The construction industry is one of the more dangerous industries in which to work, whether it be in Chicago or anywhere. There is heavy machinery, heights from which one could fall as well as intentional and unintentional explosions.
A 25-year-old construction worker was injured at a Lawndale job site. The Chicago Fire Department initially speculated that the worker’s torch may have set off an explosion which started a fire. The 25-year-old was critically injured with burns, according to news sources.
The call for help came at about 5:35 in the early evening hour. A construction crew was working on a rehab project for the strip mall located in the 1800 block of South Kostner Avenue. The fire or explosion caused a portion of the building to collapse. It was not reported whether or not the injured worker was trapped under the collapsed portion of the building. No other injuries were reported.
Burn injuries are among the most painful of injuries and when they are severe, people are sometimes placed in an artificially induced coma. The extent of the 25-year-old’s burns were not reported other than the fact that he is in critical condition. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment.
When someone is injured in a workplace accident, that person is typically eligible for workers’ compensation benefits from either the employer directly, or from the employer’s insurance company. In this case, the 25-year-old may be eligible for compensation for his medical expenses, rehab costs, lost wages and potentially compensation for disfigurement and permanent scarring.
If he is unable to return to work in any capacity, he could be eligible for permanent total disability (PTD).
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