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Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Chicago Construction Accident
June 5, 2011
The family of Jose Meza, a 38 year old ironworker killed in a fatal accident at a water reclamation site, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, New Holland North America Inc., and F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielson/IHC Construction according to a recent Chicago Tribune article.
At the time of the incident, Meza was employed by Industrial Fence, Inc. while working on a construction project at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant in Chicago when the fatal accident occurred. Meza was installing industrial fencing and gates at the plant during the time of the accident which happened in December of 2009. While Meza was operating a skid steer loader his body harness became caught on the loader. Meza was then ejected form the loader and subsequently crushed by the heavy duty machinery.
According to the article, even though Emergency Medical Services teams quickly made it to the scene of the accident to transport Meza to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for treatment, Meza was pronounced dead by doctors and nurses shortly after his arrival at the hospital. The Cook County medical examiner’ office has concluded after performing an autopsy that Meza’ cause of death was due to multiple fatal injuries stemming from a construction vehicle accident.
Along with naming the owner of the property where the incident occurred, the family of Meza has also named the manufacturer of the skid loader in the case. The wrongful death suit has been filed on behalf of Meza’ family in the Cook Country Circuit Court by their Chicago personal injury lawyer. Calumet Area detectives are also conducting a full death investigation into the deadly accident and Federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration officials are also expected to conduct a comprehensive investigation. According to those familiar with the case, Meza’ family is seeking more than $50,000 in compensatory damages in the wrongful death suit.