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Fatal workplace injury claims flagger’s life in construction zone

On Behalf of | Sep 7, 2016 | Firm News, Workplace Accidents

A company that provides flaggers under contract to road construction sites recently reported the death of one of its employees in Colorado. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration that investigators are at the construction zone to determine exactly what caused the fatal workplace injury. The employer said the deceased man had previously left the company but had recently returned to work just a few days before his death.

The 29-year-old man was flagging traffic at a road construction zone in Firestone on Colo. 119 when he was struck by a semi-truck. The truck was hauling gravel. Although the worker survived the initial impact of the crash, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after being admitted to the hospital.

According to CDOT, the contracting company conducted a safety stand down in the days following the tragic death of the flagger. This is reported to be customary after a serious workplace accident. Circumstances leading to the accident are analyzed and checked for safety violations. Workers are also reminded of the dangers they face and how to avoid injuries.

The surviving family members of this fatal workplace injury victim may pursue claims for death benefits through the Colorado workers’ compensation insurance system. Since the driver deemed responsible for the worker’s death was not an employee of the flagging company, grounds likely exist for a separate third party lawsuit in civil court. An experienced attorney can assist with bringing a third-party wrongful death claim in a civil court which may yield a higher monetary award than what is typically granted through the workers’ compensation insurance program.

Source: timescall.com, “Flagger for CDOT dies after being hit by semitrailer in Firestone“, John Bear, Sept. 1, 2016

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