Two construction workers who were helping to replace a bridge in California have died in a crane accident. The accident occurred outside of the town of Winters on May 30. Both men were in a basket attached to the crane when it fell some distance to the ground, resulting in their deaths. The owner of the construction company said that his workers take safety into account on a daily basis and that the two deceased men were like family.
The project to replace the bridge has been going on since September of 2013. The Winters Fire Department and several other organizations responded to the scene but determined that the men were already deceased when they got there. Although the accident occurred in the morning, it took them until the late afternoon to recover the bodies. The reason why the basket fell is unknown.
Even if a worker doesn’t suffer fatal injuries, construction accidents can still lead to missed work and large medical expenses. In California, employers are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover employee injuries. Workers are also able to gain compensation if they become sick due to work conditions. If a person is injured or made ill on the job but denied workers’ compensation, a lawyer may be able to assist them in appealing their denial.
In many cases, workers’ compensation laws prevent injured workers from suing their employer. However, if a worker is injured due to the actions of a third party, they may be able to file a lawsuit to gain financial compensation. A third party may be the the manufacturer of faulty equipment that lead to a person’s injury. If a worker is injured on property owned by a third party, they could also sue that party if their negligence lead to unsafe working conditions.
Source: CBS Sacramento, “UPDATE: 2 Workers Killed In Fall From Crane At Winters Construction Site“, May 30, 2014
