Common Construction Site Injuries

Construction sites throughout Illinois feature an increased risk of serious injuries to workers, contractors, and even passersby. This industry is uniquely dangerous, which is why employers and site supervisors must adhere to strict safety procedures to keep everyone out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, accidents can lead to common construction site injuries.

If you get hurt on a construction site in Illinois, you could hold the at-fault party accountable and seek compensation for your losses. A Chicago construction accident lawyer from our team can help you navigate workers’ compensation claims or third-party injury lawsuits. 

What Are the Most Common Causes of Construction Accidents?

Numerous hazards exist in many construction zones across the state. Heavy machinery, elevated work areas, loose debris, electrical exposure, and moving vehicles can all contribute to the dangers present on a project. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has designated the most common accident causes as the “Fatal Four.” These frequent issues include falls, struck-by accidents, caught-between accidents, and electrocutions. 

Falls from Heights

A fall is one of the most common types of construction site accidents. More severe injuries tend to occur when workers fall from significant heights, such as from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs. Employers are required to enforce safety regulations that prevent incidents involving falls. If they choose to cut corners instead, it could increase the risk of a worker getting hurt. 

Here are some Occupational Safety and Health Administration codes related to preventing falls:

• 1926.451(a)(1) – Scaffolding must be designed to support its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load
• 1926.1053(a)(2) – All ladder steps, cleats, and rungs must be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when in use
• 1926.501(b)(11) – Workers on roofs with edges at least 6 feet above lower levels must be protected from falls with guardrail systems, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems

Nonfatal falls in construction accidents often lead to spinal cord damage, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries. 

Struck-By Object

Getting struck by an object could happen because of a falling object, a moving vehicle, or a mobile piece of equipment. Struck-by accidents are fairly common in these work environments, especially if other workers are not paying attention or safety professionals have not done their jobs. 

Some OSHA regulations that can protect construction workers from falling objects and moving vehicles include:

• 1926.100(a) – All workers in areas where there is a danger of falling or moving objects must wear head protection
• 1926.250(a)(3) – All aisles and passageways must be kept clear for the free movement of vehicles and employees
• 1926.252(a) – All materials dropped over 20 feet outside a building must use an enclosed chute 

Falling tools and other objects often cause eye injuries. 

Electrocution Accidents

Another type of construction accident that can have devastating effects is electrocution. Electrocution may be caused by contact with power lines or improperly grounded equipment. Every construction site should have ample warnings and systems in place to promote safety from electrocution during the project. 

Here are some OSHA standards that apply to preventing electrocution accidents involving construction workers:

• 1910.137(c)(1) – Personal protective equipment for electrical safety must be properly maintained
• 1910.137(c)(2)(viii) – Electrical protective equipment must be periodically tested

Electrocution injuries that often affect workers in the construction industry include burns, nerve damage, and cardiac arrest. 

Caught-Between Accidents

Getting caught between objects can cause very severe injuries, such as crushed limbs, amputations, and fractures. These incidents often involve collapsed trenches or workers being pinned between heavy equipment and structures. Here are some OSHA codes that address the dangers of getting pinned or caught between objects:

• 1926.552(b)(2)(ii) – All gates or bars protecting entrances to hoistways must have a latching mechanism
• 1926.601(b)(1) – All motor vehicles must have a service brake system, an emergency brake system, and a parking brake system
• 1926.651(e) – No employees shall be permitted underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment

Repetitive Motion and Overexertion 

Repetitive stress injuries are very common among construction workers. You may face chronic pain due to years of overexertion, but you could also suffer a significant one-time injury to your back, arms, or legs. Repetitive tool use can also do damage to your body. Repetitive motion and overexertion injuries are common in the back, shoulder, arms, and joints. 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has developed a mathematical model for predicting injury risk based on manual lifting. This formula can be used to assess the risks to certain construction workers. 

Machinery and Heavy Equipment Accidents

Construction sites use many types of machinery and heavy equipment. Forklifts, cranes, and bulldozers are frequently seen in project zones, but these vehicles can cause dangerous construction accidents that can lead to fatal construction injuries. Defective or poorly maintained construction equipment is commonly cited as a cause of struck-by incidents and other concerns.

Let’s examine a few regulations meant to promote workplace safety related to heavy machinery:

• 1917.43(b)(2) – Unauthorized personnel shall not ride on powered industrial trucks (forklifts)
• 1926.1402(c)(1) – The controlling entity of a project site must ensure that all grounds are sufficiently prepared for the use of machinery like cranes
• 1926.600(a)(3)(ii) – Whenever equipment is parked, a parking brake must be applied, and machines parked on an incline must also have the wheels chocked

If employers, contractors, or employees ignore these regulations, the result could be severe lacerations, amputations, and crush injuries.

Exposure to Harmful Substances

One of the hidden dangers of the construction industry is exposure to toxic materials. This is a major issue during the demolition phase of a project. Many construction workers face exposure to asbestos, silica dust, and welding fumes on a regular basis. These risks can cause long-term illnesses, such as lung disease or cancer.

Preventing chemical hazards is one of the primary roles of a site supervisor, employer, or general contractor. OSHA safety protocols that address these concerns include the following:

• 1910.1000 Table Z-1 – This table lists toxic substances, as well as limitations on exposure to certain chemicals, including acetone, arsenic, benzene, glycerin, iodine, marble, and octane
• 1926.55(a) – Employers must limit the exposure of their workers to certain substances based on the safe limits within Table Z-1

What Compensation Options Do Injured Construction Workers Have in Illinois?

There are two legal options for workers who are hurt on construction sites in Illinois: a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party injury lawsuit. It is extremely important to understand the differences so you can choose the best option for your situation. Let’s look at these two legal actions in greater detail.

Workers’ Compensation for Construction Accidents

If you are an employee and get hurt on the job, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. If successful, you could receive benefits like medical expenses, lost wages, disability benefits, and vocational rehabilitation. However, there are limits placed on these benefits, and although fault is irrelevant in most cases, the injury must have taken place in the course of your regular duties. 

There are no non-economic damages in this type of claim, so you cannot receive a settlement for emotional distress or pain and suffering. 

Third-Party Construction Injury Lawsuits

If your incident was caused by a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, you could sue the at-fault party for negligence in a personal injury claim. Workers can simultaneously file for compensation through their employer and a settlement from the negligent party if they can provide sufficient evidence of wrongdoing. 

Types of legal damages you could receive compensation for in an injury lawsuit include lost income, diminished earning capacity, medical expenses (past and future), emotional distress, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of quality of life. 

For example, if your non-fatal injuries were caused by defective scaffolding, you could seek a workers’ compensation claim to address your lost income and medical bills. Additionally, you may have the option to sue the scaffolding manufacturer for designing a defective product and creating potential hazards on a construction site. 

How IL Work Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you have been seriously injured on an Illinois construction site, our law firm can provide expert legal guidance during the claims process. Whether you were hurt due to repetitive work with power tools, a failure to enforce safety procedures, a lack of safety glasses, or the presence of slippery surfaces, attorneys from IL Work Injury Lawyer can immediately investigate the accident to determine the cause. 

We know what it takes to secure physical evidence, such as defective safety harnesses or surveillance footage of trench collapses. Our team can also speak to witnesses and take recorded statements to support your claim. 

Lastly, our lawyers know what tactics employers and insurance companies will use to undermine your claim. We will fight for the settlement you deserve to ensure your financial future is secure after a construction site injury. 

Secure Expert Legal Counsel

Understanding the potential risks on construction sites is part of the job. However, you could get hurt if someone else is behaving negligently or ignoring safety protocols. These job sites can be dangerous for workers due to exposed power lines, heavy machinery, and other potential hazards. 

At our Chicago-based work injury law firm, we can represent clients from across Illinois who have been injured on construction job sites. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we secure a positive outcome. Additionally, you can ask questions about your severe case during a free consultation.

Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation so we can discuss the leading cause of your serious injuries.