Construction companies sued for negligence after man falls over materials

A man is suing two companies that did construction in a VA hospital parking are over claims he fell over materials while walking to an appointment.

Philip Cohran filed a lawsuit Nov 12 in Cook County Circuit Court against R.W. Collins Co. and Network Safety Consultants Inc., citing negligence.

According to the complaint, the defendants entered into a contract to provide construction and safety services to the Taylor Street dock parking area at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center at 820 S. Damen Ave. in Chicago.

Cohran says claims  the defendants were engaged in construction activities on Nov. 16, 2012 and allowed the area outside the door of the Taylor Street dock parking area to be obstructed by boards, as well as a pile of driver beams.

The suit states that as Cohran was walking from the parking garage to the hospital for an appointment, he fell as a result of an obstruction caused by the defendants, resulting in injuries.

Cohran is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 and is being represented in the case by attorney Gregg E. Strellis of Strellis & Field.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2013L012504.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Cook County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it represents only one side of the story.