According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019 there were 61,000 deaths in the United States related to a traumatic brain injury. This equates to 166 traumatic brain injury fatalities on a daily basis. After an accident, injured victims should take the necessary steps to ensure their safety and look after their overall health. Additionally, the victims and their families should understand the unique challenges they may face after suffering this type of injury. 

When a brain injury is caused by another party’s negligent or illegal actions, the victim may be entitled to monetary damages. The brain injury sufferer may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages due to missed work, pain and suffering, and more. 

Construction workers are exposed to hazardous environments every day at their job. When employers and contractors do not uphold expectations to follow regulations and properly train their employees, workers are put at even greater risk of harm. When workers are not prepared to face these dangers, they may not be able to effectively recover compensation for their injuries. However, an experienced attorney can help workers to follow the necessary steps to start their recovery after a construction accident.

Immediately Seek Medical Attention

When dangerous accidents occur on a construction site, employees are vulnerable to suffering catastrophic injuries such as imputation of an appendage, broken bones, severe burns, lacerations, eye injuries, and even death. However, some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spine injuries are not accompanied by instantaneous symptoms. Therefore, it is critical for anyone involved in a construction site accident to seek medical care after the event immediately. 

Receiving prompt treatment for wounds can accelerate the recovery period. Additionally, medical records and doctor testimony can provide ample evidence for a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit if necessary. 

When you picture the typical car accident, you may envision a collision between two vehicles. However, there are also many accidents in which a motor vehicle collides with a pedestrian. In Illinois, there were nearly 5,000 pedestrian accidents in 2019, and almost all of them resulted in injury or death.

Unfortunately, pedestrians are relatively defenseless, and their lives can be changed forever when they are struck by a car. However, pedestrians do have the right to use the road and to pursue compensation from negligent drivers who cause their injuries. An attorney can help you demonstrate negligence if you or a loved one has been injured.

Negligence in Pedestrian Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), serious pedestrian accidents tend to occur more frequently in urban areas and at night. However, these environmental conditions do not absolve a driver of negligence when their actions contribute to a crash.

Illinois law allows individuals who are hurt by another party’s negligent or illegal conduct to file a personal injury claim and seek monetary damages. The injured person may be able to collect compensation for the financial and non-financial harm caused by his or her injuries including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Hiring a personal injury lawyer is not a requirement for seeking compensation through a personal injury claim. However, successfully recovering damages through an injury claim is a very complicated and legally demanding process. An experienced personal injury attorney is an invaluable resource.  

Investigating Your Accident and Gathering Evidence

There are four basic elements in an injury claim. Proving each of these elements using persuasive arguments and evidence is key to getting the compensation you deserve. The elements include:

• Duty
• Breach of duty
• Injuries
• Damages

A skilled personal injury attorney who has secured favorable settlements and awards for previous clients will know what is needed to successfully demonstrate each of these elements. Personal injury lawyers are adept at finding evidence and using this evidence to strengthen the case against the defendant. An experienced personal injury attorney will also have access to various experts including accident reconstruction specialists and vocational rehabilitation professionals who can provide compelling testimony to further improve your case. The more evidence you have to support your claim, the more likely you are to successfully recover compensation.  

There is no question that construction workers have an extremely dangerous job. One out of every five worker fatalities in the United States occurs in the construction industry. Non-fatal injuries including traumatic injuries and receptive motion injuries are also common. These injuries can lead to steep costs – both financial and personal.  If you were injured or a loved one was killed during construction work, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses through a personal injury claim.

Workers Compensation Versus a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Businesses with one or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance by law. If you or your loved one’s construction accident occurred at work, you are likely entitled to compensation through workers’ compensation. However, the compensation you get through workers’ compensation may not even come close to fully compensating you for your losses. Furthermore, workers’ compensation only covers economic damages like medical bills and part of your lost income.

A personal injury lawsuit may allow you to recover your full lost wages, the damage to your earning capacity, and non-economic damages. You may be entitled to compensation for the physical pain caused by your injuries as well as the emotional and mental suffering you experienced. If your loved one died in a construction accident, you may be compensated for: