Illinois construction worker meets terrible end with bulldozer
On behalf of Jeffrey Frederick of Frederick & Hagle posted in Construction Workers’ Accidents on Thursday, September 27, 2012.
The preliminary findings of an Illinois construction worker’s autopsy tell a grizzly tale of a fatal and terrifying workplace accident. Reportedly, the 53-year-old construction worker showed evidence of several fractures riddled throughout the entirety of his body, in addition to sever trauma to his skull. The fatal injuries came in the wake of the victim being run over by a reportedly-operated bulldozer.
The Illinois accident took place a week ago along U.S. Route 24 in Washington, Illinois. The circumstances surrounding this tragedy remain under investigation by the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Occupational Health and Safety Administration and others. The conclusion of their report could have a significant impact for the family of the victim.
While construction work is inherently more dangerous than most professions, workers and their families are protected by workers’ compensation in the event that a workplace accident leads to injury or death.
However, if it is found that a third party’s negligence caused the accident, the third party could be held liable through a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim. Workers’ compensation only serves to cover medical expenses and lost wages. It does nothing to account for the emotional and physical suffering of an injured worker or the family of a killed worker.
Holding negligent third parties accountable could mean additional compensation for victims and their respective families. This compensation would cover emotional pain and suffering, because when your father or husband is run over by a bull dozer, receiving the equivalent of their paycheck may not feel much like justice served.
Source: Peoria Journal Star, “Worker Suffered multiple fractures in bulldozer accident,” Sept. 21, 2012
- Our firm has handled similar cases of construction workers killed on the job. To learn more, please visit our Illinois wrongful death page.
