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Injuries Related to Construction Work

Construction sites are filled with risks to workers and nearby pedestrians. Thousands of serious injuries occur every year at and around construction sites. Reuland Law represents people injured or killed because of careless construction and unsafe worksites.  This webpage helps people learn about some common types of cases we handle related to construction work, some of the common injuries that occur, and some ways that construction companies and workers can keep people safe. If you have any questions or believe you might have a serious injury related to construction work, we offer a free and confidential consultation.

Types of Cases

Construction workers face daily dangers on the job. In Illinois, Workers’ Compensation laws often cover injuries to employees while in the scope of their construction job. Workers’ Compensation is a particular area of the law that overlaps with general personal injury law. Reuland Law helps clients secure strong advocacy to protect your claim if you were injured on the job.

 

Sometimes construction workers themselves make mistakes and negligently injury other people who are not on the crew. For example, leaving construction debris out on a sidewalk can cause someone to fall and sustain injuries. A failure to secure scaffolding might cause materials to fall on someone.  Or a worker might lose control of heavy machinery and injure someone passing by. Reuland Law handles cases that involve construction related injuries that occur to people who are not working for the construction company.

 

Finally, a common type of construction injury occurs when products are defective. Defective products, especially in the field of construction, can cause devastating injuries for people. The manufacturer or seller of the defective product could be liable for their mistakes. Products liability laws in Illinois are complex, and it’s important to work with a lawyer who knows how the laws can best help people who are injured by defective products and equipment on construction sites.

Common Injuries

Crushing and Impact Injuries: Improper use of equipment and poor communication can lead to workers or nearby pedestrians being struck and even crushed. Construction materials like concrete facades, for instance, can fall from heights and cause serious injuries to unsuspecting people nearby. Equipment, like heavy equipment and vehicles used on the construction site, can strike pedestrians when the construction site fails to maintain safe practices. 

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Falls and Slips: Falling and slipping are among the most common workplace injuries. These accidents can occur due to uneven surfaces, cluttered walkways, improper flooring, or lack of proper safety measures. Proper safety gear, such as safety harnesses when someone is working high off the ground or ground surfaces with appropriate friction coefficients, can help reduce these injuries. When a company fails to adopt these safeguards or when the equipment fails, catastrophic injuries can occur. 

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Musculoskeletal Injuries: Some work involves repetitive motions, heavy lifting, or equipment that can harm workers if adequate safety mechanisms are not present. Musculoskeletal injuries impact tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints. Pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility can result and, in severe cases, might become permanent.

 

Electrical Hazards: Construction often involves electrical work that, when carried out improperly or without the appropriate equipment, can lead to life-threatening personal injuries.  Incidents can cause burns, electrocution, or other serious injuries.

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Construction Signs

Construction Injuries Are Preventable

Reuland Law knows through years of experience that safe workplaces can eliminate the risks that people face in and around construction sites. Sometimes employers, contractors, and third-parties can be liable for injuries. Some ways to be sure that people are kept safe include:  

  • Provide proper training on workplace safety, procedures, and equipment;

  • Apply the training, policies or procedures in real-world scenarios every day;

  • Provide good supervision;

  • Warn people about worksite dangers, especially if they are unfamiliar with the construction industry and what dangers it poses;

  • Always use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), like helmets, gloves, safety glasses, or earplugs;

  • Secure a construction site and separate it from where pedestrians travel;

  • Safely store, maintain and secure the equipment on construction sites;

  • Develop and implement strong safety protocols;

  • Look for dangerous conditions, find them, and fix them.

 

This webpage is only an introduction to the dangers that construction sites pose to workers and nearby pedestrians. Reuland Law can speak with you today during a free and confidential consultation to evaluate whether you or your loved one might have a case related to a construction accident. One call to the law office of Tom Reuland can help. If you’d like to learn more, please contact us.

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