The family of injured ironworker Jeffrey Spyrka is suing Turner Construction and subcontractor Adjustable Forms Incorporated, claiming that the two companies engaged in “careless and negligent acts” four days after Spyrka survived an eight-story fall from a scaffold that was seen swaying in winds as high as forty miles per hour.
The southwest corner of the scaffold split from the structure during the incident that occurred at the University of Chicago Cancer Pavilion project last Thursday, according to attorney Lou Cairo.
“They just wanted the job done, because time is money, profit over safety,” Cairo stated.
Days before, when the scaffold was lower to the ground, the lawsuit claims that workers protested about the stability of that corner and were informed by the subcontractor that the issue would be resolved.
“This scaffold was not properly inspected. It was not properly constructed,” Cairo stated. “The manner in which it was supported in the corners, which is the most critical part of that scaffold, was faulty.”
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The family of 27-year-old technical engineer David O’Donnell is getting ready to bring a lawsuit later this week after he fell to his death.
After falling on bundles of PVC pipe, the married father of three, Spyrka, 36, managed to survive.
He’s lucky to be alive.
Emergency room physicians from the nearby University of Chicago Medical Center raced to his side. Spyrka had multiple shattered bones, severe internal injuries, and brain damage, but according to his lawyer, he is still alert and not paralyzed despite undergoing countless surgeries.
“Heaven just doesn’t have room for one more angel right now, because he, it’s a miracle he’s alive,” Cairo stated.
Regarding the litigation, subcontractor Adjustable Forms Incorporated did not reply to our correspondence. Turner Construction, the general contractor, said it is aware of the complaint and is currently looking into the event.
