Colorado employees who move about work areas in which large vehicles are operated are exposed to many hazards. Whenever a worker is struck by a big rig or a piece of mechanized equipment, the workplace injury caused can be catastrophic or even fatal. An accident at a landfill in another state recently caused the death of a worker.
Although many unanswered questions exist, police reported that a truck driver was working nearby his vehicle when he was struck by another truck. It is suspected that the driver of a dump truck was backing up his vehicle, unable to see the other driver behind him. The man was reportedly crushed between the two trucks.
The 61-year-old worker’s death was pronounced at the scene of the horrific accident. Even though the police department is investigating the incident, the Occupational Safety and Health Department will launch its own investigation. This will be done to determine the compliance with safety regulations by the companies involved at the landfill site.
It is not known whether the driver of the dump truck was employed by the same company as the deceased worker. If not, the surviving family may have a viable third-party wrongful death claim that may be filed in a civil court. However, they may pursue death benefits through the state’s workers’ compensation insurance program. Once it is determined that the death was caused by a workplace injury, benefits that typically include compensation for end-of-life expenses and lost income will be awarded. Some families seek the guidance of experienced Colorado workers’ compensation attorneys to assess the viability of third-party claims and to pursue fair compensation that may also include recovery of emotional damages.
Source: CBS Baltimore, “Police Investigating Death At Baltimore City Landfill“, Rick Ritter, March 8, 2016