An employee who works in an office every day experiences a different work environment than a construction worker. Erecting or renovating buildings or homes requires physical labor and many hours outside in all kinds of weather conditions. It can also involve heavy and large machinery such as tractors or forklifts. This can pose significant risks to workers, even if proper safety precautions are taken. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), in 2018, one out of five worker deaths were in the construction industry. Even if a construction accident does not result in a fatality, it can cause serious injuries.

Safety Hazards

Due to the nature of the work, construction companies and contractors have a certain set of safety standards to follow. If an employer is negligent in following these rules, accidents can and do take place. There are four main incidents that are the leading cause of fatal construction worker injuries. These are referred to as the “Fatal Four.”

Falls: Many construction workers perform their job on scaffolding or ladders. Falling from elevated heights can result in broken bones and head trauma. Construction companies must inspect their equipment and tools to make sure they are in proper working order. In addition, liquid spills that are not cleaned up can cause an employee to slip and fall. Regulating protective gear such as safety harnesses and hard hats is the responsibility of the employer.

Many people use public transportation on a daily basis to get to and from school, work, church, and even the grocery store. Mass transit is prevalent in big cities or urban areas. This form of transportation can include buses, elevated trains, ferries, and subways. They provide a convenient and easy way to get around, especially if someone does not feel like driving. However, since these vehicles and trains are typically operating in traffic, they are often more likely to be involved in a collision with other automobiles or pedestrians. A mass transit accident can cause serious to fatal injuries due to the sheer size of the vehicles and the number of passengers in them. If you are the unfortunate victim of a mass transit crash, you may be able to seek compensation for your pain and suffering depending on the circumstances that caused it.

Causes of Crashes

There can be many reasons why a car, bus, or train accident occurs. In some cases, it can be due to the negligent actions or inactions of a motorist. For example, an inexperienced or a fatigued driver can lose control of his or her vehicle, causing it to collide with another automobile, a person, or even a building. In other situations, the manufacturer or repair technician may fail to adequately inspect a mass transit part or engine.

Below are a few of the typical reasons for a mass transit accident:

One of the most common types of car crashes in the United States is rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions may not seem very dangerous, but they can cause extensive damage to your vehicle and injuries ranging from whiplash to broken bones and even death in some situations. In most cases, it is fairly easy to determine who is at fault in a rear-end collision. In other cases, assigning responsibility for the accident is not so easy. If you are in any type of car accident, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

Determining Fault

Securing legal representation is crucial after a rear-end collision. It can get very expensive very quickly for needed repairs on your vehicle and medical bills and/or lost wages from your injuries. You and your attorney will discuss what happened during the accident and determine if the other person is liable for the damages you have sustained. Basically, there are three different options when it comes to assigning fault in a rear-end collision:

Rear driver is at fault: In a majority of rear-end collisions, the driver in the back is the responsible party. Many times, rear-end collisions occur because the rear driver is not paying attention to the road. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of rear-end collisions.

Filing and winning a personal injury case is no easy feat. There are many legal steps you must go through, paperwork that must be filled out, meetings with your attorney, doctor’s visits, court appearances; the list goes on. After all the time and effort you put into succeeding in a personal injury lawsuit, the last thing you would want to do is to ruin it by somehow decreasing your credibility or having your case thrown out completely, yet it is not uncommon for this to happen. Even just a simple slip of the tongue can affect the outcome of your personal injury case. If you are pursuing compensation for an injury, make sure you do not make these common mistakes.

Not Following Doctor’s Orders or Attending Appointments

Right after you are injured, you should get emergency medical attention if necessary, but you should at least visit a doctor to begin a record of medical treatment. Your doctor will give you a plan of action for your recovery and it is important that you follow his or her instructions. Your medical records will be used in your case and ignoring the doctor’s orders or skipping appointments can make it seem like you may not be as injured as you say you are.

Posting About Your Case on Social Media

In today’s day and age, social media is a big part of many people’s daily lives. It can only feel natural to share your experiences on your Facebook or Twitter feed, but this can actually be detrimental to your case. If you reveal the wrong details to the wrong people, your case can be greatly impacted. For example, if you claim that you have been unable to work during your recovery, yet you or someone else has posted photos of you spending time outside of the house, your credibility may be decreased.

Accidents are called accidents for a reason -- they happen unexpectedly. When it comes to accidents that occur on private property in Illinois, accidents can range from slipping on ice and snow in the winter to drowning in a swimming pool. Premises liability is the idea that property owners are responsible for accidents that occur on their property. The Illinois Premises Liability Act contains information about responsibility and negligence when it comes to maintaining property and allows those who are injured on another’s property to pursue compensation.

Owner Responsibilities

The Premises Liability Act states that property owners have a duty to those who are on their property to take “reasonable care under the circumstances regarding the state of the premises or acts done or omitted on them.” This means that property owners are required to ensure their property is physically safe for others to be on. It also means that property owners are responsible for overseeing the acts of others while they are on their property.

Elements of a Successful Premises Liability Case

If you have been hurt while on another’s property, you may have grounds for a premises liability lawsuit. There are certain elements that must be present in order to have a successful outcome of a premises liability case. To win a premises liability case, you must prove that: