Table of Contents
Being struck by a falling object can cause catastrophic injuries in seconds. Whether the accident occurred on a construction site, inside a warehouse, at a retail store, or on another unsafe property, victims often face mounting medical bills, lost income, and a long recovery. If another party's negligence caused your injuries, you may have the right to pursue compensation.
At Conboy Law, our Chicago falling object injuries lawyer will investigate your case, identify every liable party, and fight for the financial recovery you deserve. Call (312) 376-4291 today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Conboy Law for Your Chicago Falling Object Injury Case?
A serious falling object accident can leave you with lasting physical, emotional, and financial hardships. At Conboy Law, we understand the challenges injury victims face and are committed to helping them pursue the compensation they need to move forward. Our legal team thoroughly investigates every case and aggressively advocates for our clients throughout the claims process.
When you choose our firm, you benefit from:
- Extensive experience handling serious personal injury claims
- Thorough investigations to determine how the accident occurred
- Careful identification of every liable party
- Collaboration with safety experts and other professionals when necessary
- Skilled negotiations with insurance companies
- Trial-ready representation if a fair settlement cannot be reached
- No attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you
How Can a Chicago Falling Object Injury Lawyer Help?
Falling object injury claims often involve complex questions about negligence, property maintenance, workplace safety, and liability. An experienced attorney can investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, protect your legal rights, and pursue every available source of compensation.
Investigate How the Accident Happened
Determining why an object fell is essential to building a successful claim. Our legal team reviews accident reports, surveillance footage, maintenance records, inspection logs, witness statements, and other evidence to uncover what caused the accident and who may be responsible.
Identify Every Liable Party
Responsibility for a falling object accident may extend beyond one individual or business. Depending on the circumstances, property owners, contractors, subcontractors, employers, maintenance companies, or other parties may all share liability. Identifying every responsible party helps maximize your potential recovery.
Gather Critical Evidence
Strong evidence is the foundation of every successful personal injury claim. We work quickly to preserve photographs, surveillance video, maintenance records, incident reports, and other evidence before it is lost or destroyed. When necessary, we also consult with engineers, workplace safety experts, and other professionals to strengthen your case.
Fight for Maximum Compensation
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts after serious accidents. Our attorneys carefully evaluate your medical expenses, lost income, future treatment needs, pain and suffering, and other damages to pursue the full compensation you deserve under Illinois law.
Where Do Falling Object Accidents Commonly Occur?
Falling object accidents can happen in many different environments where materials, equipment, or merchandise are stored, transported, or used overhead. Identifying where the accident occurred often helps determine who may be legally responsible for your injuries.
Construction Sites
Construction workers are frequently exposed to falling tools, building materials, equipment, and debris. When contractors fail to secure overhead materials or follow proper safety procedures, workers and bystanders can suffer devastating injuries.
Warehouses and Distribution Centers
Warehouses often store heavy products on elevated shelving and rely on forklifts and other equipment to move inventory. Improperly stacked merchandise, overloaded shelves, or careless material handling can cause objects to fall unexpectedly.
Retail Stores
Customers and employees may be injured when merchandise falls from shelves, displays, or storage racks. Businesses have a responsibility to inspect their premises and correct dangerous conditions before someone gets hurt.
Commercial Buildings
Office buildings, parking garages, apartment complexes, and other commercial properties may present falling object hazards due to poorly maintained fixtures, damaged building components, or unsecured equipment. Property owners who fail to address these hazards may be held liable for resulting injuries.
Loading Docks
Loading docks involve the constant movement of freight, pallets, and heavy materials. Improper loading practices, unsecured cargo, or negligent equipment operation can cause objects to fall and seriously injure nearby workers.
Public Sidewalks and Building Exteriors
Pedestrians can be injured by falling bricks, concrete, glass, signs, construction materials, or other debris from buildings. Property owners and contractors have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent these hazards from endangering the public.
How Do You Prove Negligence in a Falling Object Injury Case?
To recover compensation, you must show that another party's negligence caused your injuries. At Conboy Law, we build strong claims by gathering evidence to prove the following elements:
- Duty of Care: The responsible party had a legal duty to maintain a reasonably safe property or work environment.
- Breach of Duty: They failed to meet that duty by allowing hazardous conditions, failing to secure objects, or ignoring known safety risks.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the falling object accident and your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other compensable damages, because of the accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Falling Object Injury?
Determining liability is one of the most important aspects of a falling object injury claim. Depending on how the accident occurred, multiple individuals or companies may share responsibility. Identifying every liable party helps maximize the compensation available to injured victims.
Property Owners
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors, tenants, customers, and others lawfully on their property. Failing to repair dangerous conditions, secure overhead objects, or conduct routine inspections may result in liability if someone is injured.
Construction Companies
Construction companies are responsible for maintaining safe job sites and following established safety practices. When they fail to properly secure tools, materials, or equipment, they may be held accountable for injuries caused by falling objects.
Contractors and Subcontractors
General contractors and subcontractors often work simultaneously on construction projects. If one contractor's negligence creates a dangerous condition that leads to a falling object accident, that company may be liable for the resulting injuries.
Employers
Employers have a responsibility to provide a reasonably safe workplace, proper training, and appropriate safety equipment. While workers' compensation often limits lawsuits against employers, they may still play an important role in an injured worker's overall recovery.
Equipment Manufacturers
If defective equipment, safety devices, shelving systems, or other products contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or another company involved in the product's distribution may be liable under Illinois product liability laws.
Can You Sue After a Falling Object Injury in Illinois?
Many people assume their only option after a workplace accident is workers' compensation. However, depending on the circumstances, you may also have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent third party.
Premises Liability Claims
If a property owner's negligence caused the accident, you may be able to file a premises liability claim. These cases often involve unsafe property conditions, inadequate maintenance, or the failure to address known hazards that resulted in falling object injuries.
Workers' Compensation Claims
Employees injured by falling objects while performing their job duties may qualify for workers' compensation benefits. These benefits may cover medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, and disability benefits regardless of who caused the accident.
Third-Party Personal Injury Claims
If someone other than your employer contributed to the accident, you may also have a third-party personal injury claim. Responsible parties may include contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, maintenance companies, or other negligent businesses or individuals.
When Multiple Claims May Apply
Some injury victims may qualify for both workers' compensation benefits and a third-party personal injury lawsuit. Pursuing both claims may provide significantly greater financial recovery, particularly when the accident results in catastrophic injuries or permanent disabilities.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
A serious falling object injury can affect every aspect of your life. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for both your financial losses and the personal impact of your injuries.
Compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of normal life
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members, when applicable
Our attorneys carefully calculate the full extent of your damages to pursue the maximum compensation available under Illinois law.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Seek medical attention immediately, report the accident, preserve any evidence, and speak with an experienced attorney before accepting an insurance settlement.
Yes, if a negligent third party contributed to your injuries. An attorney can determine whether you have both a workers' compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit.
The deadline depends on the type of claim. Because time limits vary, it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Liability may include property owners, contractors, employers, equipment manufacturers, or other negligent parties, depending on how the accident occurred.
Every case is different. Compensation depends on factors such as your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and the impact the accident has had on your life.
Contact Our Chicago Falling Object Injuries Lawyer for a Free Confidential Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered injuries after being struck by a falling object, you should not have to bear the financial burden of someone else's negligence. Whether your accident occurred at a construction site, warehouse, retail store, or another property, having experienced legal representation can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your claim.
At Conboy Law, we thoroughly investigate falling object accidents, identify every responsible party, and aggressively pursue the compensation our clients deserve. We are committed to protecting your rights while you focus on your recovery.
Call (312) 376-4291 today for a free consultation, and let our experienced Chicago falling object injuries lawyers help you move forward with confidence.
