According to the Association of General Contractors of America (“AGC”), the construction industry has more than 680,000 employers, with a workforce of over 7 million employees, which construct nearly $1.3 trillion worth of structures each year. The measures taken to protect this workforce, while simultaneously driving this “hands-on, blue-collar” profession forward, as rapidly and profitably as possible, all too often lead to injuries and fatalities. When looking for “statistics on injuries in the workplace” in Illinois, one would think the best source for workplace injuries and therefore construction accidents would be found within an Illinois agency such as the Illinois Department of Labor. Unfortunately (in my opinion), while it works with and provides data to U.S. agencies, the State of Illinois itself doesn’t appear to be interested in keeping track of “construction” related injuries and/or fatalities (other than for Workers’ Compensation claims) or is not very transparent with the public about such facts as it relates to its Illinois construction workforce.
As construction accident attorneys who are committed to helping you pursue your claim to rightful compensation, you can reach out to us for a consultation about the details of the case. Our services have been useful to clients from areas such as Orland Park, Chicago Heights, Tinley Park, Matteson, Frankfort and Park Forest, IL.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. BLS) of the “5,250 fatal work injuries occurring in 2018 —184 [35% of the nationwide total of 5,250 fatalities] occurred in Illinois.” (U.S.BLS News Release of 2/6/20). The inherent dangers in this blue-collar industry, which lead it to such high a level of injuries and work fatalities for Illinois workers is not discriminatory. It may surprise you to know that of the 184 Illinois work fatalities in 2018, 126 fatalities happened to white, non-Hispanic workers, and of those, 92% happened to men. Id. Of the worker fatalities happening in 2018, “1,008 (or 21.1%) were in construction – i.e., “one in five worker deaths were in construction.”(U.S. Dept of Labor, OSHA). The 4 leading causes of private sector worker deaths (excluding highway collisions) in the construction industry were:
- Falls;
- Being struck by an object;
- Electrocution; and
- “Caught in between.”
Of the 4 types of construction accidents’ “causes” listed above, the “falls” category – in terms of “project type,” residential housing projects experienced a higher portion of fall accidents. (Journal of Construction Engineering and Management/Volume 143, Issue 8 – August 2017). Also, “more than 80% of fall accidents occurred from a height of less than 39 feet; and only 11% of the fall accident victims were properly equipped with fall protection”. Id.
U.S. Department of Labor’s (OSHA) published statistics also show that in 2015, there were (on average) more than 93 fatalities per week occurring in this private sector industry. The foregoing statistics establish a sad, yet simple (mathematical) truth, i.e., the construction industry (which only constitutes 6% of the American workforce) accounts for 21.4% of the American workforce deaths!! At McDermott & McDermott, Ltd., “Injuries Matter” and we wage never-ending litigation on behalf of injured workers to get them FULLY compensated for their injuries.
The medical bills relating to construction accidents often are very high, and significant lost wages accrue during the (generally) long periods of recovery. Workers’ Compensation may pay medical bills and some (no more than two-thirds) of lost wages, but the Workers’ Compensation Act is not geared to pay for your pain and suffering, loss of normal life, etc. that a personal injury is geared to pay to you.
When you come to us for a Worker’s Compensation claim, we always carefully check all facts pertaining to the accident, to see if some aspect of your case might allow us to file some other cause of action, such as a third-party action for the same injuries, thereby getting far better compensation for you than you would otherwise receive in a Workers’ Compensation claim.
Call us today AT 708-747-9440
For more information on our personal injury services and legal representation for your case.