The Port of Chicago, operated by the Illinois International Port District, handles more than 19 million tons of general cargo each year. It is the busiest port on the Great Lakes, and among the most active ports in the nation. With so much cargo to handle, accidents can, and often do, happen. If you or a loved one was injured on the port or harbor, the Chicago port injury lawyers at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates have the experience to maximize your claim.
The Risk of Harbor & Port Work in Chicago
Work at the port involves many of the high-risk factors associated with construction work. It also has hazards that are unique to this industry. Added to this is the reality that the port is constantly in motion, with cargo arriving and being loaded and unloaded continuously, and an ongoing need for the work to stay on schedule.
These conditions are ripe for situations where some aspect of worker safety guidelines and procedures can be neglected, resulting in injuries that can have long-term impacts on workers. If you or a loved one has been injured in a port accident, the Chicago maritime injury attorneys at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can assist you to pursue fair and full compensation for what occurred.
Hazards at Ports
Any number of factors can contribute to unsafe working conditions at a port. From the materials being handled and equipment used to move them to the strain of over-long periods of demanding physical labor. Some examples:
- Hazardous Materials – Workers can be exposed to dust, toxic or poisonous cargo, gas formed by decomposition or bacterial action in cargo, vehicle emissions, etc.
- Weather – Cold or hot weather, or wet and icy surfaces, can have a significant impact on a worker’s ability to do their job. Tidal motion can cause collisions with equipment and make access to a vessel difficult.
- Falls from height – These can occur during construction work, securing loads, working on board a ship, etc.
- Vehicle accidents – Being struck by trucks, cars, forklifts, cranes or other heavy-duty vehicles.
- Exhaustion – This can result from over-long hours, demand for a fast turnaround, lack of job rotation, etc.
As in any situation, the greater the potential risk, the more need for attention to all aspects of worker safety. If your injury was caused because safety standards were neglected in some way, you should be compensated.
After an Injury Accident at Chicago Harbor
The normal patterns of life can be severely disrupted after sustaining an injury. It can take all of your energy and attention just to make it through the day.
However, if your injury is the result of negligence, do not wait too long. Get legal representation you can trust. The decisions that you make can affect the rest of your life, and the lives of those you love. At such a time, you need experienced legal counsel.
For decades, the injury attorneys at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates have helped hardworking men and women in Illinois succeed in seeking full compensation in injury cases of all types, including injuries sustained while working at the harbor. To date, they have secured more than $1 billion in settlements and jury verdicts.
Your Rights
It’s vital that you understand your legal rights. It is also crucial you have a clear picture of the extent of the compensation that you have a right to seek. This insight is available to you at no cost, through a consultation with members of our team. We can provide such a consultation by phone, or through the “Live Chat” feature on this website.
You may have been told you don’t have a case or advised to accept an unfair settlement. We have helped many people who have been given such advice achieve very high-value compensation in settlements and jury awards. Our team secured what was the highest personal injury jury award recorded in Illinois history.
If you decide that you want our help, contact us. We will use all our resources to investigate, document and pursue your claim. You’ll never be asked to pay until we have settled your case.
Help for Chicago Port Workers
The Chicago harbor injury attorneys at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates are experienced, professional, and personally dedicated to their clients. Call us today for a free case consultation about an injury sustained at Chicago Harbor. Free case evaluation.
