Matthews v. Commonwealth Edison Co.

The Structural Work Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 48, pars. 60 et seq.) was enacted to protect workers in dangerous and extra-hazardous occupations. Its coverage is extensive, but it is not all-encompassing. To come under the Act’s coverage, a case must feature harm caused by a failure of something a worker is using to support himself. Where that feature is missing there can be no liability under the statute. The plaintiff in this case was injured, but not because of a failure or defect in what he was relying upon for support. The circuit court’s grant of summary judgment to the defendant is…