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Defective equipment led to the death of a construction worker

On Behalf of | Apr 25, 2014 | Construction Workers' Accidents, Firm News

When the media report the death of a worker, it is not uncommon for Colorado readers to be concerned about the worker’s family who was left behind. In addition to grieving the death of their loved one, the family may well face financial difficulties as a result of medical and final expenses, along with the loss of the man’s income. A construction worker in another state lost his life in Oct. 2013, apparently due to defective equipment at his workplace.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently reported that an investigation led to multiple penalties and citations after the death of the 45-year-old man. OSHA reported that when the man was inspecting the inside of the vacuum tank on the back of a truck, the operator of the truck accidentally closed the hydraulic exit door. The worker inside was pinned between the truck’s frame and the door, suffering serious injuries.

Critically injured, the man was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries after four days. A director of OSHA said that such tragic and avoidable accidents emphasize the significance of adhering to prescribed safety standards. This accident was caused by the equipment starting up unexpectedly, along with the failure to implement a lockout system to avoid injuries or death.

When residents of Colorado lose loved ones as a result of defective equipment on-the-job or due to another other workplace accident, they are typically entitled to claim work benefits and death benefits. Benefits typically include payments for funeral costs and other end-of-life expenses, along with a portion of lost wages for the victim’s covered dependents. Many claimants seek assistance with the filing and processing of benefit claims to protect their rights under this important, state-regulated insurance program.

Source: triblive.com, “Indiana County paving contractor could be fined in fatal accident“, Paul Peirce, April 22, 2014

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