Losing a loved one in a fatal accident can be one of the most difficult experiences a family can live through. An individual’s sudden death can leave an array of unexplored questions, many of which might have been answered most thoroughly by the deceased person. As a result, it can often be very hard for parents, siblings and other immediate family members to recover from a wrongful death.
In the case of a 21-year-old North Georgia man, a forklift repair operation at work turned lethal on Jan. 23. The forks of the 1973 model forklift, which was inoperable at the time of the marina worker’s death, were raised to their maximum level and were being held up by another forklift.
As the young man and three or four other Little River Marina employees worked to repair the machine, a portion of it fell onto him, trapping and crushing him. He could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene by the first emergency service responders, who arrived shortly after the incident took place.
Firefighters spent more than five hours stabilizing the forklift at the scene so that the man’s body could be removed. Foul play was not suspected; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will, however, be investigating the accident.
Most individuals come home from work every day with nothing more serious than a dramatic story to tell. Occasionally, however, a fatal workplace accident does occur and the family members of its victim are left to struggle on without their companion. The ramifications can include financial issues as well as emotional pain and suffering. Those affected by the loss of a loved one may, depending on their situations, be entitled to monetary compensation. While this does not bring the deceased individual back, it can give family members the time they need to begin the recovery process.
Source: Cherokee Tribune, “Man, 21, killed in forklift crash,” Megan Thornton, Jan. 24, 2013