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Curb and Gutter Paver Accidents

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.
Construction is one of the most dangerous careers in America, with one in ten construction workers injured each year while working on the roads, infrastructure, and buildings across the country. This often involves the use of dangerous and heavy equipment such as curb and gutter pavers.
Curb and gutter pavers come in many sizes and varying degrees of versatility, including form-riding pavers, curb-and-gutter machines, and slip form machines. Some of these machines can not only produce a variety of cross-sections for curbs and gutters, but also median barriers, sidewalks, bridge parapets, and other shapes as well. While curb and gutter pavers are a necessary and efficient tool in the paving industry, they do not come without risks of serious, and sometimes deadly accidents and injuries.
If you have been injured in a curb and gutter paver accident, contact Mike Agruss Law for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, Mike Agruss Law is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

Curb and Gutter Paver Risks

Typical curb and gutter pavers weigh 12,000-15,000 pounds, although smaller machines do exist. No matter what size of the paving machine being used, the operator should be thoroughly trained in its usage, as well as how to quickly stop the paver in the event of an issue. The emergency stop system should never be bypassed, the machine should be checked frequently for hydraulic leaks or other issues that could affect the safety of the paver, a routine maintenance schedule should be followed, and any curb and gutter paver that is defective in design and/or manufacture should never be used. Improper usage of any heavy equipment or using a machine that is unsafe puts not only the operator at-risk for injuries but also poses a risk to bystanders as well.
The most common injuries seen in curb and gutter paver accidents include:
  • Bruises
  • Lacerations
  • Fractures
  • Abrasions
  • Amputation
  • Crushing injuries
  • Severe burns
  • Permanent disabilities
  • Head, neck, and spinal injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Death

Liability in Construction Accidents

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH ACT), employers have an obligation to maintain a safe working environment and follow the regulations of OSHA. If the employer, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or another employee fails to follow the appropriate standards of care and their actions or inactions cause an accident, they could be liable for the injuries and damages their negligence caused.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits, including medical and rehabilitation expenses, partial wages, and disability benefits to an injured worker regardless of who was at-fault for the accident. Workers compensation does typically prohibit an employee from suing their employer for the accident, however, there may be other options including filing a claim against a negligent third-party, such as a subcontractor, vendor, defective equipment designer and/or manufacturer, or general contractor who is not the employee’s direct employer.
Construction accidents are often complex, involving multiple parties and defendants. This is why it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyers to determine your rights under Illinois law.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, the personal injury lawyers at Mike Agruss Law can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 1,000 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 135 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected] or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.

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