On April 8, 2026, a seven-story parking garage under construction for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia collapsed at 3000 Grays Ferry Avenue, killing ironworker Stepan Shevchuk and leaving Matthew Kane and Mark Scott Jr. presumed dead beneath the rubble. Three members of Ironworkers Local 401 are gone. Their families deserve answers. And accountability.
What Happened
The collapse occurred at approximately 2:15 PM when a precast concrete roof segment failed during installation, triggering a progressive structural failure across all seven levels of the structure. Three workers were rescued from the debris; Stepan Shevchuk was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. Matthew Kane and Mark Scott Jr. remain unrecovered. Philadelphia emergency responders worked for days before the mission shifted from rescue to recovery.
Early reporting indicates the failure occurred during active installation of a precast component, focusing scrutiny on sequencing, load distribution, and on-site execution — not just final design.
Mayor Cherelle Parker issued Executive Order 03-26, directing the City Solicitor and Law Department to conduct a comprehensive, independent investigation into the cause of the collapse. General contractor HSC had maintained valid permits and up-to-date inspections prior to the incident — raising deeper questions about structural design, materials specification, and construction supervision that city permits alone cannot answer.
Demolition of the remaining structure began April 10, 2026. The investigation is active.
Legal Rights of Workers and Families
Under Pennsylvania law, construction workers and their families have the right to pursue claims beyond workers’ compensation when third-party negligence — including that of a general contractor, subcontractor, project engineer, or property owner — contributes to a catastrophic injury or death.
Workers’ compensation is not the finish line in cases like this — it’s the starting point. On large construction projects with multiple contractors, liability often extends well beyond the employer, and third-party claims are where families can pursue full accountability for losses that workers’ comp simply does not cover.
A failure of a precast concrete structural component of this magnitude — causing progressive collapse across seven floors — demands independent engineering analysis that goes well beyond the scope of any city inspection record. General contractor HSC held all required permits. Permits document compliance. They do not guarantee structural integrity.
“All permits were up to date” does not mean a site was safe — it means the paperwork was. When a structure collapses across seven levels, the issue is not compliance on paper, but whether the design, materials, and execution held up in reality.
With likely involvement from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), this case will proceed on parallel tracks — regulatory and civil. Investigations may identify violations, but families do not have to wait for those findings to pursue accountability through the courts.
Ken Fulginiti has spent over 35 years fighting for victims of catastrophic construction accidents in Philadelphia. He is not waiting for the city’s investigation to conclude before asking the hard questions. On April 8 — the same day as the collapse — Fulginiti Law published a public statement raising legal concerns. The firm was on record within hours.
Attorney Commentary
“Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces in America, and Philadelphia has seen far too many preventable tragedies. When workers are killed or injured on the job — especially on large commercial projects with multiple layers of contractors and oversight — determining accountability is complex. But it is not impossible. The families of these ironworkers deserve answers, and they deserve full compensation.”
— Ken Fulginiti, Fulginiti Law
As Seen on 6abc Philadelphia
“This wasn’t just a collapse. It was a failure of accountability at multiple levels.”
— Ken Fulginiti
Ken Fulginiti sat down with 6abc Philadelphia to discuss what the CHOP collapse means for the families of Ironworkers Local 401 — and what accountability must look like. Watch the full interview below.
[VIDEO EMBED — ADD WHEN BRIDGET SENDS LINK]
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for the CHOP parking garage collapse?
Responsibility may extend to multiple parties: CHOP as property owner, general contractor HSC, subcontractors, structural engineers, and potentially Philadelphia’s L&I oversight process. Mayor Parker’s Executive Order directs an investigation. An attorney can conduct a parallel, independent investigation to identify all parties liable for civil claims.
Can injured workers sue even if they receive workers’ compensation?
Yes. Pennsylvania workers’ comp does not prevent third-party lawsuits. Because construction sites involve multiple companies, an injured worker may be able to sue a contractor, property owner, or engineer whose negligence contributed to the accident — in addition to receiving workers’ comp benefits.
What can families of the ironworkers who died recover?
Under Pennsylvania wrongful death law, families may recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of the lifetime income the deceased would have earned, loss of guidance and companionship, and pre-death medical expenses. A survival action on behalf of the estate may also be available.
Does “permits up to date” mean no one is liable?
No. Valid permits confirm that required documentation was filed and inspections were completed. They do not guarantee that structural design, materials, or construction practices were adequate.
How soon do I need to contact a lawyer?
Immediately. Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury or death — but construction accident cases require early evidence preservation: site photographs, engineering records, inspection logs, and witness statements are all time-sensitive.
Does Fulginiti Law take these cases on contingency?
Yes. No fee unless we win.
Related commentary from Ken Fulginiti on why OSHA compliance should never be treated as the ceiling for contractor safety.
Contact Fulginiti Law Today
If your family was affected by the CHOP parking garage collapse — do not wait.
Call Ken Fulginiti: 215-602-4204
Fulginiti Law · 2005 Market Street, Suite 3710, Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.fulginiti-law.com · Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
