A fatal jobsite incident can leave your family facing an immediate loss and difficult financial decisions. Fatal construction accidents in Chicago may involve falls, struck-by events, equipment failures, electrocution, or unsafe site conditions. A workers’ compensation claim could provide death benefits to eligible surviving family members without requiring proof that the employer caused the accident.
The process is not automatic, and insurers may dispute whether the death arose from employment, who qualifies as a dependent, or how benefits should be calculated. At Schlack & Bassmaji, our compassionate construction accident attorneys examine the employment record, accident evidence, and family dependency issues so that your claim is positioned to secure compensation that helps you support your family. Contact us today to begin fighting for the compensation your loved one and your family deserves.
Under 820 Illinois Compiled Statutes 305/7, eligible surviving family members may receive death benefits when a workplace accident results in an employee’s death. The amount and duration of those payments depend on the worker’s earnings and family circumstances. Burial expenses and certain later benefit adjustments may also be available. Our team could identify the proper beneficiaries and gather the wage records needed to calculate the applicable rate.
Construction employment may involve several businesses with different responsibilities. Important records could be held by the general contractor or another company working at the site. Our attorneys obtain that evidence, address inconsistencies, and pursue death benefits for Chicago families affected by fatal incidents on a construction site.
Workers’ compensation generally addresses an employer’s statutory responsibility, but the circumstances may also support a civil claim against a negligent party outside the employment relationship. Under 740 ILCS 180/1, liability may arise when a death results from a wrongful act, neglect, or default. When our Chicago legal team investigates a construction-related death, they examine whether a third party contributed to the incident.
A third-party claim may provide compensation for losses that workers’ compensation does not cover. We examine both potential claims together and preserve evidence from the construction site. We also determine how responsibility was divided among the companies involved. Careful coordination helps protect the family’s position throughout each legal proceeding.
Prompt notice and timely filing are essential after a fatal construction accident. Under 745 ILCS 10/8-101, most civil actions against a local public entity or its employees must be filed within one year of the injury or the date the claim accrued. A municipal project or government-owned property may therefore create a shorter deadline than the family expects.
Medical evidence may also become important when the worker received treatment before death. Illinois law generally permits an injured employee to choose a medical provider, subject to preferred provider program rules and limits on provider changes.
Our team maintains relationships with physicians who may provide necessary care and wait for payment until the claim concludes. When examining fatal construction incidents, our Chicago attorneys use the medical records to show how the work injury and resulting treatment affect the claim. Our bilingual team also explains the evidence and legal process clearly to Spanish-speaking families.
After a fatal workplace incident, each available claim should be considered in light of the family’s financial needs. Families dealing with Chicago fatal construction accidents need a clear strategy that protects their rights and supports long-term stability. We review the circumstances of the death before determining which sources of compensation may be available and how the claims should proceed.
You can speak with our attorneys about the next steps and the evidence needed to protect your family’s position. Schlack & Bassmaji communicates with insurers, addresses disputed issues, and pursues compensation to help ensure greater stability for your family. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation and discuss your case.
