Owen Severson Killed in Marseilles Grain Bin Accident
Wrongful Death - July 15, 2026
Owen Floyd Severson, 66, Died After Being Recovered From Grain Bin Along North 2950th Road in Marseilles
MARSEILLES, ILLINOIS (July 15, 2026) – A 66-year-old man identified as Owen Severson has tragically died in a Marseilles grain bin accident at a property along North 2950th Road.
LaSalle County officials are saying that the incident occurred on July 7. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim.
Owen Severson was extricated from the grain bin with traumatic injuries. Unfortunately, he was beyond medical assistance and was pronounced deceased.
A full investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Marseilles Grain Bin Accidents
Businesses across Illinois have a legal obligation to maintain their properties in a safe condition. This is especially important for any business that is making use of a grain bin. Accidents involving grain bins are almost always avoidable. Depending on who owns and operates the property and equipment involved in a grain bin accident, there could be several liable parties. Negligence claims involving grain bin accidents typically revolve around several key issues.
- Unexpected Starts: It matters whether or not a worker was allowed to enter a grain bin that was capable of starting unexpectedly.
- Shut Down: It matters whether or not the equipment that was used to operate a grain bin was properly isolated and shut down before workers were allowed to enter.
- Maintenance: It matters whether or not the grain bin was properly maintained.
- Harnesses: It matters whether or not workers were provided with safety harnesses before being allowed to enter a grain bin.
When a worker is injured or killed in Illinois, they or their surviving family members typically have to file a claim through the workers’ compensation system. This system operates entirely through a no-fault insurance process. There’s no need for a worker to demonstrate that their employer acted negligently. In most cases, employers cannot be held directly liable for workplace accidents to begin with. However, injured workers or their surviving family members may be able to pursue damages through a third-party liability claim against an entity separate from their employer that contributed to what happened.
Steps to Prevent Grain Bin Accidents
Far too many workers are seriously injured or killed every year in preventable grain bin accidents. According to one study from Purdue University, “The following are highlights from the 2024 Summary of injuries and fatalities associated with agricultural confined spaces: No fewer than 51 cases involving agricultural confined spaces were documented, including 22 fatal and 29 non-fatal cases, representing a 38.6% decrease over the 83 cases in 2022, and a 7% decrease since 2023.” There are several steps that should be taken to prevent grain bin accidents.
- Shut Down Equipment: All of the equipment used to power a grain bin should be shut down before workers are allowed inside.
- Restricted Access:There should be limited access to grain bins. Before every entry, a qualified supervisor should document the entry and ensure that all related equipment has been properly shut down.
- Harnesses: Every worker entering a grain bin should be provided with a safety harness that they can use to extricate themselves.
- Training: Workers should be provided with ample training on the hazards they are likely to encounter when working in or around grain bins.
It can be difficult to know where to begin if you’ve been injured in a grain bin accident. This is particularly true for families who have lost loved ones in these incidents. One of the important steps that should be taken after any such accident is carefully reviewing the safety report created by OSHA. A large portion of these incidents involve clear OSHA violations. The family of any person killed in a grain bin accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil action.
Investigating Marseilles Grain Bin Accidents
Horwitz Horwitz & Associates was very concerned to learn about the tragic death of Owen Severson. We offer our deepest condolences to the victim’s family as they are going through such an incredibly difficult period. There needs to be a thorough investigation by OSHA. Anyone who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. Several important questions still need to be answered.
Do you need more information about a LaSalle County grain bin accident? Our team of workplace safety advocates is here for you. We are committed to fighting to uphold the rights of all workers and taking proactive measures to keep workplaces across Illinois safe. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free investigation into any particular incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
