The SoFi Stadium under construction in Inglewood, California, was to open in July of this year as the new home to the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed work down. In addition, a couple of construction accidents have slowed the project down as well, the most recent one occurring in June
Worker Killed Falling from Roof of Structure
The most recent construction accident at the SoFi Stadium site involved a worker on the roof of the structure. As mentioned, work slowed on the project as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Work on the football stadium ramped up in June as California relaxed restrictions on different industries, including the construction industry. Indeed, the management of the SoFi Stadium project had created what the family of the deceased worker and others describe as a “rushed environment” to make up for lost time.
The ironworker was on the top of the structure after a roof panel was removed. Workers were not provided notification of the removal of the roof panel. In addition, no protective barriers were put around the opening created by the removal of the roof panel.
While working on the top of the structure, the fatally injured worker fell through the gaping hole, falling over 110 feet to his death. Emergency medical personnel were immediately dispatched to the construction site. The worker was pronounced dead at the scene.
Falls from structures at construction sites occur with significant frequency. More often than not, these accidents involve scaffolding. Approximately 10,000 workers are injured in scaffolding accidents every year, most of these incidents occurring at construction sites. About 100 people are killed in scaffolding accidents each year in the United States. A considerable number of scaffolding accident victims are permanently disabled.
Three-quarters of all scaffolding accidents involve one of three different scenarios:
- Scaffolding collapse
- Fall from scaffolding
- Objects falling from scaffolding
Crane Collapse at the SoFi Stadium Construction Site
The fatal accident involving the ironworker at the SoFi Stadium construction site was the second accident at the location this year. Fairly early in the morning of February 28, workers had started their shift at the construction site. At about 8:00 a.m., a 340-foot crane collapsed.
Investigators determined that one crane was stationary at the time of the incident. A second crane was being moved to a new position. As one of the cranes was being moved, it slammed into the stationary one. The collision resulted in the rapid collapse of the stationary crane.
The crane collapsed into a parking lot and onto a parking structure. A number of vehicles were damaged as was the parking structure itself. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported as a result of the crane collapse at the SoFi Stadium construction site.
Crane accidents are alarmingly commonplace occurrences at construction sites in the United States. An average of between 60 to 70 people die in crane accidents each year. Three states lead the pack when it comes to fatal crane accidents each year: California, Texas, and Florida.
The most common reasons for crane collapses are:
- Contact with object or equipment
- Falls
- Transportation incidents
- Contact with electrical current
Legal Rights Following a Construction Site Accident
If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction site accident, you need to be vigilant and proactive in protecting your vital legal rights. The first step in this process is scheduling an initial consultation with an experienced, tenacious construction site accident lawyer, like a member of the committed legal team at The Doan Law Firm.
You can schedule an initial consultation and case evaluation with a Doan Law Firm construction site accident lawyer any time by calling (800) 349-0000. Our construction site accident lawyer hotline is staffed around the clock, 365 days a year, including major holidays. A nationwide law firm, we’ve offices located from coast to coast across the United States. We can arrange an appointment at any one of our offices. In addition, we can schedule a virtual consultation online.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee promise to you. Our firm never charges an attorney fee unless we win for you.