The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is tasked with the responsibility of protecting the health of employees. Despite the standards the federal agency has in place, workers in California and across the country still fall victim to workplace injuries. In same cases, such as a recent accident in another state, injuries can be fatal.
In this incident, a 58-year-old working at Rahr Malting Company was the victim. According to reports, the man was discovered in a grain bin. It is believed that he fell in. Rescue workers were on the scene soon after the man was discovered and were able to pull him out.
Unfortunately, it was determined at the scene that the worker passed away. Authorities do not know how long he may have been in the grain bin before he was discovered. OSHA’s investigation into the incident will likely look at several issues, including whether the man was wearing a safety harness at the time he fell. If safety or health violations are discovered as part of the investigation, the man’s employer could be fined and/or cited by OSHA.
Families who are working to come to terms with the unexpected death of a family member often find themselves struggling financially as a result of funeral expenses and lost wages. In cases of workplace injuries in California, victims — including surviving family members in the event of a fatality — often are entitled to workers’ compensation insurance benefits. These benefits can cover funeral expenses and lost wages. An attorney with experience with the process can help these victims seek the compensation they deserve.
Source: jacksonville.com, “Jacksonville industrial accident victim dies“, Dan Scanlan, Jan. 3, 2017
