Steven Haase Killed in Mt Carmel Grain Bin Accident
Personal Injury - June 6, 2026
Steven Haase, 21, Died in Grain Bin Accident at Property Along Friendsville Avenue in Mt. Carmel
MT. CARMEL, ILLINOIS (June 5, 2026) – A 21-year-old man identified as Steven Haase has tragically died in a Mt. Carmel grain bin accident by Friendsville Avenue and North 1550 Boulevard.
Wabash County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:00 p.m. on Monday. Authorities received a call that three men became entrapped inside of a grain bin.
One of the people entrapped was identified as Steven Haase. Paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene to help all of the victims. Two people were able to be extricated from the grain bin.
Sadly, Steven Haase was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Mt Carmel Grain Bin Accidents
Business owners in Illinois have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. 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.” Several actions should be taken to prevent grain bin accidents.
- Employers should never allow entry when grain is flowing.
- Employers should develop a written entry permit system.
- Employers should provide workers with fall protection.
- Employers should train workers on grain bin hazards.
When a worker is injured or killed in Illinois, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse through the worker’s compensation system. This is a no-fault insurance scheme designed to help injured workers, regardless of how an accident took place. Depending on how an accident took place, an injured worker or their family may also have recourse 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.
Third-Party Liability for Grain Bin Accidents
Many workers are killed or injured every year in grain bin accidents. According to West Side Salvage, “Over the past decade, grain bin entrapments have remained a serious safety concern in U.S. agriculture. From 2014 to 2023, annual incident totals have fluctuated between 23 and 42 cases, with sharp increases in some years—most notably a 44.8% jump from 2021 to 2022.” There are several sources of third-party liability for any grain bin accident.
- A general contractor could be liable for an accident if they maintained control over the safety of the site and failed to keep it in a safe condition.
- An equipment manufacturer could also be liable for an accident if one of the safety systems that workers relied on malfunctioned.
- The designer of a grain bin may be liable for an accident if there were a lack of safety access points.
It can be hard to know where to begin after any grain bin accident. Many victims are so seriously injured that they may need to take weeks or months away from work. Of course, many people do not survive their injuries. Unfortunately, employers and property owners will virtually never accept responsibility when someone is harmed in a grain bin accident. This is why it is so important that these incidents are thoroughly investigated by an outside party.
Investigating Mt Carmel Grain Bin Accidents
Our team at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates was very saddened to learn about the tragic accident that killed Steven Haase. It is our hope that the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. There have been several similar accidents across Illinois in recent years. This accident raises serious safety concerns. It also highlights the real hazards that people must deal with every day as they work.
Do you need more information about a Mt. Carmel grain bin accident? Our team of workplace safety advocates is here for you. We are committed to helping all people understand their rights and holding negligent parties accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or are concerned you’re not getting the full truth from investigators, we may be able to assist you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
