By: Casey Clark
CHICAGO (June 6, 2019) – A porch collapse in Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood Wednesday night left two women and two children hospitalized.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in the 11700 block of South Church Street.
The two adults, ten-year-old girl, and ten-month-old boy fell about 10-12 feet and were taken to an area hospital with serious-to-critical injuries.
Chicago Fire Department officials suspect a heavy load of debris and various heavy items on the porch may have been the cause of the collapse but are still investigating.
READ MORE | Morgan Park porch collapse leaves 4 injured
From 2003 to 2015 an estimated 6,500 people were hospitalized due to porch and balcony collapses, while 29 people were killed by them. An analysis by the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that 4,600 of these injuries were due to deck collapses, while the other 1,900 were from porch failures. Experts believe such collapses may be somewhat common because porches, decks, and balconies are particularly vulnerable to dry rot.
If you or a loved one was injured in a Chicago-area porch collapse, our experienced attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and seek compensation for your injuries. In 2016, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard obtained a $4.5-million resolution for a young man who was severely injured after he fell from a second-floor apartment balcony after a railing gave way when he leaned against it. The settlement amount was the largest in Illinois history for a porch collapse.
