Dangerous Machinery

Chicago Lawyers for Dangerous Machinery Accidents

Construction work involves heavy and dangerous machinery, including construction vehicles, backhoes, cranes, bulldozers, and saws. These machines make it faster to progress with construction —backhoes, for instance, can dig a hole much faster than workers with shovels can—but they also carry significant risks for catastrophic injuries and fatalities. If you were injured or a loved one died as a result of dangerous machinery, you should call the seasoned Chicago construction accident attorneys of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca. Our law firm uses 60 years of experience to fight for compensation for workers in personal injury lawsuits, workers’ compensation claims, and SSDI claims.

Construction Accidents Caused by Dangerous Machinery

Heavy or dangerous machinery accidents are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries and fatalities on construction sites. There are inherent risks to using dangerous machinery. When machinery malfunctions or is used negligently on a construction site, everyone near the machinery or operating the machinery is in danger of getting seriously injured. When an operator is involved in an accident, he is trapped inside the cab of the machine and is likely to be injured. Bystanders may also suffer serious injuries such as crushing, broken bones, lacerations, burns, neck and back injuries, or even injuries so catastrophic they result in wrongful death.

Some typical reasons for dangerous machinery accidents include machine collisions, collapses, rollovers, and malfunctions. Rollovers occur when a machine becomes imbalanced and topples; this kind of accident can occur if an operator loses control of the machine, or it is poorly maintained, or the construction site is unstable. Malfunctions tend to occur when a machine fails to perform its job, and injuries may result when the machine drops its load or a safety guard is defective or misused, such that a worker is crushed or cut by it. Collapses happen when a machine is overloaded; crane accidents may involve collapses. Machine collisions happen when a machine runs over a worker and squeezes him between the machine and a firm surface.

Often machinery accidents and injuries are preventable. In many instances, they are the result of negligence or malfeasance. Negligent parties may include a coworker, a construction company, a supervisor, or someone else on the site. You cannot sue your employer for damages arising out of a dangerous machinery accident, but you may be able to recover damages in a third-party lawsuit brought against another party to the accident, such as a different subcontractor or supplier, or even the machine’s manufacturer. To prove negligence, our lawyers will need to show: (1) the defendant breached the duty of reasonable care that was owed to you, (2) the breach caused your injuries, and (3) you suffered actual damages.

In some cases, it is appropriate to bring a product liability lawsuit against a machine manufacturer. These lawsuits may be brought when an accident is caused by the machine’s manufacturing, design or marketing defect.

Workers’ Compensation

The Illinois workers’ compensation system was set up to protect workers from the losses created by work-related injuries. The benefits provided are no-fault benefits, which means you won’t need to establish another party’s liability, and your compensation will not be reduced if you were partially to blame for your own injuries. However, workers’ compensation benefits do not cover your noneconomic losses or the full range of your economic losses; they cover a portion of your wage loss and medical expenses that are deemed reasonable and necessary. Our lawyers have many years of experience with both personal injury lawsuits and workers’ compensation claims, which ideally positions us to represent you and develop strong strategies for success in both legal proceedings.

Consult a Chicago Lawyer About Your Machinery Accident Injuries

If you were injured or a loved one died due to dangerous machinery, you need knowledgeable legal representation. Call the experienced Chicago construction accident attorneys of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca to represent you in a personal injury lawsuit, SSDI claim, or workers’ compensation claim. Call us at 312-724-5846 or fill out our online form.