When most people think of dangerous occupations, they likely think of jobs with inherent dangers, such as fighting fires or apprehending criminals. However, all occupations hold some degree of risk of injury. In fact, construction accidents frequently leave people in California suffering from serious injuries or grieving the unexpected loss of a loved one. One recent out-of-state incident demonstrates the potential harm that construction workers face on a day-to-day basis.
The incident involved a 41-year-old man. Reports indicate that the man was under a vehicle as he attempted to attach a tractor to it. He allegedly told another worker to start the vehicle, but was ran over when it gained traction.
Emergency responders tweeted about a trapped man at approximately 8 a.m. A tweet approximately an hour later indicated that the man had passed away. The incident will likely be investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Such an investigation can take several months to complete and can result in fines and/or citations against an employer if health or safety violations are discovered.
Unfortunately, construction accidents such as these leave family members attempting to cope with their loss while also managing the financial implications of their loss. The combination of funeral expenses and loss of wages can often be overwhelming. As a result, employers are required by the state to provide workers’ compensation insurance benefits. These benefits typically extend to dependent family members in the event of a fatality. Because many people who deserve these benefits are focusing on emotional recovery, some in California get help from an experienced professional who can help them seek compensation.
Source: wfaa.com, “Man killed in Fort Worth construction accident“, Ryan Osborne, June 17, 2016
