If you were hurt on a job site, our Berwyn construction accident lawyers are ready to stand with you and fight for the compensation you deserve. At Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys, we understand how a single moment on a scaffold, a ladder, or a busy work zone can change your health, your income, and your family’s future.
We are Jack Kennedy and Daniel Watkins, two Chicago-area personal injury attorneys who work together on every case we take. When someone else’s carelessness leaves you injured, you deserve a legal team that investigates thoroughly, answers every question, and holds the responsible parties accountable.
Over the years, we have recovered millions of dollars for injured people and grieving families, and we bring that same preparation to every construction claim. We know the Cook County courts, the local job sites, and the tactics insurers use, and we put that knowledge to work for you.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we will travel to meet you anywhere in Illinois, whether you are at home, in a hospital, or still recovering. Call us today at (312) 448-8181 for a free consultation, and let us carry the legal weight while you focus on getting better.
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How Can a Berwyn Construction Accident Lawyer Help After a Job Site Injury?
A Berwyn construction accident lawyer can investigate your injury, identify every party who may be responsible, and pursue compensation beyond what workers’ compensation alone provides. Construction cases are rarely simple, and the right preparation can make a real difference in your recovery.
A single job site often brings together a general contractor, several subcontractors, a property owner, and equipment suppliers. Any one of them may share responsibility for what happened to you, so our first job is to look at the full picture.
We collect evidence, review safety records, speak with witnesses, and work with a network of qualified professionals who can explain how your injury occurred and what it will cost you over time. This kind of investigation is often what separates a fair recovery from a lowball offer.
Depending on the facts, we may pursue a workers’ compensation claim, a separate lawsuit against a negligent third party, or both at the same time. Coordinating those claims correctly can significantly increase what you recover, and it is one of the reasons having a lawyer involved early matters so much.
We also handle the paperwork, the deadlines, and the difficult conversations with insurance companies, so you can focus on healing. From your first phone call through the resolution of your case, both of us stay personally involved.
Who Is Responsible for a Construction Accident in Berwyn?
Responsibility for a construction accident in Berwyn often falls on parties other than your direct employer, which is why identifying every at-fault party matters so much. The party that signs your paycheck is not always the party that caused your harm.
Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, you generally cannot sue your own employer for a work injury. However, construction sites are crowded with different companies, and a third party’s carelessness may be the true cause of your injury.
When we investigate a job site injury, we look closely at who controlled the conditions that led to your accident. Depending on the facts, the parties who may share liability include:
- General contractors who failed to enforce safety standards across the site
- Subcontractors whose crews created a hazard, such as an exposed live wire
- Property owners who allowed a dangerous condition to remain
- Equipment manufacturers whose defective tools, hoists, or harnesses failed
Pinpointing the responsible party takes a careful review of contracts, site records, and the chain of command on the project. Once we know who is accountable, we build a claim designed to recover the full compensation available to you.
Common Construction Site Accidents We Handle
We handle the full range of construction injuries, including the four hazards that cause most serious job site harm: falls, being hit by objects, electrocutions, and caught-in or caught-between accidents. Federal safety officials group these leading dangers together, and each one can leave a worker with life-changing injuries.
The four most common categories of serious construction injury include:
- Falls from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, and unguarded edges
- Being hit by falling tools, materials, or moving equipment
- Electrocutions from live wires, power lines, or faulty equipment
- Caught-in or caught-between injuries during demolition, excavation, or machinery work
Beyond these four, we also represent workers hurt by trench collapses, crane failures, and repeated strain from heavy lifting. Burn injuries, fires, and explosions are a core focus of our practice, and we understand how devastating they can be for a worker and their family.
No two job site injuries are alike, so we treat every case with the individual attention it deserves.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Construction Accident Claim?
In a third-party construction accident claim, you may recover compensation for both your financial losses and the personal toll of your injury, often reaching beyond what workers’ compensation provides. Illinois law recognizes two broad types of damages.
Economic damages cover measurable costs, while non-economic damages account for the human impact of a serious injury. Depending on your situation, a third-party claim may allow you to recover:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and physical suffering
- Emotional distress and loss of a normal life
- Loss of consortium for a spouse
When a construction accident takes a worker’s life, we help surviving families pursue a wrongful death claim. For those families, a claim is not about money. It is about justice, accountability, and securing the resources loved ones need to move forward.
We calculate the true, long-term value of your losses so that no part of your recovery is left on the table.
Illinois Construction Injury Laws You Should Know
Illinois construction injury claims turn on three key areas: the state’s workers’ compensation system, strict filing deadlines, and the comparative negligence rule. Understanding these laws early can protect both your health and your claim, so we break each one down in plain language below.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act provides no-fault benefits, which means you can receive medical coverage and partial wage replacement regardless of who caused your injury. To protect these benefits, you generally must report your injury to your employer within 45 days. Workers’ compensation is valuable, but it does not pay for pain, suffering, or the full extent of your lost income.
Filing Deadlines for Your Claim
Deadlines differ depending on the type of claim, and missing one can end your case. A third-party personal injury lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the date of injury under Illinois law. A workers’ compensation claim carries a separate timeline, generally three years from the date of injury, so acting promptly keeps every option open.
Comparative Negligence in Illinois
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence model, which applies to a third-party lawsuit rather than to your no-fault workers’ compensation benefits. In a third-party claim, you can still recover damages as long as your share of fault is less than 50 percent, though your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility, as the Illinois Department of Insurance explains.
Your workers’ compensation benefits, by contrast, are generally paid regardless of your own carelessness, so being partly at fault does not cut them off. We will show you exactly how both rules apply to your case and work to keep any blame from being unfairly placed on you.
Why Choose Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys?
Injured workers choose us because they get two dedicated attorneys, around-the-clock access, and a track record of substantial results, all with no fee unless we win. We are not a large firm with rotating associates.
Jack and Daniel work together on every case, so you get two sets of eyes and twice the preparation without paying a dollar more. Here is what that commitment looks like:
- Two attorneys on every case, from the first call through resolution
- Availability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with travel anywhere in Illinois
- No up-front costs and no fees unless we recover compensation for you
- Deep familiarity with the Cook County court system and the local insurers
Our results reflect the way we prepare. We have secured verdicts, including $34,000,000 in a wrongful death apartment fire case and $7,365,000 for a family whose father was killed in a truck accident on the Dan Ryan expressway. Past results afford no guarantee of future outcomes, but they show our commitment to fighting for injured people.
If you are looking for construction accident lawyers in Berwyn who will treat your case seriously, call us today at (312) 448-8181 for a free consultation.
Call (312) 448-8181 for a Free Consultation
Talk With a Construction Accident Lawyer in Berwyn Today
You do not have to face a job site injury on your own. At Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys, we are with you, on your side and by your side, from your first call through the resolution of your case.
Our Berwyn construction accident attorneys will investigate what happened, deal with the insurance companies, and fight for the full compensation you and your family deserve. We proudly serve injured workers across Berwyn, Cicero, Maywood, Oak Park, and communities throughout the Chicago area.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we will travel to meet you wherever you are. Call us today at (312) 448-8181 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation.
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FAQ
FAQs Answered by a Berwyn Construction Accident Lawyer
How much does it cost to hire a Berwyn construction accident lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no up-front costs and no hourly charges. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you, and your first consultation is free and confidential.
Do I have a case if I already filed for workers' compensation?
Possibly, yes. Workers’ compensation and a third-party injury claim are separate paths, and one does not cancel out the other. If a party other than your employer contributed to your injury, we can pursue additional compensation while your workers’ comp benefits continue.
What should I do if an insurance company offers me a settlement?
Speak with a lawyer before you accept or sign anything. Early offers are often far lower than the true value of a serious injury, and once you settle, you usually cannot reopen the claim. We review offers, calculate your full losses, and negotiate for a fair result.
How long does a construction accident case take?
Every case is different, and the timeline depends on the severity of your injuries, the number of parties involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some claims resolve in months, while more complex cases can take longer. We keep you informed at every stage.
Will my construction accident case go to trial?
Many cases settle out of court, but not all of them. When an insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take your case to trial, and we have the courtroom experience to do so. That readiness often strengthens our position during negotiations.
What if a loved one died in a construction accident?
We are deeply sorry for your loss, and we handle these cases with great care. A wrongful death claim is not about money. It is about accountability and securing the support your family needs during an unimaginably difficult time.
Can you meet with me if I cannot travel to your office?
Yes. We come to you. If you are recovering at home or in a hospital anywhere in Illinois, we will travel to meet you, and we are reachable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when you need us.