People in California face potentially unexpected and hidden dangers in their everyday lives. Many of these dangers arise in their places of employment. Because of the potential for harm in the workplace, states require employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage to ensure that workers are financially protected in the event of an injury at work. Construction accidents are a particular concern, as evidenced by a recent fatal accident involving a collapsed trench.
The accident happened one afternoon in November. The 37-year-old victim was reportedly working with a sewer pipe when the trench collapsed. According to reports, he was covered by six feet of dirt while 20 feet underground. Rescue workers claim they quickly realized that there was little chance that the man would survive the collapse.
Crews worked for hours to recover the man’s body. Their efforts were hampered by high pressure gas and power lines in the area. However, they were able to recover the body approximately 10 hours after the accident occurred. Officials are now working to determine the cause of the trench collapse.
The man’s death is likely a devastating shock for his family members. While they come to terms with his loss, they may also face financial instability as a result of funeral expenses and loss of wages. Fortunately, the state-regulated workers’ compensation benefits provided for employees typically extend to dependent family members in the event of a fatality. This compensation could help the family deal with many of the financial complications created by the accident. Many victims of construction accidents in California — including family members in the event of a fatality — choose to seek the guidance of an experienced professional to help ensure fair treatment as they navigate the complicated path toward compensation.
Source: news9.com, “One Dies Following Industrial Accident In Edmond“, Matthew Nuttle, Nov. 13, 2015
