Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction workers are often placed in situations that endanger their safety. Determining which entity is responsible and legally accountable for injuries resulting from negligence in construction can be complicated. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, a Chicago construction accident lawyer can help sort out and determine the legal recourse available to you.

Why Trust Loizzi Law Offices?

When construction workers in Chicago are harmed by another person’s negligence or wrongful acts, they trust Loizzi Law Offices to pursue the compensation and accountability they deserve. We bring over 70 years of legal experience and the perspectives that come from former careers representing defendants in civil court. When we take on a case, we allocate significant time and resources to representing clients.

What sets our law firm apart is our focus on the rights and interests of the people we represent. We understand that a personal injury can lead to emotional harm and financial stress in addition to physical pain. We are aggressive in our pursuit of accountability and compassionate in our work with our clients. Trust our team of trial-ready lawyers to go the extra mile to see that you are financially restored following a construction-related accident.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in an Illinois Construction Accident?

Construction injuries often stem from OSHA’s Focus Four hazards: falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in/between events, and electrocutions. Each of these hazards often connects directly to a specific third party’s negligence. These events frequently involve negligence by third parties other than your direct employer.

• General contractor/controlling contractor: These contractors are responsible for coordinating overall site safety, enforcing OSHA rules, and addressing hazards affecting all trades.
• Subcontractors: Subcontractors can be liable when their debris, equipment, energized lines, open trenches, or unsafe practices injure workers outside their own crew.
• Property owner or developer: Owners may be responsible for dangerous site conditions or when they retain enough control over the project to influence safety and work methods.
• Equipment, tool, crane, or forklift manufacturers: These companies can be liable when a defective product, failed safety feature, or malfunctioning component contributes to a fall, crush injury, electrocution, or struck-by event.
• Third-party drivers: In road or work-zone projects, outside motorists or commercial drivers may be at fault when speeding, distraction, or unsafe maneuvers cause a collision involving workers.

What to Do Right Now

Construction sites are incredibly dangerous, and approximately 65% of construction-worker fatalities come from OSHA’s “Focus Four” hazards: falls, struck-by events, caught-in/between incidents, and electrocutions.

Illinois also recorded 101,400 non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry in 2023, many occurring on busy Chicago job sites in neighborhoods like West Loop, Bronzeville, and Avondale. Taking the right steps immediately protects your health and preserves your claim.

• Get medical care and describe every symptom, even minor pain.
• Report the injury to your employer within 45 days as required by Illinois law (Illinois General Assembly).
• Preserve evidence: take photos of the scene, tools, machinery, and hazards; keep your PPE; save witness names and phone numbers.
• Do not give recorded statements to outside insurers before speaking with counsel.
• Document lost time and expenses, and keep all hospital or clinic discharge papers.
• Call a lawyer early to protect evidence and evaluate possible third-party liability beyond your employer.

Why You Should Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction accidents can be complex and involve multiple liable parties. When you hire a construction accident lawyer, you gain the support of a knowledgeable advocate who understands construction accident laws and how to win construction accident cases.

An attorney can gather evidence to support your case before negotiating with the at-fault party for a fair settlement that reflects the full scope of the harm you endured, both physically and emotionally. If needed, your lawyer can take your claim to court to help you obtain the maximum compensation through a settlement or a favorable court verdict.

FAQs

Q: Who Is Responsible if a Contractor Has an Accident?

A: If a contractor is responsible for an accident, either that individual or the company they work for may be financially liable for any harm they cause. If the contractor has adequate insurance coverage, their carrier may cover the settlement. An underinsured contractor could be taken to court. Establishing liability following a personal injury can be more complicated than you think, which is why strong legal representation is so important.

Q: Are Construction Injuries Hard to Prove?

A: Construction injuries are not hard to prove when you work with an experienced injury lawyer. Attorneys understand the types of evidence that can hold up in court. Proving liability can require testimony, photos, medical records, and incident reports. The stronger the evidence and the better documented the injury, the better your chances for securing fair compensation.

Q: Who Pays for Contractor Mistakes?

A: The party that was negligent or engaged in wrongful acts is responsible for contractor mistakes. This could include the individual who caused the harm or the company they work for. In certain cases, a defective product could make a manufacturer liable for an injury. Construction accidents are complex and require a careful investigation of the evidence.

Q: What Are the Four Elements That Must Be Proven in a Negligence Claim?

A: A negligence claim requires proving four essential elements. First, the defendant must have owed a duty of care, meaning they had a legal obligation to act safely under the circumstances. Second, you must show a breach of that duty, such as failing to follow safety rules or ignoring a known hazard. Third, there must be causation, meaning the breach directly led to the injury. Finally, you must demonstrate damage.

Contact a Construction Accident Firm Focused on Seeing You Recover

You do not have to live with the financial consequences of someone else’s negligence or wrongful acts. When you work with Loizzi Law Offices, you benefit from our many decades of collective legal experience managing complex construction injury cases. We take the time to learn about our clients’ needs before moving forward, with a focus on maximizing the compensation our clients receive.

Don’t risk your financial future on unproven legal counsel. Our attorneys have secured large settlements and court verdicts for the people we represent. We can do the same for you. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward securing the justice and compensation that you are owed.