According to today’s Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, the family of a 24-year-old engineering inspector settled a Chicago construction accident and wrongful death action. The Chicago engineering inspector was killed when he was struck by a steel pylon that fell from a crane.
The 24-year-old man from Chicago was apparently working at a construction site of an Illinois Department of Transportation project on the Kingery/Borman Expressway as part of a pile driving operation at the time of the accident. A pylon broke free during the hoisting process and struck the man, causing his death.
The man’s family alleged that the subcontractor on the project was negligent in failing to clear workers from the area. Further, the family alleged that the crane operator carelessly failed to watch the load while operating the crane. The general contractor was not required to pay any of the settlement amount.
Because the accident occurred in Indiana, just across the Illinois-Indiana border, the defense argued that Indiana law should apply to the case, which would have capped damages at $300,000. Nonetheless, the parties were able to reach a fair settlement in the Chicago construction accident and wrongful death lawsuit.