CONSTRUCTION WORKERS MORE LIKELY TO NEED WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

There is no denying it — working in the construction industry is dangerous. Construction workers spend their working hours around large vehicles, at significant heights and with dangerous machinery, any of which could lead to a serious accident for which a victim may need workers’ compensation benefits. It may come as no surprise to learn that construction is one of the most deadly occupations in Illinois.

Construction workers are injured by the thousands each and every year. Many of those injuries are very serious because of the nature of the job. Severe injuries that prevent people from ever working again are also sadly not uncommon. Deaths are not all that uncommon, either. Some of the most common daily risks that these workers face are referred to as the “fatal four.”

The fatal four accidents that cause the most deaths among construction workers are falls, falling objects, being crushed by or caught in heavy machinery and electrocution. The most common and deadliest of these are accidents involving falls. It is estimated that falls account for as many as nearly 58% of all construction worker deaths.

Illinois employers in the construction industry should be able to greatly reduce the risk of falls on job sites, but many are simply ignoring their responsibilities to do so. Those responsibilities include implementing continuous safety measures and providing regular safety training. Failure to do so can lead to serious injury or even death, for which victims and their families may need workers’ compensation. Injury victims should be able to secure compensation for things like medical bills and lost wages, while families of those killed at work can apply for temporary death benefits.