When a work injury occurs on a California construction site, the extent of the injuries a worker suffers can cover a wide range. Sometimes, a worker may suffer minor injuries, but, due to the nature of construction work, a worker often suffers more serious injuries or, in some unfortunate cases, death. When a construction worker is killed at a job site due to a work injury, the individual’s family typically qualifies for workers’ compensation death benefits.
A recent construction accident killed one worker. It occurred at a job site near a local high school in Oceanside on a recent Tuesday morning. The worker died as a result of a structural collapse.
According to officials, the man had been working near a drainage channel when, for reasons unknown, part of a retaining wall collapsed and fell on him. A crane was implemented, but, by the time the crane operator removed the large piece of concrete that landed on top of the trapped worker, the man had already died. Cal/OSHA will be investigating the accident.
The workers’ compensation program in the state of California aims to provide death benefits to individuals both related to the deceased worker — for example, a spouse, sibling, child or parent — as well as those who are financially dependent on the deceased individual. The main purpose of this benefit is to compensate the dependent family members for the loss of financial support. Families who have lost a loved one to a work injury may find it beneficial to consult an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to assist with the claims process.
Source: cbs8.com, “Deadly construction accident in Oceanside“, Shannon Handy, Oct. 13, 2015