Construction Accidents Result in Injuries

Nearly all construction accidents are preventable. The safety of its employees and the general public should be a top priority of any construction company. Awareness of four common construction hazards can lead to increased safety. Those hazards have been determined to be attributable to nearly 60 percent of all construction accident injuries and deaths.

The OSHA 2014 Numbers

According to the Occupational Health Safety Administration (OSHA), there were 4,679 work-related fatalities in 2014, the most recent year for which we have statistics. Fatal injuries involving employees of construction contractors consisted of 17 percent of those fatalities. Four of the most common causes of construction site injuries are outlined in the paragraphs below.

Falls

Workers involved in construction risk falling from ladders, scaffolds, cranes and other equipment that enables them to work at different heights. About 33 percent of all fall-related injuries and fatalities involve falls from roofs. Roofers and steelworkers are most often injured or killed from roof falls. About 36 percent of all construction-related deaths in the 2014 figures were from falls.

Being Struck by Objects

Tools, materials and other objects that aren’t properly secured and used at heights cause risks to construction workers below when they fall. Those risks are one of the primary reasons for hard hats. Workers might also get struck by heavy equipment like cranes or bulldozers. In the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines, one construction worker was recently killed, and three others were injured, when a massive 45-ton road beam that was 180 feet long fell from a crane. About 10 percent of all deaths from construction site injuries result from being struck by an object.

Electrical Shock

It’s quite common for construction sites to work with or around electrical hazards on a job site. Sometimes the electrical source is still a work in progress. Electrical hazards must be identified, and due care and caution needs to be used by employers and employees. About 9 percent of all construction accident deaths are from electrocution.

Being Caught Between Objects

The usual construction site scenario for being caught between objects is a worker who gets pinned between a moving object, like a truck, and a stationary object, like a wall. About 2 percent of construction injury fatalities involve workers getting caught between objects.

Contact Chicago Construction Injury Lawyers

Our attorneys can help you or your family get compensation for a construction accident an injury if you were hurt due to negligence. You can call us 24/7 or fill out our online form for a consultation.

Wrongful Death Defined

Wrongful death is when an individual or a group of people cause the death of someone else, either willfully or by a negligent act. If the family or legal beneficiaries feel wrongful death occurred, then they may commence a wrongful death action against the party or parties they feel are responsible. The process of a wrongful death suit is often difficult and long.

The Specifics and History of Wrongful Death Suits

Laws carried over from England to the United States known as Common Law used to forbid a wrongful death suit. The last 100 years saw a dramatic change in stance regarding this type of suit. Wrongful death suits fall under the area of Tort Law, and there are wrongful death laws in every state in the country now. By falling under Tort Law, wrongful death suits are dictated by statutes, and every state has different statutes for wrongful death claims. The function of the statutes is to define what surviving parties are allowed to legally make a wrongful death claim. Some state statutes also determine the cap at how much can be awarded in damages if a wrongful death suit is successful. There are some states that have no limit on how much can be awarded for damages, such as Illinois, which states that the jury can award whatever damages are thought to be fair and just compensation for the losses resulting from the wrongful death.

Medical malpractice, accidents resulting in death, products malfunctioning and even criminal charges include some great examples behind the rationale for a wrongful death suit. It may seem odd for criminal charges to fall underneath the umbrella of examples, but the O.J. Simpson case is a great example. Although he was acquitted of murder, he was still sued for wrongful death by the parents of Ron Goldman. People and companies like product manufacturers can be sued for wrongful death, but government agencies can also be sued. A good example of a government agency facing a wrongful death suit would be a police department. Police departments are frequently sued for deaths occurring during arrests or altercations.

Common Examples of People Allowed to File Wrongful Death Suits

Someone has to represent the deceased in court in the event of a wrongful death suit to claim injury and financial damages from the death. It is usually defined as real parties in interest such as an executor of the estate, but statutes vary for each state.

The following is a general list of people who are allowed to file a wrongful death suit depending on statutes: immediate family members, distant relatives, a life partner, a financial dependent, someone believing they were going to be married to the deceased, someone believing they were in a marriage-type relationship (putative spouse), people who suffer financially from the death, or parents of a fetus.

In Illinois, it’s more specific: the personal representative of an estate is the one who may file a wrongful death suit. This is often a spouse, a parent of a deceased child, or the adult child of one who is deceased. If there is no representative to an estate as chosen by the deceased, the court may appoint one following the death.

Classifications of Damages

There are three types of damages awarded. The first type is economic damages, which consist of the financial losses suffered by the plaintiffs resulting from the death. Non-economic damages can’t be classified as easily, but are often some sort of compensation for the pain experienced from the loss of a loved one. Finally, punitive damages are essentially a financial punishment to the respondent.

Chicagoland Wrongful Death Attorneys

If you believe you have a case for a wrongful death lawsuit and you live in Chicago or the surrounding areas, contact Theisen & Roche today. Our experienced lawyers can help your family fight for damages resulting from a wrongful death. Call (888) 845-7241 or fill out an online form for a consultation.

Auto insurance coverage is required in 45 states, but even if you live in one of the other five, it is a good idea to carry the coverage. Failing to have insurance may expose you to significant financial risk. There are varying levels of protection you can choose. You need to understand your risks and purchase the amount of coverage you need to protect yourself if you are in an accident.

Main Types of Coverage

Insurance works by pooling all of the premiums you and other policyholders pay to the company. Since only a small percentage of policyholders will be involved in an accident, this allows the company to pay a much larger amount than you actually are required to pay in your premiums. There are three main types of coverage: liability insurance, comprehensive insurance and collision insurance.

1. Liability insurance

Liability insurance is the minimum level required for drivers in a majority of states. With this level of coverage, the insurance company will pay for damages and injuries caused to others if you are in an accident, although it will not cover your own damages. This level of insurance may be sufficient for people who drive older cars. Before choosing a liability limit, you might want to do research to make certain the liability amounts are sufficient for your needs.

2. Collision insurance

Collision insurance is designed to pay for damages to your car, as well as that of another person in an accident. If you have a car loan, you have to have collision insurance so your lender or finance company doesn’t lose their financial interest in your vehicle.

3. Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance pays for other types of damage to your vehicle, beyond those paid by your collision insurance. This can include damages due to vandalism, fire, flooding, theft or natural disasters. If you have comprehensive and collision insurance, you’ll also still have the liability portion to protect you in case of an accident that causes damage to another car.

Additional Coverage Types

There are more types of coverage that can provide additional protections to you.

• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when you have an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or whose insurance isn’t sufficient to cover your losses
• Personal injury protection will pay your medical bills if you are injured in an accident
• Gap insurance will cover the difference in the amount you owe and the fair market value of your car if it is totaled in an accident, so you are not stuck paying the difference to your finance company
• Some people also purchase towing and rental car options through their insurance policies

Having automobile insurance is not only required in most states, it can provide you with financial security if you are involved in an automobile accident. Before you choose a policy, it is important to do research so you understand the level you really need, then save money by shopping around.

In September 2015, the EPA found that the automobile company Volkswagen had been in violation of the federal Clean Air Act. The automaker had allegedly programmed cars using a TDI system to meet emissions standards, but only while conducting tests in a laboratory. In reality, some 500,000 cars between 2009-2015 were creating emissions 40 times higher than allowed by law. What were some of the legal repercussions of this violation?

Volkswagen Stopped Making the Cars in Question

As a result of the EPA investigation, Volkswagen stopped making any vehicle that had a turbocharged diesel injection (TDI) system. The government says that a variety of models with 2.0 and 3.0 liter engines had software installed on them that manipulated the results of the test. Although the EPA and other agencies believe that they can prove that VW broke the law, it has so far been unable to get access to documents because of German laws.

The Automaker Faces Large Fines in the United States

It is possible that Volkswagen could be fined by the EPA $37,500 for each car it sold that violated the Clean Air Act standards. All told, that could result in a total fine of $18 billion. Furthermore, the government may pursue up to $48 billion in additional fines for violating standards outlined in the Clean Air Act.

Company Leaders Could Face Criminal Charges

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is leading an investigation against Volkswagen claiming that they sold customers a false bill of goods. In addition, the FBI and attorney generals in 25 other states are conducting investigations of their own. As part of the investigation, the company is accused of creating an ongoing endangerment to the health and safety of customers.

Private Citizens Have Also Filed Suit Against the Company

In addition to state governments and government agencies filing suit against the company, it is also facing a variety of class action lawsuits. These cases center around the fact that the cars are worth less, as they cannot meet regulatory standards. Investors have also taken legal action because Volkswagen’s stock has dropped significantly because of this scandal.

It may be months or years before the legal cases against Volkswagen are settled. If the allegations against the company are found to be true, it could cost the company billions of dollars, in addition to the loss of prestige that the brand may experience. While it may not bankrupt the company, the fallout from the scandal could be felt for a long time to come.

Avoiding Dog Bites

If a dog is properly trained and socialized, it will understand how to approach people in a friendly and polite manner. In the event that a dog is stressed or worried, it will generally give several warning signs that it does not want to be near you. Understanding these warning signs may prevent you from getting bit and having to seek treatment. Some of these signs are listed below:

• tense body
• stiff tail
• ears pulled back
• furrowed brow
• whites of eyes visible
• intense stare
• backing away

 

Avoiding a Dog Bite Through Respect for the Dog’s Space

Just like you respect physical boundaries when you meet a person for the first time, you will want to respect physical boundaries when you meet a dog for the first time. Never touch the dog or get too close to it without its permission. If a dog is growling, showing its teeth or barking at you, it does not want to be approached. The same is true if its face is tense, or it is retreating from you as you approach.

 

Avoiding a Dog Bite During Play

Dogs may nip at you during play sessions or when it is happy but overly excited. For example, Labradors have a natural tendency to put things in their mouths, which means that they may try to bite or grip your hand even during play. This can result in a painful bite even if there was no intention to harm you. To calm an excited dog down, you can turn your back to it. The dog will take this as a sign that you don’t want that type of attention.

 

Avoiding a Bite Related to Resource Guarding

Resource guarding is something that all living things do as a means of survival. Dogs will guard their toys, their food and their territory from other dogs or any other person or animal that is deemed a threat. Therefore, you may put yourself at risk of a bite or an attack by getting between the dog and its toys or its food. You can avoid such a fate by taking a few steps back until it calms down.

 

What To Do If You’re Bitten

If you have been bitten by a dog, you should seek medical attention immediately. For minor wounds that haven’t broken the skin, you should wash the effected area with soap and hot water. You should then wrap the wound in gauze or place a sterile bandage over it to keep it clean while it heals.

In the event that the wound has broken the skin, you will want to go to the hospital or have your doctor treat it as soon as possible. You could be at risk of an infection that could result in the loss of your fingers or toes, and it is possible to lose an entire limb if the infection is bad enough. It will also be important to stop any bleeding that may occur and reset any broken or fractured bones.

 

While no one wants to be bitten by a dog, there are plenty of ways to avoid them. By understanding how a dog thinks, you can take steps to interact with them peacefully regardless of how old they are or what type of breed it may be.