All professions hold some degree of risk. While there are certain measures that can be taken to decrease these risks, no workplace in California is completely without the possibility of workplace injuries. Unfortunately, one man recently lost his life following a workplace accident that happened in another state.
The 74-year-old man was an employee of Liberty Lighting. At time of the accident in early January, he was working as a contractor at Wheel-1 Inc., tasked with changing lighting. He was using a scissor lift to change lighting when the lift fell over.
When the lift fell, the man struck his head on a concrete floor. His condition was listed as life threatening when he was transported to the hospital, and he passed away days after the fall. Fatal workplace accidents prompt the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to conduct an investigation. The results can help both workers and employers better understand the cause of an accident — including what caused the lift to fall over in this case. Findings can then be used to prevent similar incidents.
Unfortunately, many families in California are unprepared — both emotionally and financially — for the unexpected death of a loved one. When a person is killed due to workplace injuries, his or her surviving family members are often entitled to workers’ compensation insurance benefits. While these benefits will likely do little to lessen family members’ emotional burdens as a result of the death of their loved one, they can reduce their financial burdens, allowing them to focus on moving forward. A professional with experience with the process can help them seek a fair resolution that includes all applicable benefits.
Source: kstp.com, “Man Killed in Workplace Accident at Malting Company in Shakopee”, Jan. 3, 2017
