AURORA CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
Construction Injuries in Aurora Are Preventable. When They Happen, We Fight Back.
Phillips Law Offices has been fighting for injured construction workers across Illinois since 1945. Our attorneys handle falls, struck-by accidents, electrocution, equipment defects, and all construction site injuries in Aurora and throughout Kane and DuPage County.
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Get an honest assessment of your Aurora construction injury case. No fees unless we win.
(312) 346-4262
Aurora’s Construction Boom and the Workers Paying the Price
Aurora is the fastest-growing major city in Illinois and it shows on every block. The I-88 corridor from Aurora to Naperville is lined with cranes, scaffolding, and heavy equipment as new commercial developments, residential subdivisions, and infrastructure projects reshape the Fox Valley. Downtown Aurora is in the middle of a multi-year revitalization effort. Route 59 is perpetually under construction as road widening and intersection improvements struggle to keep pace with population growth.
All of this growth means thousands of construction workers on job sites across Aurora every day. When general contractors cut safety corners, when subcontractors fail to provide adequate fall protection, and when equipment manufacturers sell defective machinery, workers get hurt. OSHA reports that the construction industry accounts for the highest number of workplace fatalities every year.
Phillips Law Offices has represented construction accident victims since 1945, recovering more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements. Every consultation is free, you pay nothing unless we win.
The OSHA “Fatal Four”: Leading Causes of Construction Deaths
OSHA identifies four categories of hazards that account for the majority of construction worker fatalities. These same hazards are present on Aurora construction sites every day.
Falls
Falls are the number one cause of death in construction. Roofers, ironworkers, and scaffolding crews working on Aurora’s new developments face fall risks every day. OSHA requires fall protection for any work at six feet or higher. When contractors fail to provide guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems, they violate federal law, and when a worker falls, the contractor and property owner may face third-party liability beyond workers’ compensation.
Struck-By Accidents
Workers struck by falling objects, swinging loads, moving vehicles, and equipment account for the second-highest category of construction deaths. On Aurora’s active sites, particularly large-scale projects along the I-88 corridor and downtown revitalization area, workers operate in close proximity to cranes, forklifts, dump trucks, and suspended loads. Inadequate hard hat requirements and poor communication between operators and ground crews contribute.
Electrocution
Construction workers come into contact with live electrical systems more frequently than workers in almost any other industry. Electricians wiring new buildings, workers using metal ladders near overhead power lines, and operators maneuvering cranes near electrical infrastructure face electrocution risks. Aurora’s growth means new electrical installations on virtually every site, and when proper lockout/tagout procedures are not followed, the results are catastrophic.
Caught-In/Between Accidents
Workers caught in or compressed by equipment, caught between objects, or trapped in collapsing structures face some of the most violent injuries in construction. Trench collapses during excavation, workers caught in unguarded machinery, and workers crushed between vehicles and fixed objects all fall into this category. These accidents are almost entirely preventable with proper trench shoring, machine guarding, and work zone traffic control.
Workers’ Comp Alone Is Never Enough for Serious Construction Injuries
Third-party claims can recover full damages including pain and suffering, far beyond what workers’ compensation provides. Get a free evaluation to learn all your options.
(312) 346-4262
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims: Why You May Be Owed More
Most construction workers injured on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. But workers’ comp has significant limitations, it does not compensate for pain and suffering, it caps wage replacement at two-thirds of your average weekly wage, and it does not punish the negligent parties. A third-party personal injury claim provides substantially greater compensation.
Who Are Third Parties on a Construction Site?
On a typical Aurora construction project, multiple companies work simultaneously. If any party other than your direct employer caused or contributed to your injury through negligence, you can file a third-party lawsuit. Common defendants include:
- General contractors who fail to maintain safe site conditions or enforce OSHA compliance
- Other subcontractors whose negligence creates hazards for workers from different trades
- Property owners who knew about dangerous conditions on their land
- Equipment manufacturers whose defective products cause injuries
- Equipment rental companies that lease poorly maintained machinery
- Architects and engineers whose design errors create dangerous conditions
What to Do After a Construction Accident in Aurora
STEP 1
Get Emergency Medical Treatment
Rush Copley Medical Center on Ogden Avenue is the closest major hospital to most Aurora construction sites. For severe injuries such as crush injuries, falls from height, or electrocution, call 911 immediately. Document your injuries with photographs from the beginning and throughout your treatment.
STEP 2
Report the Accident to Your Employer and OSHA
Illinois law requires you to notify your employer of a work injury within 45 days. Report the accident in writing and keep a copy. For serious injuries, OSHA requires employer reporting within 24 hours. OSHA investigations can produce findings that strengthen your third-party claim.
STEP 3
Preserve Evidence from the Job Site
Construction sites change rapidly. The scaffold you fell from may be dismantled the next day. Defective equipment may be removed or repaired. Photograph the accident scene, the equipment involved, any safety violations, and your injuries. Get names from witnesses. Phillips Law Offices sends preservation letters to all parties immediately.
STEP 4
Contact Phillips Law Offices Before Signing Anything
After a construction accident, your employer’s workers’ comp insurer, the general contractor’s insurance, and other parties will contact you. Do not provide recorded statements, sign authorizations, or accept settlement offers without legal counsel. You may have third-party claims worth significantly more than workers’ compensation alone.
Construction Accident Case Results
Phillips Law Offices has obtained significant compensation for construction workers injured on the job across Illinois.
$25 Million
Verdict for catastrophic injuries on a construction site. Our investigation established that the general contractor and property owner failed to implement required safety protocols.
$7 Million
Settlement for a construction worker injured in an equipment malfunction. Investigation revealed the manufacturer knew about the defect and failed to issue an adequate recall.
$4.5 Million
Settlement in a fall-from-height case where a subcontractor failed to provide required fall protection. OSHA investigation findings supported our client’s claim of systemic safety violations.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
Illinois Construction Accident Law: Key Rules
Workers’ Compensation: Nearly all Illinois employers must carry workers’ comp insurance. Benefits include medical expenses, temporary total disability (TTD) at two-thirds of your average weekly wage, permanent partial disability (PPD), and permanent total disability (PTD). Workers’ comp is no-fault, you do not need to prove negligence.
Third-Party Liability: Unlike workers’ comp, third-party claims allow full damages including pain and suffering, full lost wages (not capped), and potentially punitive damages. Any party on the construction site other than your direct employer can be a third-party defendant.
Statute of Limitations: Third-party claims have a two-year deadline from the date of injury (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Workers’ comp claims must be filed within three years. Meeting both deadlines is critical.
Multi-County Jurisdiction: Aurora spans Kane, DuPage, Will, and Kendall Counties. Where your construction site is located determines jurisdiction. Phillips Law Offices has experience in all relevant courts. Read our complete guide to personal injury claims in Illinois for additional legal context.
Why Aurora Construction Workers Choose Phillips Law Offices
Construction companies treat worker safety as a cost to be minimized. When that approach leads to a catastrophic injury, we hold every responsible party accountable, the general contractor, the subcontractor, the equipment company, the property owner.
, Stephen D. Phillips, Senior Partner
Phillips Law Offices has represented injured construction workers for decades, building cases that involve OSHA violation evidence, engineering expert testimony, equipment defect analysis, and intricate liability relationships. Our downtown Chicago office is easily accessible from Aurora via I-88.
- Over $500 million recovered for injured clients since 1945
- Five experienced trial attorneys including Stephen D. Phillips (41+ years)
- Deep experience with OSHA regulations and construction safety standards
- Product liability expertise for defective equipment claims
- Coordination of workers’ comp and third-party claims for maximum recovery
- Contingency fee basis, no fee unless we recover compensation for you
Aurora Local Resources
Rush Copley Medical Center: 2000 Ogden Ave, Aurora, IL 60504, (630) 978-6200. Full emergency department.
OSHA Chicago North Area Office: 701 Lee St, Suite 950, Des Plaines, IL 60016, (847) 803-4800. File construction safety complaints.
Kane County Circuit Court: 37W777 IL Route 38, Geneva, IL 60134, (630) 232-3413. 16th Judicial Circuit.
DuPage County Circuit Court: 505 N County Farm Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187, (630) 407-8700. 18th Judicial Circuit.
Illinois State Bar Association: Resources for finding qualified attorneys and understanding your legal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions from Aurora construction workers about injury claims under Illinois law.
Can I sue someone other than my employer after a construction accident?
Yes. While workers’ compensation is your exclusive remedy against your direct employer, you can file a third-party lawsuit against any other party whose negligence contributed to your injury. Common defendants include the general contractor, other subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and rental companies. Third-party claims allow full damages including pain and suffering.
What are the most common construction accidents in Aurora?
Falls from scaffolds, roofs, and ladders are most common, particularly on new developments along the I-88 corridor and in downtown Aurora. Struck-by accidents from falling materials and moving equipment, electrocution during new building wiring, and caught-in/between accidents during excavation are also common.
How does workers’ compensation work for construction injuries in Illinois?
Workers’ comp covers medical expenses, temporary total disability (two-thirds of your average weekly wage), and permanent disability benefits. It is no-fault, but does not cover pain and suffering or full lost wages, which is why third-party claims are critical for serious construction injuries.
What is the statute of limitations for construction accident claims?
Third-party claims have a two-year deadline from the date of injury. Workers’ compensation claims must be filed within three years of the accident or two years from the last compensation payment. Meeting both deadlines is essential to preserving your full range of recovery.
Can I file a claim if defective equipment caused my construction injury?
Absolutely. Under Illinois strict liability law, the manufacturer is liable if the product was defective and unreasonably dangerous. You can also sue the equipment rental company. Product liability claims do not require proof of negligence, Phillips Law Offices has handled numerous construction equipment defect cases.
How do OSHA violations affect my construction accident claim?
OSHA violations are powerful evidence of negligence. If OSHA finds safety standard violations related to your accident, such as missing fall protection, inadequate trench shoring, or missing machine guards, those findings support your claim. Phillips Law Offices reviews OSHA citation history for the companies involved.
How much does it cost to hire a construction accident lawyer?
Phillips Law Offices handles all construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We advance all case costs. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.
I’m an undocumented worker. Can I still file a claim?
Yes. Illinois law protects all workers regardless of immigration status. Undocumented workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and can file third-party personal injury lawsuits. Your immigration status cannot be used against you in court.
Talk to an Aurora Construction Accident Lawyer Today
(312) 346-4262
Related: Construction Accident Lawyer | Workers’ Compensation | Wrongful Death Lawyer | Aurora Personal Injury Lawyer | Aurora Car Accident Attorney | Stephen D. Phillips | Complete Guide to PI Claims | Verdicts & Settlements
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Contact Phillips Law Offices for a free consultation.