Accidents can be a fact of life. Accidents can happen at any time in any place, and happen to even the most careful of people. By their very definition, there is little that can be done to prepare for a truly random accident. But many accidents really aren’t random occurrences caused by random coincidence. These accidents can be traced to the action or inaction of a person. Workplace accidents come in all shapes and sizes. Some accidents are so random that no amount of preparation could have prevented them while responsibility for others lies solely at the feet of one or more actors.
A Georgia family is in mourning after a workplace incident took the life of a father of two. The man, who had worked maintenance for decades, died just days after another man was crushed to death by a trailer nearby. At the time of the accident, the man was about 25 feet above ground in an aerial platform installing light fixtures. The man’s friend questions how the accident happened, noting the man’s strict adherence to OSHA regulations regarding harnesses and tying off to equipment. While the investigation is still ongoing, it appears that a piece of equipment ran into the scissor lift he was operating, knocking everything onto the ground below. The man died the next day, leaving behind many, including two children and five grandchildren.
Workplace injuries are routinely covered by workers’ compensation insurance, but suits can be brought against a third party in instances where a fatal workplace injury is caused by the negligence of someone outside of the workplace.
Whether it’s for the loss of companionship, funeral costs or pain and suffering, compensation from a wrongful death suit can help the family members of a loved one who has died in a workplace accident, car accident or any other tragedy.
Source: WRWD, “OSHA investigating workplace accident that killed Barnwell man” Lauren Warren, Jan. 22, 2015