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Crane Accident Attorney in Chicago

A Family-Run Firm That Has Recovered Over $250 Million for Injured Clients

A crane accident can change a life in seconds. One moment a worker is on a normal shift; the next, they’re facing emergency surgery, weeks in the hospital, and months without a paycheck. If you or someone in your family is dealing with that reality after a crane incident in Chicago, you don’t have to sort it out alone.

At Driscoll Law Group, we’re a small, family-operated personal injury law firm based in Chicago. Our attorneys work directly with injured clients to understand what happened and map out what comes next. With more than $250 million recovered in settlements and verdicts, we bring that track record to every case we handle. Chicago’s construction market keeps cranes active year-round, from tower cranes over downtown high-rises to mobile cranes serving infrastructure work along the lakefront and transit corridors, and we know the kinds of cases that come with it.

We know you may be worried about mounting medical bills, lost income, and pressure from employers or insurers. We offer free consultations so you can get clear information about your rights before making any decisions.

Schedule a free consultation to learn how our Chicago crane accident attorneys can help you and your family. Call (312) 626-3008 to get started.

Choose a Firm That Gets Results

A Proven History Of Success

$1,250,000 Construction Accident
Construction accident settlement in Champaign County.
$1,070,000 Construction Accident
Construction worker sustains ankle fracture while working on job site.
$105,000 Dangerous Property and Products
Plaintiff, minor, sustains compression injury at unprotected construction site.

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Common Causes of Crane Accidents on Chicago Job Sites

Chicago’s construction activity spans dozens of active sites at any given time. Tower cranes rise above high-rise projects in the Loop, mobile cranes move materials at industrial yards along the river, and heavy equipment supports infrastructure work on major roads and transit lines. Across all of those environments, a single failure, whether mechanical, human, or environmental, can put workers and bystanders at serious risk. Understanding what went wrong is the first step toward accountability.

Common causes of crane accidents include:

Improperly secured or rigged loads
Overloading beyond the crane’s rated capacity
Improper maintenance or skipped inspections
Improper assembly or disassembly
Inadequate operator training or lack of certification
Contact with overhead power lines
Crane design or manufacturing defects
Unstable ground or uneven crane setup
Communication failures between the operator, signal person, and ground crew
Dangerous weather conditions affecting crane stability

Our role is to uncover the cause, identify who bore responsibility for safe operations, and pursue accountability through the civil legal system.

Who May Be Responsible for a Crane Accident

Many injured workers are told that workers’ compensation is their only option after a crane incident. Workers’ compensation benefits matter, but they’re often not the only source of recovery. Crane operations typically involve multiple companies: equipment suppliers, general contractors, subcontractors, and property owners. When one of those third parties acts carelessly, additional claims may be possible alongside your workers’ comp benefits.

Parties who may bear responsibility in a crane accident include:

Crane operator: May be responsible for operating under the influence, failing to follow OSHA crane safety regulations, or disregarding established safety standards.
Crane manufacturer: May be liable if a design or manufacturing defect contributed to the accident under Illinois product liability law.
General contractor: May be responsible for failing to maintain a safe worksite or adequately supervise crane operations.
Property owner: May be liable for failing to address hazardous site conditions that contributed to the accident.
Crane rental or leasing company: May share fault for renting equipment in a poorly maintained or unsafe condition.
Rigging subcontractors: May face claims for unsafe rigging practices that caused or contributed to a load failure.

We gather and review all available evidence to identify every party who should be held accountable, not just the most visible one. That broader approach to third-party liability claims can make a meaningful difference in what’s available to help you and your family recover.

Injuries & Compensation in Illinois Crane Accident Cases

Crane accidents rank among the most physically devastating events on any job site. The injuries they produce are often catastrophic: traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and paralysis, severe burns from contact with overhead power lines, amputations from crushing or entanglement, multiple fractures, and internal organ damage. Many victims face emergency surgery followed by months of rehabilitation, and some sustain permanent impairments that end careers entirely.

The compensation available depends on how the claim is structured. Illinois workers’ compensation benefits can cover medical expenses, temporary total disability payments, vocational rehabilitation, and permanent disability benefits, without requiring proof that your employer was at fault. When a negligent third party caused or contributed to the accident, a separate personal injury lawsuit may seek additional damages for pain and suffering, loss of normal life, permanent disfigurement, and loss of consortium. In cases involving reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available. If the accident was fatal, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim for loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other harms recognized under Illinois law.

The Illinois Legal Framework for Crane Accident Claims

Several statutes directly shape what claims are available after a crane accident in Illinois and how long you have to act. Here is what matters most:

Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/): Provides medical and wage-replacement benefits for workplace injuries without requiring proof of employer negligence. The Act generally bars a direct lawsuit against your employer, but it doesn’t bar claims against responsible third parties.
Personal injury statute of limitations (735 ILCS 5/13-202): Injured workers generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can permanently bar recovery.
Workers’ compensation filing deadline: Workers’ compensation claims carry a separate three-year statute of limitations from the date of accident, or two years from the last payment of benefits, whichever is later.
Wrongful death statute of limitations: If the accident was fatal, the lawsuit must generally be filed within two years of the date of death.
Illinois comparative negligence (735 ILCS 5/2-1116): An injured party can still recover damages if their share of fault doesn’t exceed 50%; compensation is reduced in proportion to their share of fault.
Illinois product liability law (735 ILCS 5/2-621): If a defective crane or rigging system caused the accident, the manufacturer may be held strictly liable without proof of negligence. Distributors and sellers may also be named initially, though non-manufacturing defendants can seek dismissal by certifying the manufacturer’s identity.
Contingency fee representation: Crane accident attorneys in Illinois typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning no upfront legal fees are required. The attorney is paid a percentage of any recovery.

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Why Injured Workers Choose Our Chicago Crane Accident Lawyers

After a serious job site incident, many people feel like they’re being pushed through a system they don’t control. We operate differently. As a small, family-operated firm, our clients know the attorneys handling their case and can reach them when questions come up.

Clients choose us for our:

Track record of success: We’ve recovered more than $250 million in settlements and verdicts for injured clients and their families, including a $1,250,000 construction accident settlement and a $1,070,000 result for a construction worker with an ankle fracture.
Direct attorney involvement: You work with your attorney throughout the process. We don’t route clients through case managers or hand off files to support staff for key decisions.
Tailored guidance: Our attorneys stay closely involved, explain each step in plain language, and develop strategies that fit your specific situation.
Recognized attorneys: Sean P. Driscoll has been recognized by Super Lawyers from 2017 through 2026, by Rising Stars from 2009 through 2016, and by Best Lawyers. Courtney M. Driscoll has been recognized by Super Lawyers Rising Stars from 2019 through 2026.
Bilingual representation: We provide legal services in English and Spanish.
Free consultations: Speak with our team at no cost to understand your options after a crane accident.
24/7 availability: We’re reachable around the clock when you need answers.

Don’t handle your crane accident claim alone. Call our Chicago team at (312) 626-3008 for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Crane Accident Lawyer If I Already Have Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is an important source of medical care and wage replacement after a job site injury, but it isn’t always the only option. In some crane accident cases, other companies beyond your direct employer may have played a role in causing the incident. When that happens, third-party claims against equipment owners, contractors, or manufacturers may be possible in addition to your workers’ comp benefits. A crane accident attorney can review the facts and explain whether those additional claims apply to your situation.

Will I Work Directly with an Attorney or Mostly with Staff?

When you hire our firm, you work directly with a Chicago crane accident attorney from start to finish. We’re a small, family-operated practice, and we don’t route clients through layers of case managers. Our attorneys stay actively involved from the initial consultation through every key decision in your case.

What If My Family Member Was Killed in a Crane Accident?

Losing someone to a job site accident is one of the hardest things any family can face. Illinois law allows certain family members or representatives to bring a wrongful death claim against the parties responsible for the incident. These claims can seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other harms recognized under Illinois law.

How Long Do I Have to File a Crane Accident Lawsuit in Illinois?

For a personal injury lawsuit, the deadline is generally two years from the date of injury. Workers’ compensation claims follow a separate schedule, and wrongful death lawsuits must typically be filed within two years of the date of death. These deadlines are strict, and missing them can permanently bar any recovery. The full breakdown appears in the Illinois legal framework section above, but the short answer is: speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the incident.

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Reviews & Testimonials

Our Firm Puts You First

"I was extremely fortunate to have them representing me."
I was very pleased by the dedication of the Driscoll Law Group in my case. Sean, Courtney, and Laurence Van Der Horst were extremely professional from the very beginning of my case.

- Karen G.
"Compassionate, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable."
I’m incredibly grateful for his hard work and the professionalism of the entire Driscoll Law team. If you need an attorney who genuinely cares and delivers results, this is the firm to call.

- Dwayne P.
"I was very happy with his dedication to me and am very pleased with the result."
My family and I were provided security for our future as a result of Sean’s hard work.

- John R.
"Sean put tremendous efforts into our personal injury case."
Sean’s knowledge of the Law and procedure was extremely impressive. The way he handled our case throughout the process assured us at all times that he always cared for our wellbeing and best interests.

- Robert E.
"His confidence and experience were desperately needed in the midst of the most difficult experience of our lives."
I have no doubt that his skill as a trial lawyer during the two week trial allowed me and my family to be awarded fair compensation that will last for the rest of our lives.

- Blaine W.
"Highly recommend."
If I even need help again in his area of expertise I am 100% giving him a call.

- Nicholas R.
"He will fight tooth and nail for you and your family to get the compensation that you deserve."
Sean Driscoll is a bull when it comes to getting the justice his clients deserve. He will fight tooth and nail for you and your family to get the compensation that you deserve.

- Tom S.
"Communication was frequent and transparent."
As my lawsuit ended Mr. Driscoll was very helpful and informative in leading me in the right direction that was best for my future.

- David J.

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The Right Firm Makes a Difference

Why Clients Choose Driscoll Law Group

24/7 Help Available
Whenever you need our lawyers, we're here to help you.
Providing Service in Spanish
Legal support provided by a Spanish-speaking team.
Hundreds of Millions Recovered for Injured Victims
Work with a law firm that has a history of success.
We Provide Free Consultations
Learn how our injury lawyers can help during a free consult.
Personalized Service and Attention
Our clients work directly with their attorney.
A Boutique Firm With Big Results
We've recovered over $250 million on behalf of our clients.