Safety violations in a workplace can result and injury and death for employees. The state of California attempts to prevent injuries by instilling and enforcing standard safety polices and procedures. Despite enforcement, violations and workplace accidents still occur. Recently, a man lost his life at his job and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has cited the business with multiple safety code violations.
The 58-year-old man operated a forklift as part of his duties when he was fatally injured on the job. While driving down a forklift ramp to load supplies into a customer’s vehicle, a bag of mortar fell. The mortar bag blocked the forklift, and in effort to rectify the situation, the driver attempted to go up the ramp backwards. Unfortunately, the forklift’s back wheel went over the ramp’s edge, and the forklift trapped and crushed the man despite his attempts to jump from the vehicle.
OSHA completed an investigation of the scene of the accident and the events surrounding it. They concluded that had several safety standards and practices been instilled, the man’s accident could have been prevented. The company was fined over $60,000.
While an insurance check will not bring the family’s loved one back, it can help to alleviate an financial stress they may be experiencing in the aftermath of his death. Eligible spouses or dependent children may be eligible to file for workers’ compensation insurance benefits. Unfortunately, the workers’ comp system is a complicated and difficult system to navigate. Victims or surviving family members of workplace accidents could benefit from speaking with a lawyer in California about their rights to workers’ compensation and help with filing a claim.
Source: CBS SFBay Area, “Building Supply Company Fined For Fatal SF Forklift Accident“, April 17, 2017