Illinois worker dies in construction accident

On behalf of Jeffrey Frederick of Frederick & Hagle posted in Construction Workers’ Accidents on Friday, January 3, 2014.

Accidents that occur at work are like any other mishap — they happen unexpectedly and the consequences cannot always be foreseen. In the most tragic of circumstances, the final result is death. Unfortunately, at a recent construction accident in Illinois, the worst-case scenario is what transpired.

Two workers were injured and one was killed as they worked to demolish a restaurant located at a local mall to ready the area for new construction. The men were taking off layers of brick from an exterior wall when it collapsed. Loose debris and concrete struck the workers as it fell.

Emergency personnel were on the scene within minutes to offer aid. Other workers on the site pitched in to help their fellow co-workers. They had already removed any concrete from the injured men by the time the paramedics arrived. The men, including the deceased, were taken to a local hospital. The condition of the two surviving men was not available at the time of this report.

It is not known at this time what caused the bricks to fall. An investigation headed up by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration is currently underway. Officials have determined that the primary contractor on the job site did not have any previous safety violations. To date, the incident is being considered a tragic accident, according to officials.

A construction site is an inherently dangerous place in which to work. Responsible companies in Illinois do what they can to maintain a safe environment, but their efforts are not always successful. When the unthinkable happens, and a fatal construction accident occurs, victims and their families may wish to carefully consider their options regarding workers’ compensation.

Source: Chicago Tribune, Palos Park native killed in construction accident, Robert McCoppin, Dec. 27, 2013