Long road to recovery for construction worker who fell two stories to the ground

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – There’s new information about the construction worker who was nearly killed in June when he fell two stories to the ground.

Junior Strickland is still recovering from his injures and has chosen to speak to News 12  about his mishap and how it has changed his life.

“I feel real lucky to be able to talk after falling that far. I really do,” said Strickland as he sat on a couch with his leg in a special brace.

The last time News 12 saw Strickland was the morning of June 16th when he was being placed into an ambulance in serious condition. He was working for Wise Construction when a freak accident happened at a demolition site on Chestnut Street.

“Workers told us that one of their workers with Wise Construction Company was on the roof using a jackhammer to break loose some concrete. They were trying to open up the building. Unfortunately the concrete collapsed underneath him. He along with the jackhammer and some debris fell down to the ground floor,” said Chattanooga Fire Department Spokesperson Bruce Garner.

Strickland suffered broken ribs and severe injuries to the head, spine and leg; all of which required surgeries.

“They said it’s going to be a long recovery. I can’t put any weight on my left leg so I have to use a walker. If I have to go far, I use a wheelchair,” Strickland said.

The injury Strickland suffered to his head left him in and out of consciousness. He said he has trouble remembering what happened.

“I woke up in the hospital five days later; looking around trying to figure out where I was. I don’t remember falling,” Strickland said.

On Friday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration also known as OSHA contacted Strickland to let him know they were conducting their own investigation into his accident. He said they questioned whether or not safety protocols were put in place by the construction company.

“They said we were supposed to have safety harnesses and stuff like that on. We should have had safety gear and a safety net. That’s what the guy told me. He said that’s what we should have been wearing. We had non of that,” Strickland said.

News 12 was unable to get comment from Wise Construction due to their office being closed on Sunday, but hope to get a response very soon.