Working on a construction site typically means long days operating heavy and complex equipment including bulldozers, cranes, scaffolding, and forklifts. Negligence to follow safety protocols, faulty or poorly maintained equipment, poor working conditions, and improper site supervision are all attributed to causing construction equipment-related accidents. Falls, electrocution, and crush injuries are common construction equipment-related injuries that occur when proper safety precautions are not met. These serious injuries can have fatal outcomes if not handled quickly and expertly.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of construction companies and contractors to ensure their workers are following the correct safety procedures and maintaining equipment properly. If you’ve been involved in a construction equipment accident that involves negligence, you may be able to collect financial compensation against all responsible parties.

To navigate legal action and protect your rights as a worker, it is essential to hire an experienced construction accident attorney who can help you understand the complex legal processes, help you seek fair compensation, and go to bat for you against the legal teams of construction companies, contracting companies, and any other involved party.

To expedite the legal process and your recovery in the immediate aftermath of a construction accident follow these steps:

1. Seek medical attention immediately.

Even when the injury seems minimal, you should seek medical help immediately following the accident. Your condition could worsen over time, or an injury that might not be obvious right away could surface in a few weeks or months. Be sure to get official records of all injuries diagnosed, medications prescribed, and follow-up care given. You will need this documentation when you and your attorney put your claim together.

Most important: seek medical attention independently of your employer. They will most likely have onsite care at the scene of the accident. Use it, then follow that up with a visit to an independent provider who will be able to give you a 100 percent unbiased opinion of the situation.

2. Take photos of the equipment.

If you are able, photograph the construction site and any equipment you were using at the time of the accident. These pictures can be examined by an expert who will be able to determine if faulty equipment is responsible for the incident or if the construction company was not following proper safety procedures. Photographs are one of the most important pieces of evidence you can use in your case. If you are too injured to take the pictures yourself, give the task to a trusted coworker or third party.

3. Gather notes and witness statements.

Documenting what happened, when it occurred, and who saw it are also key pieces of evidence in a case involving construction equipment. As soon as you are able, take notes on the events of the accident. You might also document your physical condition over time, to keep a record of injuries worsening or new ones surfacing. If anyone else, whether coworkers or nearby pedestrians, saw the accident, take statements from them as well.

4. Compile all documentation for an attorney.

There is no such thing as too much information in a personal injury case involving construction equipment. With that in mind, compile all documentation of the accident, so your attorney can use it as evidence in your case. That includes medical records, photos, witness statements, and your notes. Provide this information to your attorney, who will use it to strengthen your claim.

Contact Our Illinois Construction Accident Attorneys

Injuries resulting from heavy machinery can be serious and cause lasting physical and mental harm to victims and their families. The right evidence can go far when it comes to illustrating the damage incurred and helping you receive the compensation you deserve. The personal injury attorneys at Clifford Law Offices have decades of experience helping individuals recover damages for injuries resulting from negligence on construction worksites. Our attorneys have experience in all types of personal injury cases and construction accident lawsuits, and we know how to handle your case efficiently.

If you’ve suffered an injury due to faulty or poorly maintained machinery, or negligence surrounding heavy construction equipment, contact Clifford Law Offices to discuss the details of your case with one of our attorneys and learn what options are available to you. It is our goal to help you receive the highest possible compensation for your injuries.

The post Steps to Take After Being Hurt by Construction Equipment appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Tragically, construction worksite accidents do happen. A worker might fall, be electrocuted, or get struck by equipment or materials. Sometimes these accidents result from carelessness or negligence; sometimes, they happen due to defective equipment and machinery. Regardless of what caused the accident, full compensation for those injured could be available.

If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a large construction vehicle or equipment, follow these steps:

There is no such thing as too much information in a personal injury case involving construction equipment.

1. Get medical help immediately. Even if the injury seems minimal at the time, seek help from the onsite medical team and other experts. Follow the treatment plan recommendations provided by your medical team. Most importantly: seek medical attention independent of your employer. They will most likely have onsite care at the scene of the accident. Use it, then follow that up with a visit to an independent provider who will give you a 100% unbiased opinion of the situation.
2. Contact your insurance provider. Tell them details of the accident so that it will be on your profile.
3. Document as much as you possibly can, including:
   1. Time and location of the accident.
   2. CONTRACTORS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT. In any construction site injury there may be multiple parties who have responsibility for maintaining a safe worksite. Obtain the names of the general contractor, subcontractors, architects, safety consultants, design engineers and the manufacturer and operator of any equipment or vehicle involved in your incident.
   3. Manager info. Your onsite supervisor’s name and the company name.
   4. Take photos of the construction site and any equipment you were using at the time of the accident. Most importantly, take photos of the large construction vehicle that caused your accident and injuries. These pictures can be examined by an expert who will determine if faulty equipment is responsible for the incident or if the construction company was not following proper safety procedures. Photographs are one of the most important pieces of evidence you can use in your case. If you are too injured to take the pictures yourself, give the task to a trusted coworker or third party.
   5. Type of large construction vehicle and exactly how the accident happened.
   6. Medical diagnosis and your treatment plan.
   7. Witnesses. If anyone else, whether coworkers or nearby pedestrians, saw the accident, take statements from them as well.
   8. Post-injury lifestyle. Write down how the injuries from the accident have negatively affected your daily life in order to provide this information to your attorney. Continue to record the changes every week.
4. Do NOT sign any papers. Your employer’s insurance company may even pressure you to sign away your rights as a victim. Do not sign any documents before your attorney reviews them.
5. Seek legal support right away. The construction company’s legal team will start working on the case ASAP, so do not delay finding an expert construction accident law firm.

After an accident with a large construction vehicle or any construction-related accident, you will almost certainly need help from an experienced construction accident attorney. That’s because construction companies, contracting companies, and other parties who may be responsible for your injury will immediately muster their legal teams to fight your case. Employers and insurance companies will use their experience , to try to avoid paying the amount of compensation construction accident victims often deserve. Working with an attorney who understands this complex, often overwhelming, area of personal injury law can give you a better shot at getting the help you deserve.

Why Choose Clifford Law Offices?

Clifford Law Offices has a long history of winning construction accident cases. A prominent example of our success in construction cases involved injuries sustained at the John Hancock Building in Chicago. We represented injury victims and those who lost loved ones due to the collapse, and we ultimately secured a $75 million settlement for our clients.

In a non-construction worker case, we obtained $6.8 million for a mother who fell through the Styrofoam flooring of a home under construction, which the builder invited her to see.

In another case, Kevin Durkin, a partner at the firm, obtained a $2.95 million settlement for a construction worker who fell through an unsupported roof on a project at Chicago’s Navy Pier and fractured his pelvis and wrist.

Click here to see some examples of the numerous construction site accident cases we have resolved in Chicago over the last three decades.

Let’s get to work on your case.

Construction-related accidents are serious matters. Even when they are not fatal, the lasting physical and mental harm is significant to victims and their families. Promptly gathering the right evidence and properly preparing your case for trial is fundamental to proving the injuries and damages incurred, and getting you the compensation you deserve.

If you have questions about your construction-related accident, contact our Chicago team at (312) 899-9090. We are here to support you.

The post In an Accident with a Large Construction Vehicle or Construction Equipment? appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Even so, accidents happen. A worker might fall, be electrocuted, or get struck by a heavy object. Sometimes these accidents are the result of carelessness or negligence; sometimes they happen due to faulty machinery. Regardless, if you’ve been involved in an accident with construction equipment, you may be able to collect damages in the form of worker’s compensation or help with medical bills.

After any accident involving construction equipment, you will almost certainly need help from an experienced attorney. That’s because construction companies, contracting companies, and other parties who may be responsible for your injury will immediately muster their legal teams to fight your case. Employers and insurance companies know how to “work the system,” so to speak, to avoid paying the amount of compensation construction accident victims often deserve. Insurance companies may even pressure you to sign away your rights as a victim. Working with an attorney who understands this complex, often overwhelming area of personal injury law can give you a better shot at getting the help you deserve.

To speed up that process and put together the best possible claim, here’s what to do in the immediate aftermath of a construction accident:

1. Seek medical attention immediately.

Even when the injury seems minimal, you should get medical help immediately following the accident. Your condition could worsen over time, or an injury that might not be obvious right away could surface in a few weeks or months. Be sure to get official records of all injuries diagnosed, medications prescribed, and follow-up care given. You will need this documentation when you and your attorney put your claim together.

Most important: seek medical attention independent of your employer. They will most likely have onsite care at the scene of the accident. Use it, then follow that up with a visit to an independent provider who will be able to give you a 100 percent unbiased opinion of the situation.

2. Take photos of the equipment.

If you are able, photograph the construction site and any equipment you were using at the time of the accident. These pictures can be examined by an expert who will be able to determine if faulty equipment is responsible for the incident or if the construction company was not following proper safety procedures. Photographs are one of the most important pieces of evidence you can use in your case. If you are too injured to take the pictures yourself, give the task to a trusted coworker or third party.

3. Gather notes and witness statements.

Documenting what happened, when it occurred, and who saw it are also key pieces of evidence in a case involving construction equipment. As soon as you are able, take your own notes on the events of the accident. You might also document your physical condition over time, to keep a record of injuries worsening or new ones surfacing. If anyone else, whether coworkers or nearby pedestrians, saw the accident, take statements from them as well.

4. Compile all documentation for an attorney.

There is no such thing as too much information in a personal injury case involving construction equipment. With that in mind, compile any and all documentation of the accident, so your attorney can use it as evidence in your case. That includes medical records, photos, witness statements, and your own notes. Provide this information to your attorney, who will use it to strengthen your claim.

Construction accidents are serious affairs. Even when they are not fatal, the lasting physical and mental harm is significant to victims and their families. The right evidence can go far when it comes to illustrating the damage incurred and getting you the compensation you deserve.

If you have questions about construction accidents, contact us at (312) 899-9090. Our team is here to support you.

The post What Can I Do If I’ve Been Hurt By Construction Equipment? appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

The cause of the crane collapse is under investigation. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a statement, “Determining how and why this tragedy happened will take time.”

The scene is eerily reminiscent of the scaffolding collapse that occurred in downtown Chicago in 2002 when the large structure collapsed from the John Hancock Building, falling on cars below, killing two mothers sitting in the back seat as their daughters sat in the front seat. Clifford Law Offices represented those families along with many others who were injured from the falling debris. A global settlement for 10 of the victims and their families was reached for $75 million on the eve of trial in 2006.

Clifford Law Offices has represented people in disasters around the world, including 30 people injured or killed in the Amtrak crash of 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The train, which was on its inaugural run on the Point Defiance Bypass, was carrying 83 passengers and crew members.

The speeding train was going nearly 80 miles per hour when it derailed on a curve where the speed limit was 30 mph. It crashed onto Interstate 5 on Dec. 18, 2017, closing the southbound freeway for nearly three days. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the engineer of that train missed the signals indicating a lower speed limit was necessary for the upcoming curve.

The accident lawyers at Clifford Law Offices embrace the theory that those responsible for construction crane accidents must be held accountable for their negligent actions. Clifford Law Offices represents victims’ families and gets the answers they deserve. Please call Clifford Law Offices, experienced construction accident attorneys and unsafe premises attorneys, at (312) 899-9090.

Construction accident lawyers and attorneys with Clifford Law Offices are experienced in representing victims of construction crane accidents.

The post Crane Collapses in Seattle, Killing Four, Injuring Others appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

One of the main concerns we hear when a construction worker has an injury is: “How will I pay my bills if I can’t work?” What most people are surprised to find out is that they may be able to seek financial recovery for more than just their hospital bills. Many on the job construction accidents are caused by negligence and the legally responsible party can be held liable for:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages
• Other compensation

If you have been injured in a construction accident, we recommend that you:

• Seek immediate medical care as soon as possible, even if you feel like you do not have an injury or the injury appears minimal
• Report the accident to the site supervisor
• File an insurance report

The next step is to schedule a consultation for legal representation. When an injured construction worker – or family member on their behalf – comes to see us for a consultation, we review the case and give advice on the next steps in the process.

Clifford Law Offices has represented construction workers who have suffered injuries or death on the job, as well as non-workers who have been injured near or while at a construction site. Our attorneys are knowledgeable and experienced and are not afraid to take on legal teams from corporations and insurance carriers.

If you – or someone you love – has been a victim of a construction site accident, schedule a consultation with us today by contacting us online or calling 1-800-899-0410.

The post Construction Job Accident – How Will I Pay My Bills if I Can’t Work? appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

In 2008 alone, the Federal Highway Administration reported 720 work zone fatalities, and most occurred during the months of June, September and October. With June on the horizon, there is no better time to remind motorists to slow down in work zones and prevent fatalities by paying attention to the posted speed limit signs. In Illinois, the speed limit in work zones is usually 45 m.p.h. even when workers are not present.

Pay the Fine, Do the Time

The state of Illinois takes work zone fatalities very seriously; in 2012, there were more than 7,000 work zone motor vehicle crashes, 19 of which were fatal. Penalties for speeding in a work zone are steep at a minimum of $375. The consequences of hitting a worker include up to a $10,000 fine and up to 14 years in prison. Clearly, the “need for speed” can end up costing a lot more than just a few hundred dollars.

Representation for those Injured in Work Zones

When someone is injured in a work zone, it can disrupt not only their livelihood but also their entire life. There can be physical, psychological, emotional and monetary damages that need to be addressed. Clifford Law Offices has experience representing victims in construction liability cases, including some with significant settlements. For example, the construction accident attorney team at Clifford Law Offices reached a $750,000 settlement for a client whose car was sideswiped by a trailer in a construction zone. Work zone accidents fall under the category of construction liability, and victims of these situations deserve an experienced attorney who can help them seek justice for their losses. For more information please call Clifford Law Offices at (312) 899-9090.

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