Crane Injury Lawyer in Chicago

Helping Illinois Crane Accident Victims Recover Maximum Compensation

Chicago crane accidents, such as cases involving broken lifts at River North construction sites or West Loop demolition projects, can lead to severe injuries or death. Our Chicago construction accident attorney team fights for maximum compensation in all construction accident cases, helping injured workers recover in comfort. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 

Why Choose IL Work Injury Lawyer

We have recovered millions in workers’ compensation benefits and personal injury settlements for over 5,000 clients, earning us a spot in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Our legal team regularly contributes to the National Law Review and is a Super Lawyers-rated firm thanks to our tireless advocacy for injured construction workers. 

As an example, we recovered $10,500,000 for Robert, who suffered catastrophic injuries when an aerial lift made contact with overhead power lines. Our law firm proved that the construction company failed to coordinate with the utility company or follow safety regulations to prevent electrical shocks. 

What Are the Most Common Causes of Accidents Involving Cranes in Illinois?

Common causes of Chicago crane accidents include:

• Failure to provide the proper training for crane operators
• Failure to follow OSHA crane safety regulations
• Improper crane setup, such as assembly on uneven ground
• Improper maintenance and equipment failure
• Lack of load calculators or improper assembly
• Crane operation during inclement weather
• Absence of a spotter or signal person
• Lack of hazard communication between construction workers
• Tower crane accidents due to utility pole contact

What Are Common Crane Accident Injuries?

Accidents involving cranes can lead to severe injuries or death. Common injuries our experienced Chicago crane accident attorneys see include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputations due to crush injuries or entanglement
• Electrical burns 
• Broken bones, fractures, and orthopedic injuries
• Internal organ damage from crushing, impact, or electrical shock
• Fatal construction injuries from falls, struck-by accidents, or crushing

What Damages Can Crane Injury Victims Recover in Illinois?

Crane operators and construction workers can file for workers’ compensation benefits. This no-fault system does not require establishing liability. 

Financial compensation recovered through workers’ compensation claims includes medical expenses, lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, and permanent disability benefits. Illinois families of deceased workers can also receive death benefits.

If there were negligent parties other than your employer, you can file a third-party liability claim. This can provide both economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of normal life
• Loss of consortium
• Funeral and burial expenses for wrongful death
• Punitive damages for gross negligence

Per the Illinois Supreme Court case Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, there is no statutory cap on non-economic damages like pain and suffering. This means that if your Chicago crane accident suit goes to trial, a jury can award any monetary amount they feel is appropriate for your injuries. 

What Is the Average Crane Accident Payout in Illinois?

The average payout is $11,457,267, with a range between $97,083 and $95,477,464. Your compensation will be determined by injury severity and permanency, ability to return to work, third-party liability, and overall financial losses. 

Example Crane Accident Cases Filed in Cook County

Robert Montagano was loading a Bedford Park trailer with steel tubing to attach to a crane. While helping to load the crane, 3,400 pounds of steel tubing rolled off the trailer and crushed him. His serious injuries included above-the-knee amputations of both legs, hypovolemic shock, and chronic pain. The plaintiff alleged that the crane operator failed to secure the load or warn Montagano to move out of the danger zone. A jury agreed and awarded him $95,477,464.00.

Rick Blaisdell, an ironworker, was at a construction site in Lisle when a steel beam fell from a crane. He suffered an open skull fracture, traumatic brain injury, ruptured spleen, and above-the-elbow amputation. The plaintiff alleged that the negligent parties allowed heavy materials to be lifted above the workers, resulting in the crane accident. A jury awarded him $20,937,743.00.

Why You Need Our Chicago Crane Accident Lawyers

Crane accidents often involve multiple liable parties, such as construction agencies, independent contractors, subcontractors, and manufacturers. Additionally, our crane accident lawyers must carefully review OSHA inspection reports, work with accident reconstructionists, and consult with medical professionals to understand your needs. We will guide you through the entire legal process and ensure your rights are protected. 

How Common Are Crane Accidents in Illinois?

Between 2011 and 2017, construction accident statistics revealed 297 total crane-related deaths nationwide, averaging 43 per year. Since the beginning of 2024, there have been 5 crane accidents reported to the Chicago OSHA office, all of them fatal. 

Where Do Crane Accidents Happen Most in Illinois?

Common locations for crane accidents include:

• Downtown Chicago high-rise projects, such as in the Loop or near Millennium Park
• Shipping and rail yards in Cook County, including Amtrak and Metra trains
• Infrastructure projects such as Chicago River bridge repairs and Dan Ryan Expressway repairs
• Manufacturing plants in Joliet, Cicero, and Bedford Park

What Laws Govern Crane Accident Claims in Illinois?

Employees injured in crane accidents may be able to pursue workers’ compensation benefits, which is a no-fault system that does not require proving any negligence (820 ILCS 305). 

However, you can also pursue a personal injury case if someone other than your employer was negligent. 

Illinois uses modified comparative negligence for personal injury lawsuits (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). This means that everyone involved in the crane accident is assigned a portion of the blame. You can sue if you are less than 50% responsible, but you will receive less than if you were entirely blameless.

It is possible to sue more than one responsible party using the Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act (740 ILCS 100/). Potential avenues for compensation include the Premises Liability Act, which holds property owners accountable for providing a safe environment for invited guests (740 ILCS 130/), and the Product Liability Act, for negligence by manufacturers (735 ILCS 5/2-21).

For fatal construction accidents, our Chicago crane accident lawyers will pursue a claim under the Wrongful Death Act, which allows family members to seek compensation for deaths caused by negligence (740 ILCS 180/). 

OSHA Cranes & Derricks in Construction 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration tightly regulates the construction industry, including crane and derrick operation. Some commonly cited standards include:

• Cranes must be erected on even ground (1926.1402). 
• Workers must follow manufacturer procedures for assembling and disassembling cranes (1926.1403).
• Cranes should regularly be inspected to identify potential issues and taken out of operation if they are found to be defective (1926.1412).
• Only trained and certified operators should use any crane (1926.1427).
• A certified operator or electrical engineer should inspect the crane to identify the minimum operating distance between the machine and any power lines (1926.1410).

How Long Do Injured Construction Workers Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?

For workers’ compensation, employees have three years from the date of the construction accident or two years from the date of the last payment from the company, whichever is later (820 ILCS 305/6). Personal injury claims have two years from the date of the accident (735 ILCS 5/13-202), or two years from the date of death (740 ILCS 180/).

Who Is Legally Liable for Crane Accidents in Illinois Construction Sites?

Our Chicago crane accident lawyers will identify all potentially liable parties to ensure that you receive the highest possible settlement. These parties can include:

• Crane operator’s employer
• General contractor construction manager
• Crane rental or leasing company
• Crane manufacturer for defective design
• Third-party rigging subcontractors
• Property owners for premises liability claims

Common Defenses in Illinois Crane Accident Cases

Insurance companies do not want to pay victims fair compensation, as this cuts into their bottom line. As such, they will use a variety of defenses to avoid accountability. Our Chicago crane accident attorneys will skillfully counter these common defenses using strong evidence.

Victim Was Outside Work Zone Without Authorization: The company will insist you were not authorized to be in the crane’s operational zone. However, surveillance footage, employment records, and witness statements can demonstrate whether you were requested to be in that work zone.

Operator Error: Companies may blame the operator, insisting that the employer wasn’t negligent. Workplace safety experts, prior OSHA violations, and safety manuals can prove that an unsafe work culture or insufficient hazard communication caused the crane accident. 

Failure to Wear PPE: This defense argues that if you were wearing PPE, you would not be hurt. In addition to reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements, medical experts can explain that even proper PPE would not have prevented serious injuries in a crane accident. 

Comparative Fault: Construction accident cases rely on Illinois’s comparative negligence laws (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). The insurance companies will attempt to blame you for the majority of the accident, but our Chicago crane accident lawyers can use expert testimony and accident scene inspections to show that another party was primarily liable. 

How to Strengthen Your Crane Accident Case

Prompt action after a workplace accident can ensure that you receive fair compensation. Follow these steps as soon as possible. 

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible and document all medical expenses. 
• Report the crane accident to your employer in writing and request a copy of the report.
• Take photos and videos of the crane, the accident scene, and any hazards.
• Gather witness contact information.
• Do not speak to insurance companies or other third parties without legal counsel. 

How Our Chicago Crane Accident Attorneys Can Help

Chicago crane accident attorneys are vital support as you navigate the legal system. We will assist you with the following tasks:

• Filing and appealing both workers’ comp and third-party liability suits.
• Working with OSHA and crane engineering experts to demonstrate unsafe work practices.
• Reviewing medical records, site inspections, OSHA violations, employment records, and surveillance footage to identify accident causes and liability.
• Evaluating your damages, including future medical expenses.
• Aggressively negotiating with insurance companies to receive a fair offer.
• If necessary, filing a claim with the Circuit Court of Cook County and representing you at trial. 

FAQs

How much does a Chicago crane accident lawyer cost?

Our construction accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay legal fees if we win your case. 

Can I sue if I was hurt by a crane on a job site?

Employees may file a workers’ comp claim. However, if there were other responsible parties than your employer, you can file personal injury claims against those parties. 

Can I file a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit?

You cannot sue your employer and also file a workers’ compensation claim, but you can sue other liable parties for the crane accident. 

Who can file wrongful death claims after a fatal crane accident?

The next of kin can file a wrongful death claim. This includes spouses, parents, children, or other family members. 

How long do crane injury cases take to settle?

Simple cases with moderate injuries can take 6-12 months, while crane accident cases with severe injuries or multiple liable parties may take between 12 and 24 months. If we must file a personal injury lawsuit, this can add up to a year to the timeline. 

Consult a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

Our personal injury attorneys have recovered millions in fair compensation for our clients, always working on a contingency fee to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. We provide statewide coverage and a proven track record of successful settlements. Contact us today for a free consultation with a work accident lawyer in Chicago.