Duane Tabinski Killed In Electrocution At NASCAR Chicago Street Race

Unsafe Premises - Work Compensation - July 3, 2023

Duane Tabinski (Full Name: Duane Earl Tabinski) Died In Electrocution Accident At NASCAR Chicago Street Race On South Columbus Drive

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (July 3, 2023) – A 53-year-old man identified as Duane Tabinski was killed in an electrocution accident at a NASCAR Chicago Street Race event.

Cook County officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:30 a.m. on Friday.  Duane Tabinski was hired to do pre-race audio for the NASCAR event.

He was working in a locked area charged with electricity. At some point, the worker was electrocuted and seriously injured. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help him.

They had to work for some time in order to de-energize the accident site. Duane Tabinski was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Saturday. Family members have said that they are still waiting for answers about what happened.

Liability For Chicago Workplace Electrocutions

OSHA has said that electrocution accidents are one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death. According to Safety and Health Magazine, “In 2020, 126 U.S. workers suffered fatal electrical injuries, a 24% decrease from the previous year, but nonfatal electrical injuries involving days away from work increased 17% over that same span.” Roughly half of all electrocutions occur in the construction industry. There are a number of steps that companies should take in order to prevent electrocution accidents.

• Workers should receive adequate training to identify electrical hazards.
• Workers should not be asked to work in any area with open electrical hazards.
• Power lines and electrical lines should be de-energized before they are worked on.
• Workers should have protective equipment to reduce the risk posed by electrical hazards.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any electrocution accident. Pursuant to Illinois Civil Statute (740 ILCS 130/1), property owners have a duty of care to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and must take measures to protect entrants from defects on their property. An open electrical hazard could constitute a dangerous condition.

When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition on their property, they must take action. Failing to take action to remedy a dangerous condition could form the basis of a negligence claim. Liability could also arise if a property owner failed to warn about electrical hazards or other dangerous conditions a person may encounter. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any electrocution.

• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• Photos of the accident site should be taken.
• Workplace safety standards for the property owner should be reviewed.
• The source of the electrical hazard should be determined.

The vast majority of workplace electrocutions are preventable. They tend to occur when property owners fail to take the necessary steps to prevent accidents. It is important for workers to know that they do have rights. The family of any person that died in an electrical accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim. It is important that all evidence is properly preserved after any accident. Evidence is what will ultimately be used to determine liability.

Investigating Chicago Electrocution Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Duane Tabinski. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There are so many questions that need to be answered. Have there been similar accidents at this location? What measures were taken to protect against this area charged with electricity?

Do you need more information about a Chicago electrocution accident? Our team of workplace safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that employers are following industry regulations to keep their employees and contractors safe. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any electrical accident we may be able to assist you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.