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Restoring Dignity & Control After An Injury 

Construction zone fatality follows third-party negligence

On Behalf of | Sep 26, 2018 | Construction Accidents |

Workers in construction zones in Illinois and other states will always be vulnerable. Too many lives are lost due to third-party negligence when motorists fail to take due care as they travel through work zones. The accidents continue to happen despite calls by authorities for drivers to slow down when they encounter road construction zones.

A 61-year-old worker lost his life in such an accident earlier this month. According to the Illinois State Police, a car struck a construction worker who was part of a crew working on the Tri-State Tollway. A crash report indicates that a driver who was traveling through the work zone failed to maintain control of his car and crossed into a closed-off construction area.

The driver crashed into a construction vehicle that was unoccupied after first striking the worker. Reportedly, the driver suffered no more than minor injuries. Sadly, the worker was less fortunate. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office reported that he was rushed to an area hospital with critical injuries to which he succumbed later.

Any Illinois family who loses a loved one in a workplace accident might be eligible for death benefits through the Illinois workers’ compensation insurance program. However, in a case such as this, it might be a good idea to consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to explore the option of also filing a civil lawsuit, claiming third-party negligence against the driver. This might yield compensation for more than the workers’ compensation survivor’s benefits that typically cover only medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and a portion of lost wages.

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