Workers Injured By Falling Bricks at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Resident Hall

Unsafe Premises - July 25, 2025

Construction Workers Injured in Accident With Falling Bricks at Residence Hall for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Workers Injured By Falling Bricks at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Resident Hall

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS (July 25, 2025) – Two workers were injured by falling bricks from a residence hall at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Champaign County officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:30 pm on Thursday. Some bricks fell from the Florida Avenue Residence Hall on West College Court.

Paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim. One worker was placed in a neck brace and on a stretcher before being taken away in an ambulance.

A second worker was also placed in a neck brace and transported to a local hospital in an ambulance. The bricks apparently damaged the basket that the workers were in, thereby causing it to malfunction.

It remains unclear what may have caused bricks to fall from the Florida Avenue Residence Hall. A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Illinois Construction Accidents

The construction industry continues to be overrepresented in terms of the number of workers seriously injured and killed every year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In 2022, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry and 38.4 percent of these deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips. The construction industry accounted for close to half, 47.4 percent, of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2022.” Construction companies should take several measures to keep their workers safe at construction sites.

  • Hazard Assessment: Construction sites should be evaluated for potential hazards, including those posed by equipment and heights.
  • Safety Training: Construction workers should be trained in how to remain safe at their job sites. This includes informing them how to use safety equipment.
  • Maintenance: Construction companies should routinely inspect and maintain all of their machinery and tools.

When a worker is injured in Illinois, they will typically have recourse through a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is based on a no-fault insurance scheme. There is no need for a worker to demonstrate that one or more parties were negligent for them to receive compensation. In addition to workers’ compensation, an injured worker may be able to recover damages 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.

There are numerous sources of third-party liability at any construction site. For example, a building owner could be liable for an accident if their premises were maintained in an unsafe condition. Property owners in Illinois have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their premises, they must take action to mitigate that hazard. It is important that evidence be properly preserved after any construction accident.

  • The maintenance records of any building involved in the accident should be reviewed.
  • The condition of the property prior to the accident should be investigated.
  • Photos of the accident site should be taken.
  • Medical records related to any injuries should be preserved.
  • An experienced premises liability attorney should be contacted.

It can be hard to know what to do after being injured at a construction site. These injuries often cause severe trauma to workers and impact their ability to be gainfully employed. In many situations, workers may not be able to return to their jobs for many weeks or months. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have legal options. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a bodily injury claim.

Investigating Champaign County Construction Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the workers injured in this accident at the Florida Avenue Residence Hall on West College Court. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be a thorough investigation so that similar incidents can be prevented.

Have you or someone you care about been injured in a Champaign County construction accident? You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Our team of construction safety advocates is here to support you in any way that we can. We are committed to helping victims get the most compensation possible so that they can focus on healing. Whether you just have legal questions or would like to explore your legal options, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.