Family of David O’Donnell files lawsuit after worker dies in scaffolding collapse at Hyde Park, Chicago construction site

CHICAGO (WLS) — The family of a man who fell to his death at a construction site earlier this month filed a lawsuit on Thursday.

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The legal battle following the tragic construction accident that left one man dead and another seriously injured on June 6 continues this week.

David O’Donnell and Jeff Spyrka were working on the University of Chicago’s new cancer pavilion when the scaffolding collapsed and they fell more than 100 feet.

O’Donnell, who was only 26 years old, succumbed to his injuries, while Jeff Spyrka remains in hospital with severe brain and body injuries.

Spyrka’s family also filed suit last week, claiming that workers had complained about the stability of that corner days earlier, when the scaffolding was lower.

“I think it goes without saying that both families are shocked to the core,” said attorney Louis Anthony Cairo.

GWC Law filed the second lawsuit related to the incident on Thursday, a wrongful death suit on behalf of the O’Donnell family.

O’Donnell and Spyrka’s lawsuits seek millions of dollars in damages from general contractor Turner Construction and one of its subcontractors, Adjustable Forms Incorporated.

RELATED | Construction worker who fell eight stories and died in Hyde Park will be remembered as a role model and hard worker

Meanwhile, ABC7 learned more about what happened on that windy day: The lawyers argued that the scaffolding had not been set up properly.

“It was a 4×4 plywood sheet that was not allowed to hold the west and south frames together,” Cairo said.

Cairo demonstrated what she thought the proper construction of this scaffolding would look like.

“These beams that support the scaffolding don’t reach the south scaffolding… that’s a problem,” Cairo said.

O’Donnell and Spyrka were among the numerous workers on the scaffolding when it fell apart. Cairo said they allegedly tried to hold on to something for safety, but were unsuccessful.

Lawyers believe a layer of flexible PVC pipes laid on the floor may have saved Spyrka’s life.

“It actually broke his fall, and that’s the only thing we could think of to save Jeff’s life as he fell 130 feet,” Cairo said.

A lengthy legal battle is ahead. Turner Construction told ABC7 that it is aware of the court filings and will continue to support any ongoing investigations.