Rohail Khan Killed in Workplace Accident at Midwest Autohaus in Skokie

Automobile Accidents - September 19, 2026

Rohail Khan Died in Workplace Accident in Skokie Auto Repair Shop After Car Jack Failed

SKOKIE, ILLINOIS (September 18, 2026) – A worker at Midwest Autohaus in Skokie identified as Rohail Khan has tragically died in an accident after a vehicle fell on top of him.

Skokie police officials are saying that the incident occurred on Thursday night. First responders were called to Midwest Autohaus and encountered a 33-year-old man who was unresponsive.

That person was later identified as Rohail Khan. He sustained traumatic injuries after a scissor lift car jack failed, thereby causing a vehicle to fall on top of him.

Unfortunately, Rohail Khan was pronounced deceased at the scene. The owner called the incident devastating and said that the worker was his best friend who he had grown up with.

You can help support the family of the victim through GoFundMe.

According to the online fundraiser, “On September 10th, our family suffered an unimaginable loss. Rohail Khan, only 33 years old, was tragically taken from us while working on a car he was repairing. In an instant, a loving husband, devoted father, beloved son, cherished brother, and treasured friend was gone.”

Liability for Skokie Jack Failure Accidents

Workplace accidents in Illinois are typically adjudicated under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. There is no need for an injured worker or their surviving family members to demonstrate that one party or another acted negligently under the system. In addition to Workers’ Compensation, an injured worker may also be able to pursue accountability through 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, the company that manufactured a car jack could be liable if that jack malfunctioned, thereby causing a worker to be injured. There are many potential defects with a car jack that could cause it to malfunction and spontaneously collapse.

A jack may have hydraulic fluid leaks that could reduce the pressure inside of the device and cause it to lower unexpectedly.
A jack may have worn or damaged seals that allow for a spontaneous loss of pressure.
A jack may have defective release valves that allow pressure to escape.
A jack may have manufacturing or welding defects that weaken its load-bearing joints.

When a product manufacturer fails to create a product that is reasonably safe, they could potentially be held liable through a product liability claim. Consider, for example, Brandenburg v. Weaver Manufacturing Co., 77 Ill. App. 2d 374 (Ill. App. Ct. 1966). In that case, a mechanic was seriously injured after a Cadillac slipped off of a bumper jack and fell on top of him as he was working under a vehicle. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the jack was defectively designed and improperly manufactured. Moreover, the jack was allegedly accompanied by inadequate instructions that contributed to the Cadillac coming loose and injuring the victim.

Steps to Take After Illinois Auto Repair Shop Accidents

Working around raised vehicles can create a number of potentially serious crush hazards. Some of these hazards can be mitigated when the right safety precautions are taken. Among other things, jacks should be accompanied by a secondary support structure to prevent workers from being crushed if they inadvertently fail. According to one report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 99 fatal occupational injuries in the automotive repair and maintenance industry for 2024. Several actions should be taken after any accident involving a jack failure at an automotive repair shop.

All of the evidence associated with the accident should be collected and preserved. It can help reveal how the accident actually took place.
The OSHA report created after the incident should also be reviewed. This report can identify all of the potential failure points that may have contributed to what happened.
Any person that may have witnessed the incident should be interviewed as early as possible, while their memories are still fresh.
The family of any person who died in an accident at an automotive repair shop should seek an independent investigation by a team experienced in product liability claims.

Jack failures are often highly preventable. They tend to be the consequence of major safety lapses. Companies that manufacture vehicle jacks may choose to take safety shortcuts to save money and improve their bottom line. It is important that workers and their families understand that they do have legal rights. In particular, the family of any person who died in an automotive repair shop accident may be able to pursue some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating Illinois Workplace Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Rohail Khan. Any person who may have more information should reach out to OSHA. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent other tragedies like this. Many important safety questions have yet to be answered. Who is the manufacturer of the car jack that failed? Did this jack have manufacturing defects that contributed to what happened? Was this jack on any recall list?

Do you need more information about an Illinois workplace accident? Our team of workers’ rights advocates is here for you. We are committed to helping people understand their legal rights and holding product manufacturers fully accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need any other type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You are always welcome to contact us anytime at (312) 564-4256.