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Utility workers have important jobs to keep our basic systems working by repairing electrical lines, fixing natural gas leaks, and running internet and phone cables. However, while utility companies and third parties are supposed to keep workers safe from injury, innocent workers often get injured because of another person’s careless, reckless, or negligent actions.

Utility worker accidents in Elgin frequently leave workers badly injured and facing expensive medical care costs. When you sustain injuries in an incident of this nature, you deserve to pursue appropriate compensation. A hardworking workers’ compensation attorney at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could help with this process. Let an experienced Elgin utility worker accident lawyer represent your best interests.

Common Utility Company Accidents

Utility workers do important but often dangerous work. These employees face unique hazards and severe injuries because of the materials they work with. In many cases, these injuries may be valid grounds to file a civil claim. To prove a claim for monetary damages, an injured person must demonstrate how a utility accident occurred. Common causes of service worker injuries include the following:

  • Explosions from punctured gas lines
  • Severed utility lines in excavations
  • Product defects in equipment or vehicles
  • Motor vehicle accidents involving utility company vehicles
  • Exposure to gas or other dangerous substances
  • Electrocution from downed power lines or malfunctioning transformers
  • Falls from heights, ladders, or electrical poles
  • Crane and bucket truck injuries

A knowledgeable attorney in Elgin could help injured utility workers determine how an incident occurred and hold the responsible parties liable for the harm they caused.

Who is Responsible for the Utility Worker Accident?

Many parties could bear responsibility for a utility worker accident. Some of the most common include:

Utility Companies

Service companies are often responsible for accidents involving their workers. For example, their failure to supervise, maintain equipment, or properly train employees could cause an accident. In these situations, injured employees can file a claim against their employer—usually through the Workers’ Compensation Act.

Sometimes, accidents on the job may be compensable even if a worker’s actions contributed to their own injuries.

Third-Party Claims

Third-party claims arise when another party is responsible for an accident other than the utility worker’s employer. These parties may include:

  • Subcontractors or other companies working on the site
  • Intentional acts by others or a fellow employee
  • Drivers who hit a utility worker while they are on the job
  • Manufacturers of defective products that cause the injury

These situations may warrant a third-party lawsuit. Third-party claims are treated like other personal injury cases and are filed directly against the negligent party. Unlike workers’ compensation cases, third-party lawsuits are not limited to economic damages. A diligent attorney in Elgin could evaluate what type of claim an injured utility worker should file for their accident and demand appropriate compensation.

Reach Out to an Attorney in Elgin After Utility Worker Accidents

As a utility worker, you deserve to have your rights protected. You deserve to be protected from harm and compensated when you are not. The party responsible for causing your injuries should also have to pay for what you have been through.

For help with utility worker accidents in Elgin, reach out to our attorneys with over 30 years of experience with cases like yours. Call today to learn more.

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