Construction is one of Chicago’s biggest industries. With thousands of job sites, there’s a high demand for workers to help build, demolish, and refurbish buildings across the city.
Although construction is a popular job choice for many Chicagoans, this field is also one of the most dangerous. Injuries on construction sites are common due to the many hazards that exist.
Large machinery and heavy tools pose a significant threat to the health and safety of employees. Slips and falls are also dangerous accidents that can result in severe injuries and even death.
However, one category that often falls under the radar is “caught in/between accidents.”
If you or a loved one suffered a stuck-in/between injury, you might be eligible to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. The team at Hale & Monico is dedicated to pursuing workplace injury claims and fighting for the rights of injured workers in Chicago. Call us today for a free consultation.
Caught-In/Between Accidents Explained
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), caught-in/between accidents are a broad range of serious workplace injuries that may occur accidentally or due to negligence and equipment malfunctions. These accidents include any situation where a worker becomes pinned or crushed in or between objects.
Job sites often feature large and heavy elements. Some of the most common machines and equipment involved in caught-in/between accidents include:
- Bulldozers
- Tanks and containers
- Pallets
- Trenches
- Walls and structures
- Rubble
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the construction industry had the highest rate of fatalities in 2023, accounting for roughly 20.3% of all workplace deaths in the country.
The top three causes of all construction-related fatalities included falls, electrocutions, and being struck by objects.
Types of Caught-In/Between Accidents
According to OSHA, caught-in/between accidents involve a person becoming caught, crushed, compressed, or pinched between objects or structures.
Vehicular Accidents
Different vehicles are used across the construction industry. From cars to trucks to industrial machinery for digging and demolishing, it’s rare to visit a job site without seeing a vehicle.
OSHA ranks vehicular accidents as some of the most common examples of caught-in/between accidents. Whenever a worker is struck by a vehicle, they can become pinned or trapped between other objects and the injuries can be fatal.
Machinery Accidents
Often, machinery used in construction sites can trap workers and lead to severe injuries. Boom lifts, excavators, and even hand-powered tools can cause workers to become pinned or trapped, especially when the machinery is heavy.
Trench Collapses
Excavation is one of the industry’s most dangerous tasks. Digging trenches, wells, and other holes into the earth poses a risk, especially when walls collapse.
In some cases, workers can become trapped under dirt and debris. These accidents are often the most fatal. OSHA considers trenching and excavation one of the riskiest trades.
Falling Objects
Large-scale construction projects, such as commercial structures and skyscrapers, require massive foundations built from big support beams. These heavy objects and other similarly sized materials have been known to fall and crush workers.
Preventing Injuries from Caught-In/Between Accidents
State and federal labor laws require employers to engage in due diligence to protect workers from getting crushed, pinned, or caught between objects.
Although not every accident is preventable, construction site management can take special precautions to reduce the likelihood of injuries.
Some standard methods to keep job sites safe include:
- Providing proper safety training
- Using protective equipment
- Giving warning signs and safety nets
- Holding regular safety inspections
Sadly, negligent companies, contractors, and service providers often fail to meet safety standards.
Common Injuries from Caught-In/Between Accidents
Because the severity of caught-in/between accidents varies, injuries can present themselves in many ways.
Some of the most common injuries related to caught-in/between accidents include:
- Fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Limb amputation
- Internal bleeding
- Cuts and contusions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
If you suffer a workplace injury, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. Although filing a workers’ compensation claim requires evidence such as medical records, proceeding with a third-party negligence lawsuit is far more complex.
A lawsuit involving any injury sustained as a result of a negligent third party (such as a cleaning service, loading company, or off-site driver) will require far more evidence in order to prevail in court.
How a Construction Injury Lawyer Can Help
Construction injuries can be life-changing and sometimes take months or even years to heal. In some cases, permanent disability can arise from a caught-in/between accident.
A lawyer can help you navigate a workers’ compensation claim and determine whether a lawsuit is necessary. Some of the damages you may be entitled to include:
- Lost wages
- Hospital bills
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care
- Disfigurement and scarring
Negligence can cost someone their life, and those responsible should be held accountable.
Chicago Caught-In/Between Attorneys
Hale & Monico represents construction site injury claims in Chicago and across Illinois. Contact us today for a free case review if you were injured at work.