Springfield, IL Construction Accident Attorneys
Sangamon County Law Firm Fighting for Injured Construction Workers
Construction sites are inherently hazardous. Workers are frequently exposed to potential risks like falling from heights, being struck by falling objects, or encountering electrical hazards. The use of heavy machinery and power tools further elevates the chances of accidents.
Given these dangers, construction workers should understand their rights and the relief available to them in the event of an injury. Workers' compensation benefits are designed to offer financial support and medical coverage to employees who suffer work-related injuries, providing compensation so they can receive necessary treatment and continue to support themselves and their families during recovery. Unfortunately, securing the workers’ compensation benefits to which you are entitled is not always an easy process.
If you are an injured construction worker who is struggling to get workers’ compensation benefits, our team at Haxel Law is ready to help. Our Springfield construction accident attorneys both have insurance industry experience and understand how insurers tend to approach construction accident claims. We can help you navigate each stage of the legal process and fight to enforce your rights from start to finish.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with our Springfield construction accident lawyers! Contact us online or call (217) 215-4166 today.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
Construction sites involve heavy machinery, high elevations, electrical systems, and complex workflows. Even a minor mistake can create catastrophic results. Our firm handles all types of construction accident cases, including:
- Falls From Heights: Falls from ladders, roofs, scaffolding, and platforms remain the leading cause of construction-related injuries. Such accidents often occur due to lack of fall protection, unstable structures, or unsafe working conditions.
- Scaffolding Accidents: Defective scaffolding, improper assembly, or failure to follow OSHA safety standards frequently leads to falls, collapses, and severe injuries.
- Struck-By Object Accidents: Workers are often hit by falling tools, swinging loads, moving vehicles, or materials dropped from above. These accidents can cause head trauma, fractures, and fatal injuries.
- Electrocution: Contact with live wires, malfunctioning power tools, or improper lockout/tagout procedures can cause severe electrical burns, nerve damage, or fatalities.
- Heavy Machinery & Equipment Accidents: Cranes, forklifts, backhoes, bulldozers, and other machinery are powerful—and dangerous—when mishandled or improperly maintained.
- Trench & Ground Collapse: Trenches can cave in suddenly, trapping workers under thousands of pounds of soil. Failure to shore or properly secure trenches is a major violation of safety regulations.
- Fires & Explosions: Faulty wiring, chemical leaks, fuel storage issues, or welding mishaps can trigger fires or explosions that cause devastating injuries.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
Most construction accidents can be traced to preventable safety failures. Some of the most common causes include:
- Lack of Proper Safety Equipment: Missing guardrails, harnesses, helmets, or protective gear significantly increases injury risks.
- OSHA Violations: Many jobsite injuries occur because contractors or supervisors ignore safety standards and cut corners to finish projects faster.
- Negligent Supervision: Inadequate training, poor communication, and failure to enforce safety protocols put workers at risk.
- Defective Machinery & Tools: Faulty cranes, lifts, scaffolding, power tools, and protective equipment can cause unexpected malfunctions.
- Unsafe Worksite Conditions: Cluttered walkways, unstable surfaces, exposed wiring, and unsecured materials can easily lead to falls or equipment accidents.
- Contractor & Subcontractor Mismanagement: Multiple companies often work on a single site, and miscommunication between teams can result in dangerous situations.
Common Injuries
Construction accidents often cause severe or life-threatening injuries. Our Springfield construction accident attorneys represent clients suffering from:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken or crushed bones
- Electrical burns and chemical burns
- Amputations
- Severe lacerations
- Internal organ damage
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death
We work closely with medical experts to understand the full extent of your injuries and the long-term financial impact.
Workers' Compensation & Third-Party Claims in Illinois
If you were injured while working on a construction site in Springfield, you may have more than one path to compensation.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Most employees are entitled to workers’ compensation, which may provide:
- Medical expenses
- Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system—meaning you do not have to prove someone else caused your injury. However, the benefits are often limited and may not fully compensate you for lost income or future medical needs.
Third-Party Personal Injury Claims
Many construction workers qualify for additional compensation through a third-party claim. These claims are filed against someone other than your employer, such as:
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Property owners
- Equipment manufacturers
- Tool or machinery maintenance companies
- Architects or engineers
Third-party claims may allow you to recover pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages not available through workers’ comp.
Why Both Claims Matter
Maximizing your financial recovery may require pursuing both workers’ comp and a third-party claim simultaneously. Haxel Law has extensive experience identifying all liable parties and ensuring clients receive the maximum compensation available under Illinois law.
We are prepared to fight for the rights of injured construction workers! If you were recently hurt in a construction accident, call (217) 215-4166 or contact us online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
When Am I Entitled to Workers’ Compensation as a Construction Worker in Illinois?
Employees of construction firms are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when they sustain an injury arising out of and in the course of employment. This means that the injury must have occurred while performing job-related duties or as a result of work-related activities. It is not necessary for the injured worker to prove employer negligence to receive these benefits.
Unlike some states, Illinois does not always require construction industry employers to cover all their workers with a workers’ compensation insurance policy. More specifically, construction employers are only legally obligated to cover employees. Independent contractors are not usually covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
So, if you are classified as an employee, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when you suffer an on-the-job injury. If you are classified as an independent contractor, your case can be more complicated.
The unfortunate reality is that many construction firms deliberately misclassify employees as independent contractors to avoid having to pay for benefits – including workers’ compensation coverage. However, you may still be considered an employee under the law and are thus entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you meet certain criteria.
Even if you are classified as an independent contractor by your employer, you may be considered a construction employee if any of the following is true:
- Your employer closely dictates how you must complete your job responsibilities.
- Your job responsibilities consist of work usually done by your employer.
- You do not conduct your work as part of an independent business.
The bottom line: You should not assume you are not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits as a construction worker, even if your employer claims that you are an independent contractor. Our construction workers’ compensation attorneys in Springfield, IL, can determine whether you have been misclassified and whether you are eligible for benefits. If you are a legitimate independent contractor, we may still be able to help you seek compensation through a personal injury claim if someone else’s negligence caused the accident that harmed you.
-
What Disqualifies You from Workers’ Compensation in Illinois?
You can often receive workers’ compensation benefits even if you are responsible for your injuries. However, there are some important exceptions, including behaviors that can disqualify you from workers’ comp. Our team at Haxel Law can anticipate strategies insurers use to try to deny claims and help you understand whether any of these disqualifying factors apply to your case.
Your employer or their insurer may have the right to deny your workers’ compensation claim if your injuries were the result of:
- Horseplay
- Self-harm
- Intoxication
- Drug-related impairment
- A violation of company policy (such as attempting to operate heavy machinery you were not authorized to use)
-
Deadlines for Filing a Construction Workers’ Compensation Claim in Illinois
You need to act quickly after suffering an on-the-job injury. You must report your work-related injury to your employer within 45 days of the date you were injured or the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered your work-related injury. This report should be made in writing, and you should ideally submit it as soon as possible to help prevent disputes. If you wait too long to report your injury, your claim may be denied.
You have more time to file your workers’ compensation claim once your initial report has been made. In Illinois, you have three years from the date you were injured (or the date you discovered your injury) or two years from the last payment of benefits, whichever date comes later.
Why Choose Haxel Law?
- More than 40 years of experience in construction accident litigation
- 100+ trials handled
- Knowledge of OSHA regulations and Illinois safety standards
- Aggressive negotiation and trial advocacy
- No fees unless we win your case
Our goal is to handle every detail of your case so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Contact our Springfield construction accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Haxel Law, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
-
"I will definitely use Haxel Law again!"I’m so grateful for the legal assistance I received from Haxel Law. Martin is extremely knowledgeable and guided me throughout the process. I recommend Martin Haxel. He’s no nonsense and gets the job done. If needed I will definitely use Haxel Law again.- Sally B.
-
"Thank you, Martin."When I got injured, I knew I was going to be out of work. I knew I was going to be struggling with my family. I was really worried about the direction my life had turned towards. If I hadn't contacted Martin Haxel. I would still be fighting to get what I deserved. What was owed to me. Mr. Haxel however, stayed with me. He told me the truth. He didn't lie, or manipulate anything. He was honest and informative. He was the hope I didn't have at that time. He struggled with me to get all of it resolved. He did it with integrity, honesty, and a sincere understanding of what I was going through. To anyone considering having Mr. Haxel represent them in similar situations...I would say, you couldn't pick a better person. He's a great lawyer. He does great work. He's a nice person with a lot of experience in this field. If there's anyone you can turn to when no one will listen or even attempt to help you do what is right...Mr. Haxel is the one. I can't say enough good things about him. Now that my case is settled thanks to his work, I'm going to miss having someone having my back. He's a good man and I hope he feels good about what he's done when he lays down to sleep and reflects on his days, weeks, months, and years. People like him, give people hope, and faith that there are good people still roaming around this crazy thing called life. Martin, thank you. You're a beast.- Chris Y.
-
"Highly Recommend"Attorney Martin Haxel fought long and hard for a fair and just settlement. I recommend Haxel Law for your Work Comp case.- Karyn S.
-
"No One Better"I was referred to Martin by my original attorney. My original attorney didn't want to spend the time and money to represent me because my case was going to be difficult, time-consuming, and against the City of Champaign. I am so glad that Martin was willing to take my case and see it through. If you have a "hidden injury" like me or even an obvious injury Martin will handle it very professionally and give it the attention that you deserve.- John M.
-
"What a great experience!"I strongly recommend Haxel Law Firm to everyone. In fact, he has now taken on my fiance as a client. Thanks Marty for what you did for me!- David S.
-
"Made Everything Easy for Me"His assistant was very pleasant and helpful as well. If he wasn't available when I called and left a message he was always prompt to respond to my messages and emails. I would highly recommend him to anyone who can use his skills!- David N.
-
"Martin Truly Cares About You"I had a life-changing experience 4 years ago. Mr Haxel continually worked with the insurance company to settle the workman comp claim. Mr. Haxel was always available to call if you had any concerns and was always willing to listen to you.- Marvin S.
-
"Marty was great to work with!"He kept in communication and made the process as stress-free as possible. Hopefully I never need a personal injury attorney again, but if I do, I wouldn't hesitate to hire Marty.- Kristi D.
-
"Very Positive Experience Representing My Daughter"Very responsive and patient answering all my questions. I hope to never be in a situation of needing a lawyer again, but if I did, I would 100% contact Martin again.- Jim P.