Falls from Heights in Chicago Area

Falls from Heights in Chicago Area

By James Allegretti

Fatal Injuries in Dangerous Falls from Heights

Can a slip and fall accident cause fatal injuries? Whether you slip and fall while walking on the sidewalk or you’re involved in a dangerous fall from heights, slips and falls can result in catastrophic and life-threatening injuries.  In the last month alone, the Chicago Tribune reported the accidental deaths of two different men in the Chicago area, both of whom suffered fatal injuries in dangerous falls from heights.

In a condominium building on the 200 block of North Columbus Drive, authorities reported that Zachary Lammers, 27, fell to his death from the 56th floor of the building.  Lammers was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.  While authorities continue to investigate, they believe it “was an accidental fall.”

A few days later, a 39-year-old man slipped and fell from the 22^nd floor of a building in the Gold Coast neighborhood.  In this case, authorities suspect that the accident victim may have been intoxicated.  Indeed, alcohol was listed as a likely contributing factor to his death. Bystanders reported that he slipped and fell from either a balcony or window at the DoubleTree Chicago Magnificent Mile hotel.

Injuries such as these can happen anywhere in the greater Chicago area, including Park Ridge, Evanston, Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect, Arlington Heights, and Schaumburg.

Falls from Heights Especially Hazardous

More than many other types of falls, falls from heights often result in serious or fatal injuries. Indeed, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), falls from heights account for nearly one-third of all reported fatalities from falls. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also identifies falls from heights as the most common cause of fall-related injuries, especially at construction sites.

What types of injuries are most common in accidents that involve falls from heights?  A study reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) studied 660 cases of falls from heights, including 469 males and 191 females. The researchers learned the following information about falls from heights:

• The height from which a person falls can have a significant impact on the type of injury sustained.  In falls of approximately 100 feet, head trauma and traumatic brain injuries are the most common cause of death. Brain injuries typically occur in accident victims who fall from a wide range of heights—from about 20 feet up to 100 feet. 
• Falls from 50 feet to 100 feet often result in organ damage, particularly to the liver.  The height of the fall can dramatically impact the extent of the injury. 
• Falls from heights of more than 80 feet very often result in serious and/or irreparable damage to the spleen. 
• Falls from heights of more than 50 feet often result in injuries to two or three regions of the body.

Preventing Slips and Falls

How can you help to prevent a slip and fall injury? While we never expect that we’ll sustain injuries in a fall, the NSC provides some important tips for preventing slips and falls at home and elsewhere:

• Always keep walkways and stairs free of tripping hazards. Tripping hazards can include papers, clothing or shoes, boxes, electrical cords, phone cords, etc. 
• Use non-skid mats on all rugs to prevent slipping. 
• Repair any damage to a walkway or stairway immediately. 
• Do not stand on surfaces with wheels, such as chairs or tables—you’re more likely to slip and fall. 
• Clean up any liquid spills immediately, including puddles resulting from inclement weather. 
• During inclement weather, keep your walkways free of ice and other slipping hazards.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to speak to an experienced Park Ridge premises liability attorney. Contact the lawyers at Allegretti & Associates today to learn more about filing a claim for compensation.