Workers in the construction industry face a number of unique hazards on the job. Among these is the threat posed by electricity. Electrocution accidents can happen very suddenly and leave injured workers and their families facing steep medical bills and uncertainty about what to do next.
If you got hurt in an electrical accident on a Chicago construction site, turn to the team at Levin, Riback & Adelman for legal support. We have substantial experience handling construction injury claims and can explain your legal rights, determine who may be responsible, and pursue the accountability you deserve. Contact us right away to get started with a free consultation.
Electricity is a constant presence on construction sites, as it’s used to power tools, lighting, the building structure, and heavy equipment. While it’s essential to nearly every phase of a project, electricity also poses serious risks when construction companies fail to follow proper safety measures and create conditions where a single mistake can result in devastating injuries.
Electrocution is a leading cause of fatal construction accidents. Even brief contact with an energized source can cause severe harm. In many cases, these incidents happen because employers or contractors fail to fulfill their responsibility to provide a safe work environment. Some of the more common electrical hazards on construction sites include:
Careful planning, protective equipment, and compliance with OSHA safety standards can often prevent each of these hazards from harming workers. When contractors cut corners or fail to enforce safety rules, they put workers at risk of catastrophic injury or death from electrical exposure.
Electrical injuries on construction sites often occur when employers or contractors ignore safety procedures or fail to provide proper supervision. These accidents can happen in an instant but are frequently the result of preventable mistakes or carelessness. In many cases, they can be traced back to unsafe work practices or the failure to maintain a safe environment. Some examples of electrical-related construction site negligence include:
Electrical contact can cause a wide range of serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long recovery times. The severity of harm depends on the voltage, the path of the current, and the length of exposure. Even brief contact with an energized source can be life-altering or fatal. Common electrical injuries on construction sites include:
After an electrical accident on an Illinois construction site, an injured worker may have multiple options for seeking compensation. The state’s workers’ compensation system covers most employees and provides medical care, partial lost wages, disability, and death benefits. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means an injured worker is entitled to benefits even if their employer didn’t act negligently or they were partially responsible for causing their own injury. However, workers’ comp also limits recovery – for example, workers generally can’t sue their employers for pain and suffering.
In some cases, though, general contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, or other third parties may also share responsibility. Workers may file third-party injury claims if a general contractor or subcontractor’s negligence contributed to the electrical injury. In these cases, injured workers may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim in addition to a workers’ comp claim, giving them access to more comprehensive compensation.
The compensation you can pursue after a construction site electrocution accident depends on the circumstances, and especially on whether you’re filing a workers’ comp claim, a personal injury claim against a third party, or both. In general, these claims may cover:
An experienced Chicago workplace injury attorney can review the facts, identify potentially liable parties, and help you understand which claim options may apply to your case.
After an electrical injury, the actions you take next can affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation or access benefits. Act quickly and document everything possible while protecting your legal rights. Take these steps after a workplace electrical accident:
Because construction accidents can involve so many different parties, all of which are trying to limit their own legal and financial exposure, claims arising from electrical accidents can be extraordinarily difficult to handle on your own. Working with an experienced construction site injury lawyer can make the process much less overwhelming. While you focus on getting to your doctor appointments and working to heal from your injuries, your attorney will be hard at work investigating the accident and preparing your claim.
Levin, Riback & Adelman has years of experience handling workers’ compensation and third-party injury claims resulting from construction accidents. We’ll take our time to get to know you and understand your needs and concerns – our goal is to provide highly personalized legal services with care and compassion. We have relationships with medical, vocational, and industry experts, which help us prepare a case that fully reflects the extent of your losses and pursues the compensation and benefits you deserve.
You need time and space to focus on your physical recovery. Don’t get overwhelmed by the details and processes involved in pursuing your claim – let our team handle the legal legwork and keep you informed at every stage.
Were you injured in an electrical accident on a Chicago construction site? You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and, depending on the circumstances, additional compensation for your financial and personal losses. Let the team at Levin, Riback & Adelman provide the legal support you need. We have substantial experience taking workplace injury cases to court and getting results for our clients. In the last decade alone, we’ve secured over $200 million in compensation for injured people.
The Chicago construction accident attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman are just a quick phone call or online message away. Contact us today to discuss your case for free and learn more about your legal options after an electrical injury accident.
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.
