The #1 Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer

Eric Terry leads our Chicago Construction Accident legal team at TorHoerman Law.

With extensive experience in workplace injury and construction litigation, Eric is known for his aggressive yet thoughtful approach to representing workers injured on the job.

He ensures that every client receives a personalized legal strategy tailored to the complex nature of construction site injury cases, including those involving OSHA violations, contractor negligence, and third-party liability.

At TorHoerman Law, we take a collaborative approach to every personal injury case we handle.

Instead of assigning one attorney, we assemble a dedicated team of construction accident lawyers who contribute their unique experience and legal insight.

This team-based method ensures we address every angle of your claim—whether it involves unsafe scaffolding, falling objects, machinery malfunction, or negligent contractors.

By combining our experience and legal resources, we maximize the support and results we deliver to our clients.

Our Chicago construction injury team includes:

• Steve Davis: With over three decades of experience, Steve is a powerful advocate for injured workers. His deep litigation background makes him an essential force in construction accident cases involving complex liability and severe injury.
• Jake Plattenberger: A partner at the firm, Jake leads our Chicago office with an emphasis on personal injury and trial work. He has taken more than 35 cases to jury verdict and brings unmatched courtroom experience to our construction injury team.
• Chad Finley: With a background in both legal and medical assessment, Chad helps clients who suffer long-term injuries on construction sites. He is especially skilled in evaluating damages that account for ongoing treatment and disability.
• Tyler Schneider: As managing partner, Tyler plays a vital leadership role in firm strategy and case oversight. His commitment to the Chicago community and strong relationships within the legal system help advance every client’s case.
• Rachal Rojas: Rachal oversees client support and intake, ensuring that every injured worker receives timely, compassionate guidance from the first call to case resolution. Her communication and attention to detail reflect our client-first approach.

Whether you’re a construction worker injured by falling debris, a site visitor hurt by hazardous conditions, or a subcontractor injured due to another party’s negligence, TorHoerman Law is here to help.

Our team of Chicago construction accident lawyers is ready to fight for your right to compensation.

Our Founder: Tor Hoerman

Tor Hoerman, the founder of TorHoerman Law, has built a nationally recognized personal injury law firm dedicated to advocating for injured individuals and their families.

Under his leadership, the firm has secured over $4 billion in verdicts and settlements, helping clients across the country recover the compensation they deserve.

Tor is widely respected for his commitment to holding powerful corporations accountable through strategic litigation and his deep involvement in mass tort and personal injury cases.

His relentless pursuit of justice has positioned him as a trusted leader in the legal community.

Today, TorHoerman Law proudly serves clients from offices in Edwardsville, IL; Chicago, IL; St. Louis, MO; and Atlanta (Marietta), GA.

Chicago’s skyline is constantly evolving, with cranes, scaffolds, and earth-moving equipment shaping the city’s dynamic construction scene.

Each day, construction workers, subcontractors, and passersby navigate sites filled with hidden dangers, from towering heights to live electrical lines and shifting debris.

The sheer scale of development across neighborhoods exposes countless workers to risk, where even minor missteps can lead to catastrophic consequences.

In Chicago, the bustling activity and frequent construction zone turnover amplify hazards, making vigilance and safety training more vital than ever.

Amid the noise and pace of progress, a single lapse in protocol or equipment failure can transform a routine task into a life-altering accident.

How Common are Construction Accidents in Chicago?

Construction remains one of the most hazardous industries in the country, and Illinois is no exception.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023 Illinois recorded 145 fatal work injuries, with falls, slips, and trips accounting for 17% of these workplace deaths.

Construction workers bear a disproportionate burden: nationally, the construction industry accounted for 169,600 nonfatal occupational injuries or illnesses in 2022, translating to an incidence rate of 2.4 cases per 100 full-time workers.

Construction workers face daily risks from a variety of dangerous conditions.

Accidents can happen suddenly and often involve complex layers of liability, ranging from contractors and site managers to equipment manufacturers.

Identifying the type of accident is a critical first step in investigating the cause, assessing injuries, and determining who may be held accountable.

Each category of incident below connects to specific legal strategies and dedicated resources for victims.

Common types of construction site accidents include:

• Ladder Accidents
• Crane Accidents
• Demolition Accidents
• Equipment Accidents
• Chemical Exposure
• Falls From Heights
• Electrical Accidents
• Trench Collapses
• Silica Dust Exposure
• Heat Stress
• Struck-By Accidents
• Caught In/Between Accidents

Other incidents may involve lack of proper safety equipment or violations of labor law standards when contractors fail to provide a safe working environment.

Each of these construction site accidents can result in complex legal issues, including personal injury claims, workers compensation claims, and sometimes wrongful death claims.

An experienced construction accident attorney can help determine liability and guide you through the legal process.

Common Construction Accident Injuries

Construction sites are some of the most dangerous workplaces in the United States.

Workers face daily exposure to heavy machinery, hazardous materials, elevated work surfaces, and unstable structures.

When safety protocols fail or negligence is involved, the injuries sustained can be life-altering.

Many injured workers suffer long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences.

Some of the most common injuries seen in construction accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – Caused by falls, struck-by incidents, or falling objects
• Spinal cord injuries – Often result from falls from ladders, scaffolding, or platforms
• Broken bones and fractures – Frequently occur due to equipment failures, slip and falls, or being struck by heavy objects
• Amputations – Typically linked to machinery accidents or crush injuries
• Crush injuries – Result from being pinned between objects, vehicles, or collapsing structures
• Burn injuries – From electrical accidents, explosions, chemical spills, or fires
• Lacerations and deep cuts – Common from exposed metal, sharp tools, or equipment malfunctions
• Internal bleeding or organ damage – Often goes unnoticed initially but can be fatal without treatment
• Eye injuries – Caused by flying debris, chemical exposure, or lack of protective eyewear
• Hearing loss – Long-term exposure to high-decibel machinery or explosive noise levels
• Heatstroke or hypothermia – Resulting from extended exposure to extreme weather without proper gear
• Repetitive stress injuries – Long-term injuries from overuse of tools or improper ergonomics
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Psychological trauma after witnessing or surviving a severe incident
• Fatal injuries – In cases of falls from significant heights, electrocutions, or major structural failures

These serious injuries often lead to costly medical expenses and lost income, especially if the injured worker cannot return to their previous job.

Construction worker deaths, though tragic, also remain a reality on many job sites.

Whether you’re dealing with temporary disability or permanent impairment, a personal injury lawsuit filed by a knowledgeable Chicago construction accident lawyer can help you recover compensation to support your recovery and future stability.

Construction accident cases can involve multiple legal paths depending on how the accident happened and who was responsible.

Injured construction workers may be eligible to pursue various claims, including personal injury lawsuits, product liability claims, and wrongful death claims in the most tragic situations.

An experienced Chicago construction accident lawyer can help injured workers, surviving family members, and others through the legal process and pursue compensation from negligent parties such as construction companies, equipment manufacturers, or site owners.

Personal Injury Claim

A personal injury claim is one of the most common legal actions following a construction accident.

These claims are typically filed by injured construction workers or visitors to the construction site who were harmed due to negligence.

If a construction site owner, general contractor, or subcontractor failed to provide reasonable and adequate protection or ignored known hazards, they may be held liable in a personal injury lawsuit.

With help from an experienced construction accident attorney, victims can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Personal injury claims are vital for holding negligent parties accountable and protecting others from similar construction site accidents.

Product Liability Claim

If a construction injury was caused by defective equipment, machinery, or safety gear, the injured party may be eligible to file a product liability claim.

This type of lawsuit targets construction companies, manufacturers, or distributors responsible for providing faulty tools, scaffolding, or protective gear.

Under construction accident law, companies that produce defective products can be held accountable when their negligence leads to serious construction accidents.

Injured workers pursuing a product liability claim often seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and long-term disability caused by malfunctioning or dangerous construction equipment.

Wrongful Death Claim

When a fatal construction accident results in the loss of a loved one, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim.

These lawsuits allow families to pursue financial compensation for funeral costs, lost wages, and the emotional toll of losing a provider.

Construction worker deaths are tragically common in high-risk environments like New York City construction or Chicago job sites, often stemming from falling objects, electrocution, or equipment failure.

A Chicago construction accident lawyer can help families navigate the complex legal process and hold responsible parties accountable.

Wrongful death claims also serve to highlight safety failures and demand reform within the construction industry.

Workers Compensation Claim vs. Personal Injury Lawsuit

Workers’ compensation and personal injury lawsuits are two different legal paths for injured construction workers—but they offer very different outcomes.

Workers’ comp is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t need to prove your employer did anything wrong, but the trade-off is limited compensation: it typically only covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages.

On the other hand, a personal injury lawsuit allows you to seek full compensation, including for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the total value of lost income or future care needs.

You may also pursue a claim against a third party, like a subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, if their negligence contributed to your injury.

These third-party cases are often where injured workers can recover the most substantial damages.

An experienced construction accident attorney in Chicago can evaluate your case and determine whether you’re eligible for more than workers’ comp alone.

If you’ve been injured on a construction site, you may qualify for a lawsuit depending on the cause of the accident and who was responsible.

Most injured workers are eligible for workers compensation benefits, but you may also have a valid third-party claim if someone other than your employer contributed to the accident.

For example, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners can all be held liable if inadequate safety precautions or defective equipment caused your injury.

Unlike workers’ compensation, which only covers limited benefits, a personal injury lawsuit can allow you to pursue full compensation for pain and suffering, future medical expenses, and more.

Workers are protected from hazardous working conditions, including falls from heights, electrical hazards, and lack of protective gear.

If Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards were violated, and that violation contributed to your injury, you may have strong grounds for a lawsuit.

Construction workers hurt on-site should speak with a construction injury lawyer to determine whether Illinois labor law or federal safety regulations were breached.

An experienced Chicago construction accident lawyer can investigate your case and help you understand your legal options beyond workers’ comp.

Gathering Evidence for a Construction Accident Injury Claim

Evidence is critical to building a strong construction accident case, especially if you’re pursuing a third-party personal injury claim.

Proving that a third party’s negligence or unsafe conditions caused your injury requires detailed documentation and legal support.

A skilled construction site accident lawyer can help gather and preserve this evidence before it’s lost.

Evidence includes:

• Photos or videos of the construction site and hazardous condition
• Incident reports filed at the time of the accident
• Medical records showing injuries and treatments
• Witness statements from coworkers or supervisors
• OSHA citations or safety violations related to the site
• Employment records and safety training documents
• Expert testimony on safety regulations and site conditions

Damages in Construction Accident Cases

Damages in a construction accident lawsuit reflect the physical, emotional, and financial impact of your injury.

While workers compensation insurance only covers some lost wages and medical bills, a third-party lawsuit can help you pursue the full range of damages you’ve suffered.

A knowledgeable construction accident attorney will work with experts to assess both current losses and future medical expenses when calculating your claim.

Types of damages may include:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Costs of rehabilitation or physical therapy
• Disability or disfigurement
• Punitive damages (in cases of extreme negligence)

At TorHoerman Law, we understand the serious impact construction accidents can have on workers and their families.

From catastrophic injuries to financial strain caused by missed work and mounting medical bills, these incidents often leave victims overwhelmed and unsure where to turn.

Our team of Chicago construction accident lawyers is committed to helping injured workers pursue the compensation they deserve through every available legal avenue.

Whether your case involves a fall from scaffolding, a machinery malfunction, or a violation of occupational safety standards, our attorneys will investigate thoroughly and build a case that holds the right parties accountable.

We’ve handled claims involving both workers’ compensation benefits and complex third-party lawsuits, and we understand the nuances of Illinois labor law, OSHA regulations, and local safety codes that apply to your situation.

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we secure a recovery for you.

When you work with TorHoerman Law, you get a team with a proven track record in construction injury litigation and a commitment to protecting your future.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a dedicated construction accident attorney in Chicago, or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

Let us fight for your recovery while you focus on healing.