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California worker suffers fatal work injury

On Behalf of | Apr 11, 2013 | Workplace Accidents |

Any kind of work involving heavy machinery or maintenance on large trucks or buses carries some risk of injury, even during a typical work day. Unfortunately, a California worker suffered a fatal work injury while simply doing his job as a maintenance worker. The man was an employee at the Valley Transportation Authority.

The incident reportedly happened as the man was struck by a bus while working at the VTA. He was transported to a nearby medical facility and died from the injuries later that night. The driver of the bus that struck the employee was placed on leave from his position with the transportation company.

The work place accident is still under investigation. Several agencies are involved in that investigation including the Valley Transportation Authority, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health and also the local sheriff department. The general manger of the facility issued a statement essentially stressing the company’s desire to get answers as to how this happened to ensure safety of others.

While an investigation may take awhile and it remains to be seen if there was any negligence involved in this particular fatal work injury incident, the family of the man who died will be entitled to certain rights and benefits. In California, employers must follow state regulations and provide adequate workers compensation to help employees and their families deal with the aftermath of work place injuries, regardless of their severity. In this particular case, the family of the fatal work place accident victim may be able to use those benefits to pay for funeral expenses, medical bills, future lost wages or any other expenses they may now have to deal with in the wake of this tragedy.

Source: ktvu.com, “VTA worker dies in bus yard accident,” March 29, 2013

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