Construction work keeps Chicago growing, but it can also be dangerous. When safety rules are ignored or companies cut corners, workers can suffer serious injuries. A Chicago construction accident attorney at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can help injured workers understand their rights and hold negligent companies accountable. Our firm has represented injured workers across Illinois for more than a century, and weāre prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call (800) 985-1819 for a free consultation.
Why choose Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates after a construction accident?
Construction accident cases can quickly become complicated. Different companies may be working on the same job site. Insurance companies often try to avoid responsibility when someone gets hurt. These situations require a careful investigation and a clear legal strategy from the start.
When you hire Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, our legal team approaches your case with the preparation and attention it deserves.
Hereās what sets our law firm apart:
- We understand how construction accidents happen and how to prove negligence on dangerous worksites.
- Our firm has secured major settlements and verdicts for injured workers throughout Illinois.
- We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing up front.
- We handle the investigation and legal filings so you can focus on healing.
- We keep you informed throughout the process so you always know whatās happening with your case.
Construction injury cases can involve workersā compensation claims, third-party lawsuits, or both. Our job is to identify every available path to compensation and build a case strong enough that insurers take it seriously.
What our clients say about working with our firm
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āMy husband (local 75 laborer) had a bad accident at work and needed pins in his shoulder. After his accident, he couldnāt work, so they let him go from the job. We made the mistake of not hiring Horwitz first. The attorney we hired didnāt do too well, and thankfully, we ended up going to Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, and it was the best thing we could have done.ā
ā Elizabeth, wife of a Local 75 laborer
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āI am very satisfied with the great deal of time and effort spent toward obtaining an adequate and very reasonable settlement. Mark Weissburg and Anna Aaker are true professionals.ā
ā Anonymous
What causes construction accidents in Chicago?
Construction sites involve heavy equipment, elevated work areas, constant movement of materials, and workers often operating close to active machinery. When safety standards arenāt followed, serious injuries can happen quickly. Some of the most common causes of construction accidents include:
- Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or rooftops
- Workers struck by falling tools or materials
- Machinery accidents involving cranes, forklifts, or loaders
- Electrical injuries and exposed wiring
- Collapses involving trenches, scaffolding, or structural components
- Unsafe work zones near road construction projects
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, four types of hazards are responsible for a large share of fatal construction injuries: falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in or -between accidents, and electrocutions. OSHA refers to these as the āFocus Fourā hazards because they are a major focus of construction safety training.
Many of these accidents occur because safety rules werenāt followed or a company cut corners to save time or money.
Who may be responsible for a construction accident?
Finding out who is responsible is one of the most important parts of a construction injury case. Unlike many workplace accidents, construction sites often involve several companies working together.
Liable parties may include:
General contractors
General contractors are responsible for maintaining safe job site conditions and coordinating subcontractors. When they fail to enforce safety procedures or ignore hazards, they may share responsibility for an accident.
Subcontractors
Construction projects often involve multiple subcontractors performing specialized work. If another companyās crew created a dangerous condition that caused your injury, that company may be liable.
Equipment manufacturers
Defective machinery, faulty scaffolding, or malfunctioning safety equipment can cause serious injuries. In those cases, manufacturers or distributors may be responsible through a product liability claim.
Property owners or developers
Property owners and developers sometimes share responsibility if they fail to maintain safe premises or allow unsafe conditions to continue on a construction site.
Government entities
When accidents occur in public construction zones or roadwork projects, city or state agencies may be partially responsible for unsafe design or traffic control failures.
Some construction injuries happen during specialized work like demolition accidents or excavation accidents, where multiple contractors may be responsible for safety conditions on the site. Our attorneys frequently pursue these types of cases as product liability law claims against negligent manufacturers.
How workersā compensation and third-party claims work
Most construction workers injured on the job are eligible for benefits through Illinois workersā compensation.
A workers’ compensation law claim may cover:
- Medical expenses related to your injury
- Partial wage replacement while you recover
- Disability benefits if injuries affect your ability to work
- Vocational rehabilitation in some cases
Workersā compensation doesnāt require proof of fault, but it also limits the types of damages available.
When a third party caused the accident, you may also have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. A third-party claim can allow recovery for additional damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of normal life
- Loss of future earning capacity
Our attorneys regularly pursue both types of claims when construction accidents involve negligence by someone other than the injured workerās employer.
What injuries are common in construction accidents?
Construction accidents can leave workers with life-changing injuries. Some people need surgery or weeks in the hospital, while others face months of physical therapy before they can return to work.
Common construction injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Severe burns or electrocution injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations
Some injuries may qualify as catastrophic injuries under Illinois law. Our firm has extensive experience handling these cases as catastrophic injury law claims when workers suffer life-altering harm.
How Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates proves negligence after a construction accident
Insurance companies often try to argue that construction work is inherently dangerous or that the worker caused the accident. Our job is to uncover the facts and show what really happened.
We may gather evidence such as:
- OSHA investigation reports
- Safety inspection records
- Jobsite incident reports
- Witness statements from coworkers
- Surveillance or site camera footage
- Expert testimony from construction safety specialists
This evidence helps establish who created the dangerous condition and why they should be held responsible.
Chicago construction accident statistics
Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5,070 workers died in job-related accidents in 2024, which means a worker died roughly every 104 minutes from a work-related injury.
Construction and extraction workers accounted for 1,032 of those fatalities, making it one of the occupations with the highest number of fatal workplace injuries.
Falls are one of the most serious risks on construction sites. Federal data show 844 workers died from falls, slips, and trips in 2024, and many of these incidents involved workers falling from significant heights. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, fall protection violations are also the most frequently cited safety violation in the construction industry.
In a large city like Chicago, where new development and infrastructure projects are constantly underway, these hazards remain a daily reality for many construction workers.
Frequently asked questions about construction accidents
How long do I have to file a construction accident claim in Illinois?
The timeline depends on the type of claim. Workersā compensation claims typically must be filed within three years of the injury, while personal injury lawsuits generally have a two-year statute of limitations.
Speaking with a construction accident attorney in Chicago as soon as possible helps protect important evidence and avoid missing important deadlines.
Can I sue my employer after a construction accident?
In most cases, Illinois workersā compensation law prevents employees from suing their employer directly. However, you may still be able to file a third-party lawsuit against other companies or contractors involved in the project.
What if I was partially at fault?
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you were less than 50% responsible for the accident, you may still recover compensation, though your recovery may be reduced based on your share of fault.
Local resources for construction accident victims in Chicago
Illinois Workersā Compensation Commission
50 W Washington St.
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 814-6500
Construction Trades Council
IBEW Local 134
2722 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
Chicago, IL 60616
Northwestern Memorial Hospital ā Emergency Department
251 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 926-2000
Rush University Medical Center ā Emergency Services
1653 W. Congress Pkwy.
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-5000
Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates ā Chicago Office
25 E. Washington St., Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60602
(800) 985-1819
Speak with a Chicago construction accident attorney today
Construction work is tough and often dangerous. When someone gets hurt because a company ignored safety rules or cut corners, that worker shouldnāt be left dealing with the consequences alone.
Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates has spent more than 100 years standing up for injured workers across Illinois. If you were hurt on a construction site, our attorneys are ready to review your case and help you understand your options.
Call (800) 985-1819 or contact us online for a free consultation with a Chicago construction accident attorney at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates.
