Is Construction the Most Dangerous Industry?

 Posted on March 05, 2025 in Personal Injury

Recent local news headlines have reported at least two accidents at area construction sites. On January 22nd, a worker at the Barack Obama Presidential Center construction site on the South Side of Chicago fell down a ventilation shaft, sustaining injuries. On February 25th, one worker died and another was injured at a construction site on the West Side when the crane they were working on hit a live electrical line.

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S. If you are injured in a construction accident, your employer’s workers’ compensation policy should provide benefits to cover your medical expenses and other losses. However, if a third party was responsible for your injury, you may also qualify to pursue a personal injury claim. Working with an experienced Aurora, IL construction accident lawyer who handles both types of claims can make the process easier and maximize your compensation.

What Are the Most Common Construction Accidents?

Falls are the most common kind of accidents at construction sites. Workers may trip over tools or materials and fall to the floor or fall from significant heights. Being struck by or caught in heavy construction equipment, defective tools, unguarded machinery, electrocutions, and exposure to dangerous substances are also responsible for many construction worker injuries and deaths.

Injuries can range from minor bruises and strained back muscles to brain or spinal cord injuries and death. Workers’ comp benefits should be paid regardless of why a construction accident happened, but these claims do not address the intangible losses that injured victims or families suffer.

Am I Eligible for a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Claim?

Crews working for different companies are often performing their tasks side-by-side at construction sites. If you accept workers’ comp benefits, you usually cannot sue your employer. However, you might be able to file a claim against another company if their negligence caused your accident. Tool and equipment manufacturers could be liable if defective products caused your injuries.

Personal injury and wrongful death claims are usually based on proving that another party’s negligence is the direct cause of the harm you suffered. Product liability cases can be different because of strict liability rules. These claims could provide you with various damages, including:

• Medical treatment

• Full lost income, as opposed to the partial lost wages provided by workers’ comp

• Property damage

• Other expenses incurred by your accident and injuries

• Various intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, depression, losing the ability to enjoy life, and permanent disfigurement or disability

Wrongful death actions can cover funeral and burial costs, along with compensation for the family’s losses.

In some cases, you can receive workers’ comp benefits while also filing claims against a third party. After your attorney assesses your situation and investigates, we can identify all potential sources of compensation and handle all your claims.

Call a Skilled Aurora, IL Construction Accident Lawyer

It can be confusing to determine whether you can file more than one claim after a construction accident, but a knowledgeable Kane County, IL personal injury attorney from Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. can help you explore your options. Call 630-907-0909 or send an online message today to set up your free case review.