Workers in the construction industry face certain risks that employees who work in an office or corporate setting do not. Whether it is building a new house or a skyscraper, the labor can be physical and often dangerous. Construction jobs also involve heavy equipment and power tools so it is important to follow proper safety procedures. 

Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that approximately 150,000 construction site injuries occur each year. The BLS also reported that even though falls make up the majority of these accidents, equipment malfunctions also significantly contributed to causing injuries to employees. Unfortunately, construction site accidents can happen and they can cause serious injuries and deaths.

Safety First

Any type of construction site must follow strict rules and regulations for safety reasons. These procedures are monitored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There are certain standards that are frequently violated in the construction industry. Below are some of the common construction site safety issues that if not properly addressed or followed, can cause an accident with injuries:

Accidents of any type can result in serious injuries, but in some cases, they can also cause the wrongful death of the victim. The loss of a beloved relative can traumatize a family for years. It can be difficult to accept his or her untimely demise at the hands of another person. This can be especially true if the incident was preventable and was caused by a negligent party’s wrongdoing. 

In certain situations, such as a homicide, the death may have been caused intentionally. Regardless of whether the death was the result of a motor vehicle accident or medical malpractice, the deceased person’s surviving spouse and next of kin may be entitled to monetary compensation. In some cases, this may be particularly important if the victim was the sole provider of the family’s income. It is important to know what constitutes wrongful death and how to seek damages for this type of tragedy.   

Illinois Wrongful Death Act

The Illinois Wrongful Death Act specifically defines “wrongful death” of a victim and various aspects of filing a claim, such as: 

For some people, enjoying a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, roller-coaster, or other ride is the highlight of a trip to an amusement park or fair. For others, just the thought of riding one of these rides is enough to put knots in their stomach. While the vast majority of amusement park, carnival, and fair rides are completely safe, accidents do happen. Sometimes a ride glitches because it has not been properly maintained. Other times, a ride operator makes a mistake and causes a malfunction.

 Whatever the reason, ride accidents are usually horrifying for the individuals on the ride as well as spectators watching from the ground. When negligent design, manufacture, construction, or operation is the cause of a ride accident which causes injury or death, a personal injury lawsuit can help recover damages.

Broken Track Being Blamed for Roller-Coaster Breakdown

An Illinois woman is reportedly out of the hospital after falling from a roller-coaster last month. The 45-year-old woman was attending the Plainfield Fest carnival when she decided to ride a roller coaster called the Iron Dragon. Another passenger on the Iron Dragon said, “Things started to feel really unstable. It felt like we sloped inward and crashed down… I saw a woman fly by me.”  Fortunately, the woman only fell about five feet. She was treated at a local hospital and released the same day. The accident is currently being investigated by the Illinois Department of Labor, Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division.

It is no secret that riding a motorcycle is extremely dangerous and could result in permanent or fatal injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,172 motorcyclists were killed in accidents in 2017. While driving a motorcycle is dangerous regardless of the situation, there are some preventative safety measures that can be taken to better protect yourself while riding on the roads.

What Can I Do Before Getting on my Motorcycle?

Driving a motorcycle requires different skills than operating your average car does. Motorcycle licenses are required in addition to a typical automobile driver’s license. One should spend ample time practicing in a controlled space before heading to busier roads. Inexperienced drivers can be the most dangerous.

Like any vehicle, motorcycles must be checked to ensure that everything is in proper working order. Many do not self-check their cars after taking them to the mechanic for a routine checkup. Motorcycle drivers should be taking additional measures. The NHTSA suggests checking the tire pressure and tread depth, hand and foot brakes, headlights and signal indicators, and fluid levels before riding your motorcycle.

Many people enjoy riding their bicycles in the summer, especially after a long winter. In Illinois, cyclists must obey the same traffic laws, signs, and signals that apply to motor vehicles. For example, bicyclists are required by law to ride in the same direction as vehicle traffic. However, even though bikes have the same rights as other vehicles, cyclists are much more likely to be injured in a motor vehicle collision.

Road rage is one issue that can have a significant impact on bicyclists. An aggressive driver who strikes a bicycle is likely to cause serious or fatal injuries. If you are hurt while riding your bike due to a road rage incident, you should seek legal advice and learn about your options for pursuing compensation from the driver who injured you.