Child Died In Chicago Window Fall Accident At Apartment On North Clarendon Avenue
Wrongful Death - July 23, 2022
Three-Year-Old Boy Died In Uptown, Chicago Window Fall Accident At Apartment Building On North Clarendon Avenue
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (July 24, 2022) – A 3-year-old boy has tragically died after falling through the screen of an apartment window in Uptown, Chicago along North Clarendon Avenue.
Cook County officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday. The 3-yera-old boy fell through a screened window on the 18th floor of the building.
Witnesses said that the boy fell to the third-floor of a parking garage. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident in order to help the child.
He was transported to a nearby hospital with critical injuries. Despite life-saving measures from doctors and medical staff, he died due to the severity of his injuries.
A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Chicago Window Fall Accidents
Falls are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the United States. According to Stanford Children’s Hospital, “It is estimated that more than 2.2 million children ages 14 and under are treated annually at hospital emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. Reports show falls kill about 100 children ages 14 and under every year.” Windows tend to be major hazards for very small children. There are a number of measures that building owners can take in order to prevent window fall accidents.
- Windows can be covered by guards to prevent children from falling.
- Air conditioners should be installed with non-removable screws.
- Windows can also have devices which limit how far they can be opened.
All property owners in Illinois have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This must be done to protect guests and tenants from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. Pursuant to Illinois Civil Code (740 ILCS 130/1), when a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their property, they must take action to correct this dangerous condition. If an apartment window was defective in some way prior to an accident, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any window fall accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- The window involved should be inspected.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Maintenance records should be examined.
The family of any child that died in a window fall accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages can help cover medical bills, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, building owners will fight hard to deny responsibility for any accident that takes place on their property. That is why it is so important that evidence is properly preserved.
Investigating A Chicago Fall Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the child that died in this Uptown, Chicago accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about a Chicago window fall accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that building owners are doing everything they can to keep tenants safe. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
