Lawsuit filed in construction worker’s 2014 death at SW Side site

A man has filed a lawsuit on behalf of his brother who was killed by a falling facade while working at an unlicensed construction site two years ago on the Southwest Side.

Roberto Tapia-Gonzalez, 44, was among three workers injured when the brick storefront collapsed about 1 p.m. Nov. 1, 2014, in the 4100 block of West 63rd Street, authorities said at the time.

He died at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn less than an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The other men were taken to hospitals in serious condition, fire officials said.

The city’s Department of Buildings said the contractors at the site were unlicensed and lacking building permits, and work was ordered to halt until the owners put up a heavy-duty canopy. An unspecified number of violations were issued days after the accident. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration also opened an investigation.

Tapia-Gonzalez, who lived in the 2500 block of South Homan, is survived by his son and adult daughter, according to the suit filed Monday by his brother Salvador Tapia.

The three-count negligence suit against Pedro Hernandez Roofing claims the company created a hazardous work site. Also listed as defendants are the job site owner and the Marquette Bank trust that controls the property. Representatives could not be reached for comment Monday evening.

The suit seeks more than $150,000 in damages.