$2.4 Million Awarded to Two Ironworkers Injured in Fall

January 20, 1992 - A Danville, Illinois jury awarded $2.4 million to two iron workers who were seriously injured in a workplace accident during the construction of a downstate Illinois department store. On June 4, 1986, as the iron workers were installing part of the superstructure for the new Hills Department Store in Danville, the bar joists on which they were standing rolled, causing each to fall twenty feet to the ground, resulting in multiple fractures and back injuries. At trial, the plaintiff trial team, lead by David E. Rapoport, demonstrated that the general contractor failed to ensure that the bar joists were welded into position. This act was both negligent and in violation of the Illinois Structural Work Act.

When asked about the case, Mr. Rapoport concluded, "The time has come for general contractors to stop cutting corners and start delivering the safe workplaces that laborers deserve. The contractor in this case tried to limit the recovery because the ironworkers returned to work - one six months after the fall, the second 18 months after the fall. However, we demonstrated to the jury that because of the injuries these men sustained, their ability to work as ironworkers has been limited over time. The jury agreed and awarded these men almost ten times the offer made by the contractor to settle the case."

For further information about legal services email us, or contact the Rapoport Law Offices at 800-545-6437 (toll free) or 312-327-9880.