Enrique Aguilar Killed in Palatine Construction Accident

Unsafe Premises - May 22, 2026

Enrique Cerroblanco Aguilar, 29, of Carpentersville, Died in Palatine Construction Accident After Falling From Roof of Property on Mahogany Court

PALATINE, ILLINOIS (May 22, 2026) – A construction worker identified as Enrique Aguilar has tragically died after falling from the roof of the property along West Mahogany Court.

Palatine officials are saying that the action occurred around 3:45 PM on Wednesday. Enrique Aguilar was working on the roof of the structure when he reportedly fell for undetermined reasons.

First responders were called to the scene of the accident and found him unresponsive. Sadly, Enrique Aguilar was beyond medical aid and pronounced dead at the scene.

A full investigation by OSHA remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Palatine Roof Fall Accidents

Employers in Illinois have a legal obligation to maintain their worksites in a reasonably safe condition and safeguard their employees from foreseeable sources of harm. According to 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1), “each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” Construction companies should take several measures to prevent roof fall accidents.

Training: Employees should receive ample training to recognize fall hazards.
Fall Protection: Employees should be provided with personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) when they’re working at a height of 6 feet or more from a lower surface.
Guardrails: Employers may need to install guardrails in certain locations to prevent falls.

When a worker falls in Illinois, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. An injured worker or their surviving family member may also be able to pursue a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributed to an accident. For example, a general contractor could be liable for a fall if they failed to provide fall protection.

Steps to Take After Illinois Rooftop Fall Accidents

Falls remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury or death in the construction industry. According to Cureus, “In the year 2020, there were 108 fatalities among roofing contractors, highlighting the occupational risks. When it comes to residential construction, falls from the edge of the roof are particularly lethal, representing 70% of fall-related work deaths.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any rooftop fall.

Victims should seek medical treatment as early as possible.
Photos of the accident site should be taken.
Any report created by OSHA should be reviewed.
The family of any person who died should seek an independent investigation with a team experienced in accident reconstruction.

It can be difficult to know where to begin after being injured at a job site. Many victims are so seriously injured that they will need to take months away from their profession. Of course, the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one can devastate families emotionally and financially. This is why it is so important that these incidents are thoroughly investigated by an outside party.

Investigating Illinois Rooftop Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Enrique Aguilar. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.

Do you need more information about a Palatine rooftop accident? Our team of workplace safety advocates is here for you. We are committed to helping accident victims get the information and accountability that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique facts of any case, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.