Suburban Chicago Tent Collapse Injures 26 People, Five Seriously

A suburban Chicago tent collapse has had devastating consequences. Cintas Uniform Services was in the midst of what evidently was an employee appreciation event during the morning of September 14, 2023. An unknown number of Cintas employees and others were gathered under a massive tent when it partially collapsed, for reasons yet to be identified. The tent had been struck in the company’s parking lot. At least 26 people were injured as a result of the collapse, at least five of these individuals suffering serious injuries.

Information on Injuries is Scant at This Time

The nature of injuries sustained as a result of the Cintas tent collapse accident have not been released to the public. Thus far, the only more specific information in regard to injuries is that five of those taken to area hospitals sustained serious injuries.

The names of those injured in the tent collapse at the Cintas employee appreciation event have not been released, pending notification of family members. In addition, information about whether non-employees were injured is not publicly available. The assumption is that most of those people who suffered injuries are Cintas employees. It is presumed that some non-employees were in harm’s way as well. There likely were people on site working the employee recognition event, perhaps individuals working for the event catering company.

Reason for Tent Collapse Not Yet Determined

As of Thursday evening, an investigation was underway trying to determine the cause of the suburban Chicago tent collapse. Currently, the precise cause of the Bedford Park tent collapse accident has not yet been identified. Multiple agencies currently are involved in the investigation.

History suggests that there are five commonplace reasons for an event tent collapse. These are:

• High Wind: Strong winds can cause the tent to shift or even blow away entirely.
• Heavy Rain: If rainwater accumulates on the tent roof, the weight can be too much for the tent to hold, causing it to collapse.
• Improper Installation: If the tent is not set up correctly, it may be unstable and at risk of collapsing.
• Poor Maintenance: A tent that is not properly maintained may be more susceptible to damage and collapse.
• Overcrowding: If too many people are in the tent at once, it is possible for the tent to collapse.

In the case of the Cintas tent collapse, weather has not initially been identified as an issue. Therefore, it seems as though the collapse could be related to the tent’s installation, maintenance, or perhaps overcrowding.

Statement from Cintas

Cintas issued a vague statement in the aftermath of the tent collapse:

We are grateful to the first responders who arrived within minutes of the incident and provided assistance,” the company said in a statement. “The health and safety of our employee-partners is our number one priority. We are cooperating with local officials to determine the cause of the incident. Cintas will continue to monitor the situation and do everything we can to assist our employee-partners during this time.

According to the company’s website, Cintas is a workplace apparel company, a uniform manufacturer. The company was founded by Doc and Amelia Farmer during the Great Depression.

Monitoring the Suburban Chicago Tent Collapse

Due to the serious nature of the suburban Chicago tent collapse, the dedicated team at The Doan Law Firm will continue to monitor the situation on the ground. If you or a loved one have been injured in someway because of the Cintas tent collapse, we are available to answer any questions you may have at this time.

You can reach us any time of the day or night by calling (312) 967-0000. We can arrange a no-cost no-obligation consultation with a Chicago personal injury lawyer from our firm any time that is convenient for you. We can schedule a consultation with you at our offices, conveniently located in Chicago, at your home, at the hospital, online, or at any location that is convenient for you.

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