Did you or a loved one sustain injuries in a construction site accident in Peoria, IL? Recovering full compensation can be more challenging than you might initially think. An experienced Peoria construction accident lawyer can handle the legal issues while you rest and recover.
Our Joel E. Brown, P.C. team is led by an attorney with over 30 years of experience handling personal injury claims. Over the years, he’s won millions of dollars on behalf of injury victims and their families.
You may be entitled to significant medical expenses and wage replacement benefits. Under Illinois personal injury laws, you may also have the right to seek additional compensation. To learn more about how we can help, call our law firm at (309) 673-4357 for a free consultation today.
How Joel E. Brown, P.C. Can Help You With Your Construction Accident Claim in Peoria
Even a minor mistake can quickly turn your life upside down if you work in construction in Peoria, Illinois. Fortunately, we have a no-fault system to quickly help you get money in your pocket. However, getting compensation isn’t as straightforward as it should be. Even the workers’ compensation insurance company is out to make a profit.
Our experienced Peoria personal injury attorney can help. At Joel E. Brown, P.C., we know that a construction injury can have a huge impact on your life.
We’re prepared to use our skills to your advantage by:
- Investigating and evaluating evidence to prove the cause of your injuries
- Identifying all sources of compensation
- Dealing with the paperwork and insurance requests
- Helping you get an independent medical evaluation
- Determining how much money you deserve
- Negotiating with the insurance companies for a full settlement
Don’t count on the insurance company to provide the full amount you deserve. Call a Peoria workers’ compensation lawyer and get the legal representation you need today. We offer a free consultation.
How Common Are Construction Accidents in Illinois?
According to statistics published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were about 2.4 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2023, matching the national average. Overall, 101,400 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported.
Unfortunately, construction is more dangerous than many other industries. 177 fatal workplace accidents were reported statewide in 2022. 27 of those fatalities were in the construction industry–making it the second-deadliest industry in Illinois that year.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After a Construction Accident in Illinois?
Most injured construction employees start off by filing a workers’ compensation claim. While you don’t have to prove who was liable, you do have to establish two basic elements under Illinois state law.
They are:
- You were employed by a business in the state of Illinois.
- Your injury occurred because of something work-related or “in the course of employment.”
Workers’ compensation offers important assistance. Nonetheless, it might not cover all of your costs. Depending on the identity of the at-fault party, you may also be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Employers in Illinois are shielded from personal injury lawsuits based on workplace accidents. Third parties don’t enjoy similar protection.
For example, if you were hurt because a negligent driver caused a car accident, you can sue for damages. If a subcontractor entered your employer’s worksite and failed to maintain work equipment safely, they could be responsible for any resulting damage.
What Is My Peoria Construction Accident Case Worth?
The value of your injury claim depends primarily on:
- How severely you were injured
- Your average wages prior to the injury
- How much you can earn with a disability
- Your medical costs
- Who caused the accident
- Your earning capacity after reaching maximum medical improvement
Workers’ compensation provides a weekly wage replacement check if you lose earnings due to the injury. The amount is subject to a cap under state law. For the first half of 2025, the amount is $1,936.86 if you’re completely unable to work during your recovery.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims in Peoria?
Workers’ comp benefits are available to help offset the financial losses you suffer due to a workplace injury. Your specific benefits will depend on the nature of your injuries.
Available benefits include:
- Medical expense coverage
- Temporary total disability (TTD) if you can’t work during recovery
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits if your earnings are reduced due to the disability
- Permanent total disability (PTD) if you’re completely unable to work again or if you lose the use of two body parts
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) if your injuries remain impaired once you reach MMI
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits to help you find a new line of work
- Death benefits for surviving dependents
Damages in personal injury cases extend further. If your case is successful, you can recover both your economic damages and non-economic damages.
Examples include:
- All of your lost earnings and lost earning capacity
- Medical bills and rehab
- Property damage
- Counseling and therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Depression
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may also be available. If a jury finds the defendant’s acts were intentional or demonstrated a clear indifference to your safety, they can award punitive damages as punishment.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Illinois?
We work on a contingency fee basis. We’re confident we can win compensation in your case, so you only pay once we have won a settlement or verdict. You’ll agree to pay a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t manage to recover compensation for you, you won’t owe us anything.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for Causing a Construction Accident in Illinois?
Yes, you can receive workers’ comp benefits if you share blame for an accident.
Your personal injury compensation will be reduced to the extent you share any fault. Under Illinois’ modified comparative negligence law, you lose your right to compensation if your share of fault is at least 51%.
What Are Some Common Construction Accident Injuries?
While construction workers are vulnerable to all types of injuries, some of the most common include:
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Back injuries
- Concussions
- Leg and knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Eye and facial injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Organ damage
- Hearing loss
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
Our team in Peoria is also here to help you fight for justice if you lost a loved one in a fatal construction site accident.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Illinois?
Construction is a heavily-regulated industry. Both state and federal regulations are designed to keep construction workers safe. Of course, those regulations are only effective when they’re carefully followed. All too often, people cut corners to save time and maximize profits.
While construction accidents happen for various reasons, some of the most common reasons include:
- Dangerous property conditions
- Missing or damaged safety equipment, including eye protection
- Lack of proper fall protection equipment
- Undertrained employees
- Defective equipment
- Improperly installed scaffolding
- Ignoring labor laws and OSHA safety regulations
- Failure to inspect and maintain equipment and tools in safe condition
- Failure to properly secure equipment and supplies
- Communication failures
- Lack of proper supervision
- Overexertion
- Exposure to dangerous substances
- Exposure to live electricity
Construction injuries can happen for a range of reasons. It’s important to identify every one of them. The identity of your party will determine whether you can file a lawsuit for additional damages outside of workers’ comp.
Our Team Handles All Types of Construction Accident Cases
Joel E. Brown, P.C. represents clients in cases involving:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Ladder and roofing accidents
- Crane and hoist accidents
- Welding accidents
- Excavation accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Nail gun accidents
- Electrocution and electric shock
- Crane accidents
- Compression accidents
- Falling object accidents
- Falls from heights
- Slip and fall accidents
- Building collapses
- Fires and explosions
- Elevator accidents
- Dumpster accidents
- Trenching accidents
The list is by no means exhaustive. If you were hurt on the job, rely on us to help you fight for every available dollar.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for Damages After a Construction Accident in Illinois?
It’s important to take action quickly if you were hurt on the job. You have 45 days from the date of the accident to notify your employer. After 45 days pass, you risk losing your workers’ comp benefits.
The statute of limitations in personal injury cases is two years. If you fail to file a lawsuit within two years, you forfeit your right to recover compensation from a negligent third party.
Contact a Trusted Peoria Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Construction can be incredibly dangerous when someone is careless. If you were injured on the job, call our experienced Peoria construction accident lawyers for a free consultation. You can count on the team at Joel E. Brown, P.C. to help you through this overwhelming time.
