Because almost all jobs hold some degree of risk, California requires employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for all employees. These benefits provide financial help if someone suffers workplace injuries. Unfortunately, such injuries recently resulted in the death of an out-of-state man and prompted an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The accident happened at a NAPA warehouse that is closed. Three employees were at the warehouse to cut out metal shelves still in the warehouse. Reports indicate that as one of the workers carried oxygen tanks for their torches, a forklift rolled forward, pinning the man against a pickup truck. While the pickup truck is owned by the man’s employer, it is unclear who owns the forklift.
Although rescue workers were called, the man — whose identity has not been released — apparently died at the scene. OSHA claims that it is aware of the incident and will investigate. It typically has six months to finish its investigation and release its findings. OSHA could levy fines and/or citations if it finds that violations of health and safety standards led to the accident.
While workers’ compensation is often the last thing that family members who have lost a loved one due to workplace injuries are considering, these benefits can help cope with the financial consequences of a loss. However, many who are grieving in California find the added the added stress of the claims process difficult during an already difficult time. As a result, they ask a professional with experience with the process to help them pursue fair compensation.
Source: mcall.com, “Worker in Wind Gap killed as he’s pinned between forklift and pickup truck“, Frank Warner, Aug. 8, 2016
