Employers in Pennsylvania and other states must protect their employees from all known hazards. Workers in the construction industry typically face multiple life-threatening risks every day. Falls are regarded as the cause of a significant percentage of fatal construction workers’ accidents, and roof workers are particularly vulnerable.
A 20-year-old construction worker died in a workplace accident in a neighboring state. Authorities say the incident took place at about 8 a.m. on a recent Sunday. Reportedly, the young worker fell from a warehouse roof that was approximately 60 feet high. The circumstances that led to the fatal fall are yet to be determined, and no other employees were injured in this incident.
The report did not indicate whether the deceased employee was wearing fall protection. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be investigating the accident to determine the cause of the fatality. Furthermore, general compliance with federal and state safety regulations on the construction site will likely also form part of the inquiry.
When lives are lost in construction workers’ accidents in Pennsylvania, the surviving family members of deceased workers may be eligible to claim death benefits from the workers’ compensation insurance system for the state. Some families choose to seek the support and guidance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to navigate the benefits claims for them. Not only will they receive compensation to cover the expenses of end-of-life arrangements, but they may also be awarded survivors’ benefits in the form of wage-replacement packages to help with day-to-day living expenses.
Source: snews.com, “Worker Killed in Fall at Warehouse Construction Site“, Nov. 19, 2017
Our lawyers help injured workers navigate the complexities of the workers’ compensation system to obtain the benefits they deserve. We help people who have suffered catastrophic injuries because of car accidents and other acts of negligence obtain compensation for medical treatment and lost wages.