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Chicago Scaffolding Accident Lawyer

Many Chicago employees require scaffolding to perform their jobs. However, these structures can collapse, causing serious accidents and severe injuries to employees aboard them. If you are in a Chicago scaffolding accident, contact the attorneys at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC. Our lawyers bring decades of experience to our clients and will leverage our resources, experience, and skills to secure the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (312) 586-1700.

Why Choose Us

  • Our attorneys are dedicated to achieving the maximum possible recovery for our clients. We have secured over $400 million in settlements and jury verdicts.
  • We believe in open and honest communication throughout the case process. Our firm will be available to answer your questions and inform you of important case updates.
  • Our attorneys will examine your case and explain each of your legal options, helping you identify the optimal path to compensation.

Common Types of Scaffolds on Chicago Construction Sites

There are various types of scaffolding used throughout Chicago at construction sites, many of which you look at every day as you go through the city. Some of the most common types of scaffolding used within the city include the following:

  1. Supported scaffolds. Commonly seen in Chicago’s urban construction, these consist of one or more platforms supported by solid, load-bearing members such as poles, legs, frames, or outriggers.
  2. Suspended scaffolds. Frequently used for high-rise projects in downtown Chicago, these scaffolds are platforms suspended by ropes or other non-rigid means from an overhead structure.
  3. Rolling scaffolds (mobile scaffolds). Often spotted in both indoor and outdoor construction sites around Chicago, these are supported scaffolds mounted on wheels or casters, allowing for easy movement and repositioning.
  4. Tube and coupler scaffolds. Versatile and strong, these are constructed by connecting tubes with coupling devices and are used in various Chicago construction projects for their adaptability to different heights and structures.
  5. Mast climbing scaffolds. Increasingly popular in Chicago’s urban development, these are platforms mounted on or attached to a central mast and used to carry heavier loads, suitable for tall buildings and skyscraper construction.
  6. Pump jack scaffolds. Common in residential and small-scale commercial projects in Chicago, these consist of platforms supported by vertical poles and movable brackets, ideal for tasks like painting and siding.

This is certainly not a complete list of all types of scaffolding used in Chicago and the surrounding areas, but one thing everyone in the city knows – there will always be scaffolding, as the construction never stops.

Common Causes of Scaffolding Accidents

Scaffolding accidents may occur for a number of reasons, from improper construction to machinery defects. Some of the most common contributing factors include:

  • Scaffolding defects, such as poor design or manufacturing
  • Improper scaffolding construction
  • Inadequate employee training
  • Improper or weak planking, which helps support the scaffold
  • Poor access to safety equipment
  • Inadequate maintenance or outdated scaffolding
  • Untrained, negligent, or inexperienced coworkers or contractors
  • Hazardous conditions such as inclement weather
  • Employer violations of scaffolding safety standards

Common Scaffold Accident Injuries

Unfortunately, scaffolding accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, often severe. The very nature of these types of incidents means that victims often fall from heights of more than 10 feet, leading to more severe injuries than a typical fall. Some of the most common scaffolding accident injuries workers sustained in Chicago include the following:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (including concussions)
  • Spinal cord injuries, which can include paralysis
  • Other severe neck or back injuries
  • Crush injuries
  • Fractured or dislocated bones
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Major lacerations or puncture wounds
  • Significant scoring and disfigurement

Common Scaffold Accident Injuries

Unfortunately, scaffolding accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, often severe. The very nature of these types of incidents means that victims often fall from heights of more than 10 feet, leading to more severe injuries than a typical fall. Some of the most common scaffolding accident injuries workers sustained in Chicago include the following:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (including concussions)
  • Spinal cord injuries, which can include paralysis
  • Other severe neck or back injuries
  • Crush injuries
  • Fractured or dislocated bones
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Major lacerations or puncture wounds
  • Significant scoring and disfigurement

Filing an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Claim

If you sustain an injury in a scaffolding accident while on the job, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim, regardless of fault. To recover this compensation, you will need to prove that the accident occurred while you were at work. You will also need to prove that your case did not involve self-inflicted injuries, criminal violations, or breaches of company policy.

Through a workers’ compensation claim, you can receive compensation for the following benefits:

  • All past and future medical expenses related to your injuries
  • Short-term temporary disability benefits if you are unable to work or perform your previous position while recovering from your injuries
  • Long-term disability benefits if you are unable to return to your same position or sustain a permanent loss of function after you reach maximum medical improvement
  • Death benefits and burial expenses if you lost a loved one to a scaffolding accident

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Scaffold Accident in Chicago?

Some of the possible parties that could be held liable for a scaffolding accident in Chicago include the following:

  1. Construction company owners. They are often held responsible due to their duty to ensure a working environment free from known hazards, including the proper installation and maintenance of scaffolding. Neglecting these responsibilities can lead to accidents, making them liable.
  2. Scaffolding manufacturers. If a scaffold accident occurs due to defective design or manufacturing flaws in the scaffolding equipment, the manufacturer could hold some or all responsibility under product liability laws.
  3. Contractors and subcontractors. Contractors and subcontractors responsible for the day-to-day oversight of construction sites can be held liable if their failure to adhere to safety protocols or negligence in supervising work leads to an accident.
  4. Property owners or developers. In certain cases, property owners or developers may be liable for scaffold accidents, especially if they have control over the work being performed and fail to ensure the safety of the construction site.
  5. Equipment rental companies. If the scaffolding was rented, the rental company could be held liable for providing faulty or poorly maintained equipment that contributed to the accident.
  6. Site engineers and architects. They may be held liable if the scaffold accident resulted from inadequate planning, design errors, or failure to consider safety measures in the construction blueprint.

Every scaffolding accident claim is different, and your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to determine which party or parties could be held liable. There may be others aside from the ones we mentioned on this list, and a claim may involve more than one party.

Filing a Lawsuit in Civil Court

After a scaffolding accident occurs in Chicago, individuals often think their only recourse is recovering workers’ compensation benefits. Yes, while workers’ comp will likely provide compensation after a scaffolding on-the-job accident, injury victims may also be able to file a civil personal injury lawsuit against an alleged negligent party. Usually, individuals who receive workers’ compensation benefits are prohibited from filing personal injury lawsuits against an employer or a coworker, but there may be various circumstances that do allow for a third-party lawsuit in civil court, even against the employer.

Usually, if a third party was involved with or responsible for a workplace injury, the injured worker can file a personal injury lawsuit against the third party. The injured worker may also be able to file a lawsuit against an employer if the intentional or grossly negligent actions of the employer led to the scaffolding injury.

We encourage you to let your attorney handle every aspect of the lawsuit process. Your scaffolding accident lawyer in Chicago will likely tell you all of the options available to you, including recovering workers’ compensation benefits as well as possibly filing a lawsuit in civil court against a third party or your employer.

Time Limit for Filing a Lawsuit

If filing a personal injury lawsuit against an alleged negligent party is an option, you should file the claim as soon as possible. In Chicago, individuals will have two years from the date an injury occurs to file a lawsuit against the other party involved. Failing to file a lawsuit within this specific personal injury statute of limitations will likely result in the claim getting dismissed, leaving the injury victim unable to recover any compensation.

Keep in mind that there are certainly other deadlines in place for a scaffolding accident in Chicago. This includes much shorter deadlines for any workers’ compensation claims involved in the particular incident. Additionally, any insurance carrier involved in the case will have its own reporting deadlines that can be rather vague. Let your attorney delve into all possible deadlines that could affect your case and proceed forward.

Why You Need a Chicago Scaffolding Accident Lawyer

While you may be eligible for workers’ comp benefits, your employer may deny all or a portion of your award. If you are suffering from a severe injury that requires permanent care, this denial could put you at risk of long-term financial hardship and additional complications later on. In these situations, you need a workers’ compensation attorney to represent your claim.

A lawyer can provide several benefits to your case, including:

  • The ability to represent you during negotiations with your employer
  • Knowledge of the benefits you may qualify for and the ability to calculate an estimated settlement
  • Experience handling cases similar to yours and the ability to complete all paperwork in an efficient, accurate, and timely manner
  • The ability to craft a compelling and comprehensive case for your right to maximum recovery

Contact a Chicago Scaffolding Accident Attorney

If you are in a Chicago scaffolding accident, you may be eligible for a workers’ compensation claim. In these situations, trust the Chicago work injury lawyers at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC to represent your case. Our attorneys will advocate aggressively for your right to benefits, helping secure the outcome you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and discuss your optimal path to recovery.