Numerous construction accidents occur each year in Joliet. Construction workers often perform potentially dangerous duties while at work. Accordingly, negligent behavior on construction sites can lead to serious injuries.
You will usually be unable to sue your own employer after a construction accident. However, lawsuits may be filed against negligent third parties that caused or contributed to your injuries. For example, if your injury was caused by another contractor on a construction site, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a construction accident lawsuit.
If you were injured because of a construction accident in Joliet, get help assessing the legal options available to you. Contact our experienced Joliet construction accident lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
Types of Damages Available in Joliet Construction Accident Lawsuits
There are multiple types of damages available to plaintiffs in Joliet construction accident lawsuits. In order for damages to be recovered, they must have been caused by a defendant’s careless or reckless conduct. Our Joliet construction accident lawyers can help victims determine which of the following types of damages may be available in their lawsuit:
Medical Expenses
Plaintiffs may recover damages for the cost of medical expenses related to their injuries. All medical expenses related to their injuries may be sought. Furthermore, victims may recover compensation for the cost of past, current, and future medical treatment related to their injuries.
Proper documentation of your injuries is required in order to recover damages for medical expenses. Accordingly, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible after your injuries. Your medical records and bills will be used to establish damages for medical expenses.
Lost Earnings
Construction accident victims may also recover monetary damages for lost earning incurred because of their injuries. Construction workers have physically demanding occupations. Therefore, injured workers are regularly forced to miss significant time at work. Our Joliet construction accident lawyers can help plaintiffs recover compensation for their lost wages. Such damages are typically calculated using a worker’s average weekly income.
Some injuries may permanently affect a victim’s ability to work. Accordingly, plaintiffs may also recover damages for a lost earning capacity in the future. Complex evidence may be required to prove a lost future earning capacity. Our experienced lawyers can fight for damages related to your inability to work in the future.
Property Damages
Furthermore, in some construction accident lawsuits, property damages may be awarded. For example, if a worker’s personal tools were damaged because of a construction accident, that worker may seek damages for the cost of repair or replacement of their tools.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Out-of-pocket expenses are another type of damage available to plaintiffs in construction accident lawsuits. For example, injured workers suffering from paralysis may incur extensive costs when modifying their home to become wheelchair-accessible. In such cases, victims may recover damages for the cost of modifying their home.
There are numerous forms of out-of-pocket expenses that may be recovered in construction accident lawsuits. Accordingly, you should keep any receipts for financial costs related to your accident. Our Joliet construction accident lawyers can help determine which out-of-pocket expenses may be available in your case.
Pain and Suffering
Additionally, construction accident victims may also seek compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering caused by their accidents. Many accidents can be traumatic experiences. Furthermore, severe injuries caused by construction accidents can negatively impact victims’ enjoyment of life.
Quantifying damages for pain and suffering can be difficult. Various forms of evidence may be used. Therefore, the assistance of our experienced Joliet construction accident lawyers can be highly beneficial when pursuing damages for pain and suffering.
Loss of Companionship
In some cases, a victim’s ability to show love and affection to their spouse will be inhibited. Accordingly, plaintiffs in Joliet construction accident lawsuits may also recover financial compensation for the loss of companionship suffered because of their injuries.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded. Punitive damages serve to punish defendants for intentional or extremely negligent behavior. Furthermore, such damages serve to discourage similar behavior in the future. Our Joliet construction accident lawyers can help determine if punitive damages may be awarded in your case during a free case review.
Dealing with Insurance Companies in Joliet Construction Accident Lawsuits
Dealing with insurance companies in Joliet construction accident lawsuits can be difficult and frustrating. First, the defendants’ insurers may attempt to entice low settlement agreements in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Insurance companies want to settle cases quickly and cheaply. Our lawyers can help protect your interests by evaluating settlement offers and communicating with insurance adjusters on your behalf.
Furthermore, the defendants’ insurers may attempt to shift blame for your construction accident. They may hire teams of people to refute various aspects of your case. Our Joliet construction accident lawyers can help deal with insurance companies by gathering the evidence necessary to establish negligence on behalf of a careless defendant.
Who to Sue After Construction Accidents in Joliet
Victims of construction accidents often wonder who to sue. If your accident was caused by the negligent actions of another contractor, you may file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. You must show that the other contractor caused or contributed to your injuries to be successful.
Furthermore, some construction accidents are caused by defective products. In such cases, manufacturers and sellers can be held liable for injuries caused by their negligent actions. These cases often involve copious amounts of complicated evidence. Accordingly, the assistance of our experienced Joliet construction accident lawyers can be very helpful when pursuing compensation for injuries caused by defective products.
If your accident was caused by your employer’s negligent actions, you will typically have to seek damages through Workers’ Compensation. However, in extremely rare cases, lawsuits may be filed against employers. For example, an employer may be held liable for intentionally sending an employee into a dangerous situation as punishment. Our team can help construction accident victims evaluate the full range of legal options available to them during a free case review.
If You Were Injured Because of a Construction Accident in Joliet, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a construction accident, seek assistance from our experienced Joliet construction accident lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
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