Family Awarded $1.1 Million for Son Killed After 50 Foot Fall at Chicago Skyway Construction Site

Alfred Benesch & Company (Benesch), a consulting engineering company, has agreed to pay $1.1 million to the mother and sister of a construction worker killed when he fell 50 feet from a construction site at the Chicago Skyway Bridge Project. Attorney Edward G. Willer, a highly regarded and experienced Chicago construction accident lawyer at the personal injury and wrongful death law firm of Corboy & Demetrio, represented the family.

Attorney Willer stated, “Key to recovery in this case was our ability to pursue the action against the consulting engineering firm whose contractual obligations were distinct from the general contractor’s overall safety responsibilities. The family was precluded from recovering any settlement from the victim’s employer due to workmen’s compensation laws.”

Chicago Construction Accident 

On August 1, 2003, a 32 year-old carpenter, was working for A&L Construction, the general contractor responsible for making repairs to the Chicago Skyway. While the carpenter worked on the deck of the Skyway rebuilding the wooden frame, he stepped on a piece of plywood covering a hole. The hole was used to pass equipment up to the area where he and other carpenters were working. The plywood was part of a fall protection system utilized during the Project. As he stepped onto the plywood it flipped and hit him, causing him to fall 50 feet to his death. The plywood had not been properly replaced and secured to the decking after equipment had been brought up to the deck.

Construction Site Safety

Benesch, a consulting engineering firm, was hired by the City of Chicago, owner of the Chicago Skyway in 2003, to provide construction engineering services and to perform general safety reviews of the site. Attorney Willer contended that Benesch, pursuant to its services agreement, was contractually obligated to inspect and review the site for any safety concerns. Extensive research and investigation revealed that Benesch had prior notice of the unsafe practice of leaving the plywood unsecured to allow materials to be brought onto the Bridge deck and allowed this practice to continue for some time prior to this fatal occurrence.

Chicago Construction Accident Lawyer

Attorney Willer stated,

Consulting engineering firms that contract to perform on-site safety inspections are now being held accountable for their negligent conduct. The resolution of this action brings a certain degree of closure on this most tragic family member loss.

Corboy & Demetrio is one of the nation’s premier law firms. It represents individuals and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases and is renowned for its achievements in the courtroom and for its contributions to the community. The rights and concerns of its clients are at the core of Corboy & Demetrio’s practice. That commitment, dedication, compassion and relentless drive has resulted in exceptional service and exceptional results for its clients. The firm has acquired more than $3 billion in settlements and verdicts and has attained more than 500 settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million.

For further information, contact Mary Neville, Communications Director, at 312.346.3191 or mjn@corboydemetrio.com.