Construction workers performing ironwork here in Chicago are employed on some of the most dangerous worksites in the country. They routinely face hazards including working from heights and risking fatal falls; dealing with bad weather conditions; tasks involving heavy machinery or equipment or power tools; etc. For more, read: Winter Hazards for Ironworkers in Chicago: Ice, Wind, and Cold-Weather Falls; Ironworker Accidents: Dangers Unique to Chicago High-Rise and Bridge Projects; and Ironworkers: Great Dangers of On-the-Job Injury in Cook County, Illinois.
The risks of bodily injury or death are especially high for Chicagoland ironworkers, compared to other types of construction as well as other industries. Ironworker accidents are often catastrophic. For loved ones of an ironworker suffering severe harm in a work accident on a Chicago construction site, the realities are almost incomprehensible.
The truth is that loved ones suffer alongside the injured ironworker. And despite the overwhelming circumstances facing them day after day, they must deal with all sorts of medical, legal, and emotional challenges. From experienced advocates for Chicago ironworkers hurt on the job are the following considerations for families, who may find the following information helpful to them as they are coping with the aftermath of the work accident:
1. Emotional Support and Care
An ironworker’s accident may be the worst thing to happen for many loved ones in their entire lives. It is vital to recognize and respect the emotional impact not only to the worker victim, but to spouses, kids, and other family members. As advocates, we can offer compassion and understanding, but we know there may be instances when more professional expertise can be very helpful.
Here in Chicago, the various ironworker unions as well as some community organizations may be able to comfort and help families with things like grief counseling; financial aid; and survivor support programs. Examples include Help4Grief and Center for Grief Recovery and Therapeutic Services (which includes counseling for those dealing with grief in the workplace).
2. Workers’ Compensation Benefits: Fast Financial Help
Immediate needs to pay the rent or the mortgage; to buy groceries; to make the monthly credit card payments; and more can bombard family members with unbelievable pressure. Family members dealing with a Chicagoland ironworker accident need to know that the State of Illinois has a long-established Worker’s Compensation program for exactly these situations. Overseen by the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Commission, claims are filed for payment of benefits through an insurance policy paid for by the ironworker’s employer.
Generally, injured ironworkers or their family members in instances of a fatal work accident are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in Illinois. These include things like medical expenses, lost wages, and death benefits for surviving dependents.
The benefits here are defined by law. They are not the same as monetary damages available to work accident victims under civil personal injury law.
For more about workers’ compensation benefits, read: Work Accident in Illinois or Indiana: Workers Compensation Claim vs. Personal Injury Damages; and 10 Types of Workers Compensation Benefits After a Work Accident in Illinois or Indiana.
3. Union Support for Chicago Ironworker Families
Here in the greater Chicago metropolitan area, ironworkers may be represented by either Local 1, Local 63, or Local 136. Families can get help here regarding various benefits and support. For instance, there may be life, accident, and hospital supplemental benefits for ironworkers through their Union.
To learn more, contact the appropriate Local:
- Iron Workers Local 1 – Chicago at (708) 366-6695;
- Iron Workers Local 63 – Chicago at (708) 344-7727;
- Ironworkers Local 136 – Broadview at (708) 615-9300; or
- Ironworkers International at (202) 383-4800.
Also see: Your Rights as a Union Ironworker After a Job-Site Injury.
4. Filing Wrongful Death or Personal Injury Claims After Chicago Ironworker Hurt on the Job
Family members of Chicago ironworker suffering bodily harm on the job may research and hire a personal injury lawyer to help them investigate possible legal causes of action against those with civil liability for their loved one’s injuries.
There is an independent right to investigate all causes of a work accident in Illinois that exists independently of any other investigations.
And there may be several different investigations into a serious or fatal ironworker work accident here. Not only insurance companies, but federal regulators; state agencies; and even law enforcement may all have feet on the ground trying to figure out all the reasons for what happened.
Family members may have their own civil damages claims to pursue alongside the damage claims of the injured worker victim. They may be based upon Illinois wrongful death laws or upon various personal injury legal arguments.
Each situation is unique. After an accident reconstruction expert with specific knowledge about ironworking in all its nuances is hired; performs a case analysis; and forms an opinion, there may be shocking revelations about all the causes for the ironworker’s tragic accident.
Families may reel after learning that fault likes with one or more professionals (like engineers or safety officers) for failed design or negligent housekeeping monitoring; or companies, such as a manufacturer of a defective power tool or piece of personal protective equipment; or a contractor supplying heavy machinery (think crane) that failed because of improper maintenance or repair.
It is impossible to know all the causes of a serious ironworker accident until expert investigations are done. And after they are completed, these expert opinions can form the basis of legal claims for damages against those found culpable for what happened.
For more, read: Accident Reconstruction Experts and Injury Claims; and Why a Lawyer who is a Trial Attorney Is Important for Accident Victims in Personal Injury Cases.
5. Civil Personal Injury Damages
Civil damages are different from benefits provided to the ironworker’s family under the state workers’ compensation plan. Family members may find there is compensation in the civil courts system for things like:
- medical costs, including hospitalization, rehabilitation, long-term care needs;
- lost wages;
- lost future earnings;
- lost future earning capacity;
- pain and suffering (past, present, future);
- funeral expenses;
- survivor benefits;
- and if some instances, punitive damages (not available in all cases).
Also read: Damages are Different: Workers Compensation vs. Third Party Personal Injury Claims; and Work Accident Injury Claims in Illinois and Indiana: Things to Know About Monetary Damages.
6. Injured Ironworker and Family: Deadlines
For family members, it is important to take the time as soon as possible to consider the legal ramifications of the ironworker accident, because Illinois has strict deadlines that apply to them.
There are deadlines for filing for workers’ compensation benefits. File too late, and you will be denied as being untimely.
It may seem unfair and overwhelming, but the wrongdoers have no duty to step up and admit their wrongs caused the ironworker’s harm. It is the legal duty of the worker victim to pursue legal claims for justice, and there is a time deadline to do so here, as well.
This is called the “limitations deadline.” For wrongful death and personal injury claims, the matter will be barred as a matter of law no matter how valid if the deadline is not met.
For more, read: Deadlines for Injury Victims to File Lawsuits: Statutes of Limitations.
Help for Family Members of Injured Chicago Ironworkers
Dealing with a beloved family member who has gone off to work one day and not come home because of sudden and horrific work accident bombards everyone in so many ways. Help and support is there for the victim and their loved ones here in Chicagoland. However, it is important that family members are made aware of various resources and responsibilities available to them.
As experienced advocates for Chicago ironworkers hurt on the job, this summary is intended to be a tiny bit of help for all those dealing with the heart-wrenching circumstances of a serious ironworker accident here in Chicagoland.
For more information, see:
- When Should You Contact a Personal Injury Attorney After Being Hurt on the Job?
- Questions To Ask When Choosing A Personal Injury Lawyer In Illinois Or Indiana
- How To Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer for You and Your Family
- What To Look For in a Personal Injury Lawyer in Indiana or Illinois.
Chicago ironworkers are our “Cowboys of the Sky,” who risks their lives in the building of some of our most impressive and important buildings, bridges, landmarks, and infrastructure. They are to be respected and kept safe while on the job. Sadly, all too often ironworkers are hurt or killed in what investigations reveal to be preventable accidents. Please be careful out there!
