If you or someone you love was hurt in a fall, tip-over, electrocution, or other incident involving a scissor lift, boom lift, or cherry picker, our Chicago aerial lift accident lawyer team is here to help you recover compensation and move forward. Contact us for a free consultation.
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’ve earned a reputation as a top-rated construction accident law firm in Chicago by consistently delivering results for workers and families after catastrophic accidents. We are recognized by respected legal organizations such as:
In one case, our client Marcus, a Chicago electrician, was working from an aerial lift on a West Loop job site when the equipment struck an unmarked live power line. He suffered severe electrical burns, requiring multiple surgeries and long-term rehab.
We discovered the site lacked proper safety protocols and clearance markings. By holding the general contractor and property owner accountable, we secured $10.5 million to cover Marcus’s medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Our attorneys handle cases involving the following lift tyoes.
Boom lifts are the most versatile models on a construction site. They come in two main types: articulating and telescopic.
Articulating boom lifts have arms that can bend, making them perfect for reaching over obstacles and into tight spots. On the other hand, telescopic boom lifts can extend straight out, offering a longer reach but less flexibility.
Scissor lifts are all about stability and height. These platform lifts move straight up and down, like an accordion, and are commonly used indoors and outdoors. But as safe as they seem, scissor lift accidents can still happen, especially if the lift is overloaded or not operated correctly.
Personnel lifts, often called vertical lifts, are smaller and more portable than boom and scissor models. They’re typically used for maintenance and light construction tasks that don’t need the heavy-duty capabilities of larger lifts.
Understanding the common causes of these accidents is critical to improving aerial lift safety on construction sites. Some of the most frequent causes include:
An aerial lift accident can cause many serious injuries and affect the lift operator and others on the construction site. Here are some of the most common injuries that might occur in these incidents:
Victims of aerial lift accidents may be eligible to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Our firm regularly pursues damages such as:
The average aerial lift accident payout is approximately $3.4 million, with a median of $1.6 million. Settlement values can range from $100,000 to over $19 million. Key factors that influence settlement amounts include:
Jason, a 42-year-old construction supervisor, was using an aerial lift to trim trees when the lift suddenly tipped, throwing him to the ground. He suffered open fractures to both legs, repeated infections, and eventually required a below-knee amputation. Despite extensive surgery and rehabilitation, he became wheelchair-dependent and unable to return to work. The jury awarded over $9.7 million.
While working on a casino construction site, Timothy, a crane operator in his 40s, was crushed by a set of steel beams after an aerial lift struck a support structure, triggering a collapse. His right leg had to be amputated above the knee after 16 surgeries. The parties settled the case for $13 million.
Hugo, a 36-year-old painter, was using an aerial lift alone overnight on a large infrastructure job when he became pinned between the lift and a structure. He was later found unresponsive and died at the scene. The estate brought claims for unsafe work conditions and lack of supervision. A structured settlement totaling $5.05 million was reached.
Aerial lift accidents often involve multiple layers of liability, from the general contractor and subcontractors to the property owner and equipment manufacturer.
Navigating these cases without legal guidance can be overwhelming, especially when you’re facing medical treatment, missed work, and insurance companies looking to minimize payouts.
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we understand the challenges construction workers face after a serious lift-related incident. Whether the accident occurred due to improper job site supervision, lack of training, or mechanical failure, we dig into every detail to hold the right parties accountable.
Our team is deeply familiar with the Cook County court system and Illinois construction safety laws. We work with experts in occupational safety, lift operations, and engineering to build strong, evidence-based claims.
From gathering OSHA records to reconstructing what went wrong, we handle the legal side so you can focus on recovery. The sooner you involve our firm, the stronger your case will be, and the more likely you are to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), between January 2024 and February 2025, there were seven aerial lift accidents in the Chicago region, all of them fatal.
Aerial lift accident claims in Chicago are governed by a combination of city safety codes, Illinois state laws, and federal regulations.
Under Illinois law, injured workers may file for benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/), but third-party suits are often necessary to recover full damages beyond medical bills and lost wages.
In Calloway v. Bovis Lend Lease, Inc., 2013 IL App (1st) 112746, the court reinforced that general contractors can be held liable for job site injuries if they retain control over safety or fail to enforce regulations, even when the injured worker is employed by a subcontractor.
OSHA regulates aerial lift use under 29 CFR 1926.453. Employers must ensure proper training, fall protection, and safe operating procedures on job sites. Violations of these rules frequently play a central role in aerial lift claims.
In addition to OSHA, aerial lift manufacturers and job site operators are expected to comply with ANSI MH29.1, which outlines safety standards for the design, maintenance, and operation of industrial scissor lifts.
Chicago has specific safety ordinances that may apply to job site conditions, including Title 13, governing construction, scaffolding, and elevated work platforms. Violations of local safety codes can establish a pattern of negligence when pursuing a claim.
In Calloway v. Bovis Lend Lease, Inc., 2013 IL App (1st) 112746, the court reinforced that general contractors can be held liable for job site injuries if they retain control over safety or fail to enforce regulations, even when the injured worker is employed by a subcontractor.
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, in most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. If the incident results in a wrongful death, the deceased’s family typically has two years from the date of death to file a claim under 740 ILCS 180/2.
For workers’ compensation claims, the injured worker must:
Liability for accidents involving aerial lifts often extends beyond just the employer. Depending on the circumstances of your case, one or more of the following parties may be responsible:
Defendants in cases involving aerial lifts often use a few key defenses to avoid liability:
Our legal team counters these defenses with clear evidence, such as safety violations, witness testimony, inspection records, and expert analysis. We focus on showing exactly how the accident occurred and why our client is entitled to compensation.
To protect your rights and improve your chances of a successful claim:
We will guide you through the legal process of recovering fair compensation. We will:
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we represent injured construction workers and their families with dedication, experience, and results. We offer a free consultation, and you’ll never pay a fee unless we win your case. Contact us to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney in Chicago today.
Specific Cases We Handle
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.