Construction Worker Injured In Fall At Obama Presidential Center

Unsafe Premises - January 30, 2025

Worker Seriously Injured After Falling Down Shaft at Obama Presidential Center Construction Site in Jackson Park

Construction Worker Injured In Fall At Obama Presidential Center

JACKSON PARK, ILLINOIS (January 30, 2025) –  A construction worker was seriously injured after falling several stories at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

Cook County officials are saying that the accident took place on Wednesday afternoon. The worker reportedly fell down a ventilation shaft in the Museum Building at the presidential center.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to assist the victim. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center with several injuries.

The Obama Presidential Center was under construction when the accident took place. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Chicago Construction Accidents

Falls remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death for construction workers in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In 2022, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry and 38.4 percent of these deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips. The construction industry accounted for close to half, 47.4 percent, of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2022.” Construction companies should take a number of measures in order to prevent workplace falls.

  • Construction companies should develop and enforce a fall protection plan that is compliant with all OSHA regulations.
  • Construction companies may need to install guard rails and safety nets at certain locations.
  • Construction companies should provide workers with personal fall arrest systems when they are working at heights above 6 feet.
  • Construction companies should ensure that all scaffolding is properly erected and stable.

When a worker is injured in Illinois, they or their family will typically have legal recourse through a worker’s compensation claim. The workers compensation system in Illinois is a no-fault insurance scheme. There is no need for an injured worker to demonstrate that one or more parties were negligent. In addition to workers’ compensation, an injured worker may also be able to pursue damages through a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible when an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributed to an accident. There are numerous potential sources of third-party liability for any construction fall.

  • A property owner or general contractor could potentially be liable for an accident if they failed to maintain a worksite in a reasonably safe condition. This could include instances where they knew about a hazard such as an unprotected or open shaft and failed to mitigate against it.
  • A subcontractor could also potentially be liable for any accident where a worker falls if they failed to install a fall protection system such as guard rails.
  • Architects and engineers could also be liable for any accident where a worker falls if they failed to include necessary safety features at a construction site.

If a worksite had clear OSHA violations that contributed to any fall, this could be used to strengthen the case that one or other entity may be liable for the accident. The vast majority of falls and construction sites are completely preventable. They tend to happen when safety regulations are not being followed. In many situations, companies will rush to complete a project and overlook key safety requirements. Any worker injured at a construction site may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim. A construction accident attorney can examine all the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating Chicago Construction Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the construction worker injured at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. It is our sincere hope that he is able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. Steps need to be taken to ensure that workers at this construction site are properly protected from falls and other known hazards.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Jackson Park construction accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of construction accident attorneys is here to help. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to our office anytime at (312) 564-4256.