive.
The value of a construction accident case depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, your lost wages, and your injuries’ long-term impact on your ability to work. Workers’ compensation covers specific benefits, while a personal injury claim may provide additional payment for pain, suffering, and future losses. A construction accident lawyer can review the facts and give you a clearer idea of your benefits eligibility or how much compensation you might recover.
Time is not on your side after you’ve been hurt on a construction site. Do not hesitate to contact our skilled and understanding lawyers at Levin, Riback & Adelman by calling 312-782-6717 or sending us an email.
If you have been injured in a construction accident, you are legally entitled to claim workers’ compensation. We want you to get the full medical benefits that you need to recover and the compensation that you deserve to lessen your financial burden.
