Lawyers announce second lawsuit after fatal construction site accident at UChicago Medical Center – NBC Chicago

Lawyers for the families of two men who fell 100 feet from scaffolding during high winds at a University of Chicago Medical Center construction site have announced they will soon file a second lawsuit.

On Monday, attorneys at GWC Injury Lawyers filed a lawsuit on behalf of Jeffrey A. Spyrka and also plan to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family of David O’Donnell, who died in the fall.

According to lawyer Louis Cairo, a wind monitor on a tower crane recorded a wind speed of 70 kilometers per hour at the time of the collapse.

“This (structure) is designed to withstand 80 mile per hour winds when properly constructed,” Cairo said.

“It was not properly constructed,” he said during a press conference announcing the second pending lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that two construction companies, Turner Construction Company and Adjustable Forms Inc., failed to take adequate safety measures to ensure the scaffolding was properly secured.

According to the lawsuit, the companies failed to “conduct adequate inspections” and “warn workers on site, including the plaintiff, of the imminent danger of high winds.”

It goes on to say that the defendants failed to provide “safe and properly constructed scaffolding or other suitable means for working on the exterior of the building at heights”.

Spyrka, 36, is a husband and father of three children. The steelworker was seriously injured in the fall but survived.

“His condition is stable but critical,” Cairo said.

“He suffered devastating internal injuries as a result of his fall. His pelvis was completely shattered. As a result of the shattering, many bone fragments damaged his organs.”

O’Donnell, 27, a technical engineer, did not survive his injuries.

“The damage and loss that these two families have suffered – Jeff physically, his wife emotionally, the poor O’Donnell family who lost a son and a brother – is unimaginable,” Cairo Sr. said.

Both the lawsuit filed on Monday and the second pending lawsuit seek damages.

Cairo said the second lawsuit will be filed once the court appoints a special administrator to manage the estate.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) confirms that it is investigating the companies named in the lawsuit and the employers of the affected workers.

OSHA said it would release its findings within six months.

A statement from Adjustable Forms Inc. to NBC Chicago reads:

“We are aware of recent reports and remain deeply saddened to learn of this accident. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those affected. Safety is an integral part of what we do, and Adjustable Concrete is working with Turner Construction to support a comprehensive investigation of this matter with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We are deeply grateful to the physicians at the University of Chicago Medical Center and all first responders involved.”