Category: Workplace Injuries

Illinois law requires the majority of employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Workers’ compensation pays medical costs and lost wage expenses for workers who are injured on the job. These benefits are available only to employees who are injured while at work—independent contractors are not covered. The following factors determine employment status in Illinois:

• Workers hired on a permanent basis are usually considered employees. Any expectation of indefinite employment generally implies an employer/employee relationship.
• Employees are usually paid on a set payment schedule—weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Independent contractors are commonly paid once a job has been completed.
• Employees generally receive employment benefits such as medical insurance, vacation time, and sick time. Independent contractors must provide their own benefits.
• Employers usually provide any equipment that employees need to do their jobs such as office supplies, computer hardware and software, and tools. Independent contractors are often required to use their own funds to pay for these items.

If you have been injured at work and have been denied workers’ compensation benefits, a Chicago workplace injury attorney at Lane Brown may be able to help. Our personal injury attorneys will take the time to understand your situation, answer all of your questions, and help you understand your legal rights. Our attorneys have over 130 years of combined legal experience and will put that expertise to work to help you obtain the benefits you are due. Contact our office today at 312-332-1400 to arrange a free case consultation concerning your Chicago workplace accident.

 

 

Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplace environments in America today. Workers are at risk of experiencing catastrophic injuries, illnesses, disability, or even death from hazardous circumstances and environmental factors on a daily basis. All too often, these construction site injuries occur with little warning.

Several risk factors contribute to construction site accidents and injuries including the following:

• A wide array of work activities occurring simultaneously
• High turnover rates of site workers
• Many unskilled laborers performing dangerous tasks
• Constantly changing job site environments and conditions
• Bystander exposure where pedestrians and other site workers are exposed to health hazards related to the work of others nearby
• Constantly changing relationships with other work groups

The environmental and social changes within a construction site can cause inconsistencies in work habits, relationships, and continuity of how teams work together. Any combination of these factors can greatly increase the risk of a Chicago construction site accident.

When these injuries occur, there may be many questions surrounding a victim’s legal rights, at-fault parties, and liability concerns.  Finding the best lawyer to advise you is a great place to start.

A qualified Chicago personal injury lawyer at Lane Brown can answer your questions, examine the facts surrounding your accident, and help you to understand your legal options. Our attorneys will aggressively fight to get you the justice you deserve. Give us a call today at 312-332-1400 to arrange your free case evaluation with an experienced construction accident attorney.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 2.3 million U.S. construction workers work on scaffolding every day. Of those workers, nearly 4500 are injured on scaffolding every year. In order to reduce the number of construction workers who are severely injured on scaffolding, OSHA has compiled the following scaffolding safety recommendations:

• Scaffolding should be solidly constructed, rigid, and able to support its’ own weight, plus four times the maximum intended load limit, without settling or displacement.
• Unstable objects including barrels, boxes, and bricks should not be used to support the scaffolds or planks.
• Scaffolding should be set up, dismantled, and moved under the direct supervision of a competent and trained individual.
• Scaffolding should include guardrails, mid-rails, and toe-boards.
• Scaffolding should be inspected regularly—repairs should be made as quickly as possible.
• Rigging on suspension scaffolds should be inspected at the start of every work shift to ensure structural integrity.
• Rope used in suspension scaffolding should be protected from heat sources.
• Scaffolds should be kept at least ten feet away from power lines.

 

If you were injured in a Chicago construction site accident, an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney at Lane Brown can help. Whether you are having trouble obtaining the workers’ compensation benefits you are due or wonder if a third party might be liable for your injuries, we are here for you. Our skilled attorneys will review your case, answer your questions, and help you to understand your legal options. Contact us today at 312-332-1400 to schedule your free consultation. We will fight for the compensation you deserve.

Nearly every day, stories of distracted drivers injuring themselves or others appear in the news. Sometimes, these injuries are minor—damaging cars and leaving victims with minor scratches. Other times, individuals are left in serious condition in local hospitals—if they are lucky enough to survive.

Unfortunately, distracted drivers are only one of the serious concerns that road construction site workers must be aware of while on the job.

Whether other motorists, other construction site workers, or machinery causes the injuries, the damage can sometimes be life altering.  A few common road construction injuries include:

• Head injuries and brain damage
• Spinal injuries including paralysis and crushed vertebrae
• Broken bones
• Amputations from crushed or severed limbs
• Neck and back injuries
• Death

 

Any one of these injuries, and the countless others, could end a career in construction in an instant. In order to help prevent road construction injuries, workers should do the following:

• Pay attention and look for blind spots. With multiple pieces of construction equipment parked close together, visibility is reduced, increasing the likelihood of rollover or backover accidents.
• Wear proper work attire including high visibility articles such as vests, jackets, and helmets with reflective stripes.
• Follow “safe-flagging” procedures including right set-up, right spacing, right practices, and right attire.
• Stay alert for unsafe working conditions such as uneven surfaces, congested traffic zones, and other worker’s behaviors.

 

Taking extra care on the job can help prevent many road construction accidents. However, if you are injured in an Illinois road construction site accident due to the carelessness or negligence of another, be sure to seek the legal counsel of an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney at Lane Brown. Our nationally recognized workplace injury lawyers will make it a priority to fight for your rights and ensure justice is served. Contact us today at 312-332-1400 to schedule a free consultation.

Construction workers have demanding and dangerous jobs. They work out in all kinds of weather and under many unsafe conditions. Construction site accidents are often very serious and can change the life of a worker forever. These accidents can cause physical pain, emotional stress, astronomical medical bills, and lost wages. In addition, construction site accidents can leave a worker with serious long-term medical problems. At the end of the day, it is up to the construction company to ensure safety on the job site.  However, workers can protect themselves by following these six tips:

• Wear recommended protective gear including hard hats, steel-toed boots, work goggles, protective work gloves, and appropriate attire.
• Keep floors cleared of debris and rubble when possible, to guard against trips and slips on the construction site.
• Follow all recommended Illinois health and safety regulations for construction sites.
• Check your equipment before using it to ensure it is in proper working order.
• Report any safety concerns to your site manager.
• Use ladders only when necessary—be sure there is little risk of injury before climbing.

 

Following the tips listed above may help to reduce your chance of being injured at a Chicago construction site. If you have been seriously injured at work—on a construction site or somewhere else—a Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer at Lane Brown can help. Whether your workers’ compensation claim has been denied or you think a third party may be liable for your injuries, our compassionate and experienced attorneys can help.  Contact a Chicago construction accident attorney today at 312-332-1400 for a free case evaluation. We will help you to obtain the compensation you deserve.