The construction industry is vital to our economy and touches every aspect of our lives, yet it is also one of the most dangerous industries one can work in. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls and scaffolding accidents, machinery, and inappropriate communication are among the most common causes of injuries at construction sites.

Construction accidents can be devastating, causing serious injuries and even fatalities. Of the 4,674 fatal workplace accidents occurring in US private industry in 2017, 971 were in construction. Even though construction accounts for only 4% of total workers, OSHA notes that over 20% of all work-related deaths occur in the construction industry. That means that more than one in five worker deaths occurred in construction.

Construction accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, varying in severity. Some common types of construction accident injuries include:

Falls and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or elevated platforms can cause severe head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. Moreover, there are often slippery surfaces that can cause slip and falls.

Electrical Injuries
Electrical accidents can occur when workers come into contact with live wires or faulty electrical equipment. Until construction is complete, there are often exposed wires, unfinished electrical systems, and downed power lines.

Getting caught in equipment or machinery
These accidents occur when a worker is caught between two or more objects.

Being struck by an object
This is another common cause of fatal work injuries: the worker is struck by something and killed because of it. A vehicle, machine, or falling object can hit them.

Developers and contractors are legally obligated to ensure that their construction sites are safe and that workers are trained with properly functioning safety equipment. However, even if workers and employers follow all the safety requirements and protocols, accidents can still happen.

If you have been injured in an accident on a construction work site in Illinois, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. At Krol, Bongiorno & Given, we can assist you in getting the maximum recovery for your lost wages, medical bills, and other related costs resulting from your Illinois construction accident. For immediate help with a work injury case, call (312) 726-5567 for a free consultation or contact us online.