Annie Wheeler Injured In Chicago Accident After Debris Fell From Building In Noble Square

22-Year-Old Annie Wheeler Critically Injured In Accident In Chicago’s Noble Square When She was Hit By Debris That Fell From Building by Milwaukee and Ashland

Annie Wheeler Injured In Chicago Accident After Debris Fell From Building In Noble Square

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (April 7, 2022) – A 22-year-old woman identified as Annie Wheeler was critically injured after a stone chunk fell from a building and hit her in Chicago’s Noble Square by Milwaukee and Ashland.

Cook County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Annie Shea Wheeler  was in the front of a building when she was hit by falling pieces of stone.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the Noble Square accident in order to help the victim. Annie Wheeler was taken in an ambulance to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

The stone chunk fell from the façade of the vacant building. A nearby business owner said that he saw stone pieces falling from the building several weeks ago.

Scaffolding was erected recently and it has caught some of the debris. But other pieces still got through and occasionally hit the ground.

A full investigation into the accident that injured Annie Shea Wheeler in Chicago’s Noble Square remains ongoing. A new report from CBS says that the owner of the Wicker Park building was told to make emergency repairs last month.

Liability In Chicago Falling Debris Accidents

Being hit by falling debris is one of the major hazards that construction workers face in their jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 50,000 people are struck by falling objects every year in the United States.  But many civilians are also hit by falling debris. There are a number of rules and regulations that help mitigate the likelihood of these types of accidents. What follows are just some of the steps that should be taken in order to protect pedestrians from falling debris.

  • Dangerous areas that are known to have falling debris should be sectioned off away from the public. Warning signs should also be placed to alert people to the hazard from falling debris.
  • Building façades should be properly inspected and maintained over time. Accidents are more likely to happen when façades are left in a state of disrepair.
  • Safety nets should be used to help catch pieces of falling debris before they hit the ground.

A building owner could potentially be liable for an accident if someone is hit by falling debris from their building. Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. Pursuant to Illinois Civil Code (740 ILCS 130/), property owners have “a duty to warn of or otherwise take reasonable steps to protect such entrants from conditions on the premises that are known to the entrant, are open and obvious, or can reasonably be expected to be discovered by the entrant; a duty to warn of latent defects or dangers or defects or dangers unknown to the owner or occupier of the premises.” The vast majority of accidents involving falling debris are totally preventable.

According to Nelson Forensics, an engineering firm that specializes in building damage, there are many common causes of debris falling from a building façade. This could be the result of stress caused by differential movement of building materials due to corrosion or deterioration. Common veneer failures that result in falling debris often include a failure of the veneer attachment. To prevent accidents a building owner should periodically perform a detailed façade evaluation and begin maintenance when appropriate. If a building owner knew (or should have known) about a dangerous condition with their property and failed to act, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are many steps that should be taken after any accident with a building façade.

  • Surveillance footage should be sought.
  • Maintenance records for the building should be examined.
  • Work permits for the building should be examined.
  • Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
  • Medical records should be preserved.

Any person that is injured by falling debris from a building in Chicago may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Many victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries until several months after an accident. A Chicago premises liability attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating A Chicago Falling Debris Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Annie Wheeler who was injured in Chicago’s Noble Square. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation and consequences for the people that may have allowed this tragedy to happen.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured by falling debris in Chicago’s Noble Square? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.