Submitted by Aiken Jacobsen on
The massive effort to build a new football stadium for the 49ers recently came to a grinding halt when a construction worker was killed on the job. For two days, the California construction site remained silent while investigators and the victim's loved ones searched for answers.
During the early morning hours, a 63-year-old elevator mechanic was busy at work when tragedy struck. As the worker was standing on a ladder, a counterweight from the elevator came crashing down on him and claimed his life. This information was released by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration in an initial report from the accident.
As officials from OSHA continue to investigate the circumstances behind the fatal construction accident, the man's coworkers and family members will be awaiting the results. Reports indicate that when construction crews returned to work, they pulled together a monetary collection for the accident victim's family. Certainly, this gesture will be appreciated by the victim's loved ones, but it may not be enough to cover the damages caused by the accident.
Sorting through liability issues in workplace accidents can be challenging under certain circumstances. Workers' compensation survivor's benefits may be made available, yet accepting this compensation may limit the ability to pursue a wrongful death or personal injury claim. However, the frequent use of subcontractors and heavy equipment may open up the possibility of holding parties other than the employer accountable for the accident.
Nothing can reverse the tragic outcome of this construction accident, but there may be ways to provide adequate support to the man's survivors. This kind of action could also help improve safety practices in the construction industry, which has a reputation for being dangerous.
Source: NBC Bay Area, "Construction Workers Return to Levi's Stadium," June 13, 2013
