‘Miracle’ landing saves dad of 3 in fatal scaffold collapse, IL firm says. He’s suing

UPDATE: The family of an ironworker who fell from scaffolding and died at a Chicago construction site in June 2024 has been awarded $23.5 million in a lawsuit, according to the law firm representing the family.

Jeffrey Spyrka and David O’Donnell fell after scaffolding collapsed amid strong winds, due to “serious deficiencies in the scaffold system,” GWC Injury Lawyers, LLC said in a June 9 news release. Spyrka survived with injuries while O’Donnell lost his life.

The suit sought damages from two companies, Adjustable Forms Inc. and Turner Construction Company, which the family’s attorneys blamed for the incident.

Litigation is still ongoing for the Spyrka family, the firm said.

The original story continues below.

An ironworker who survived a fatal scaffolding collapse at a Chicago construction site is now suing two companies he blames for the incident, according to an Illinois law firm.

Jeffrey Spyrka plummeted from an eight-story height when the scaffolding he was standing on suddenly failed on Thursday, June 6, the lawsuit filed June 10 in Cooke County said.

A second man and fellow ironworker, 27-year-old David O’Donnell, also fell from the scaffolding but did not survive, WGN reported.

The men were working at the site of the Cancer Pavilion Project at the University of Chicago Hospital when the scaffolding came loose during strong winds, fire officials told WBBM.

“A corner of the scaffolding separated, causing (Spyrka) to sustain catastrophic and serious injuries,” according to the lawsuit.

Spyrka fell roughly 80 feet and landed on a pile of PVC pipes, which helped soften the impact and save his life, GWC Injury Lawyers told McClatchy News in an email.

“It’s a miracle he’s alive,” attorney Lou Cairo told WLS.

The 36-year-old husband and father of three didn’t walk away unscathed, however, Cairo told the outlet, adding that Spyrka suffered internal injuries and broken bones, and has had to undergo multiple surgeries.

The lawsuit names two businesses as defendants: Turner Construction Company, the contractor responsible for the construction project, and Adjustable Forms, Inc., which constructed the scaffolding.

Turner and Adjustable Forms “just wanted the job done, because time is money, profit over safety,” Cairo told WLS.

Spyrka’s attorneys say the scaffolding was neither constructed properly nor inspected sufficiently at the job site, claiming both companies were “negligent” and share fault for what happened, according to the lawsuit.

Additionally, the suit accuses the companies of failing to “adhere to safety warnings from reliable sources that high winds were occurring,” and also “carelessly and improperly gave assurances to the crew on the scaffolding that it was safe to work from the scaffold.”

In a response to McClatchy News, Adjustable Forms, Inc. said it is aware of the lawsuit filed against them, and offers its “sincerest condolences to the loved ones of those affected.”

“Safety is integral to what we do,” the statement continued. “Adjustable Concrete is partnering with Turner Construction to support a full investigation into this matter alongside the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We are deeply grateful for the University of Chicago Medical Center doctors and all first responders involved.”

McClatchy also reached out to Turner Construction for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Spyrka’s attorneys are seeking $100,000 in total damages, or $50,000 from each company, for mental and physical anguish suffered by Spyrka and his family.

This story was originally published June 12, 2024 at 12:52 PM with the headline "‘Miracle’ landing saves dad of 3 in fatal scaffold collapse, IL firm says. He’s suing."