Workplace accident turns deadly

The alarm clock rings, and the day begins. It’s time to take a shower, eat breakfast and go to work. The average Massachusetts worker assumes that the day will go like most others, soon be home with his or her family. It will be time to eat dinner, help children with homework and go to bed so that the process can start all over again. However, every once in a while, the day does not go like others, and a workplace accident occurs.

Loading a company truck with insulation supplies in a parking lot should be simple enough. Pick the items up and place them in the back of the truck. Yet, for one Massachusetts employee, this task quickly turned deadly. As he and other employees were loading the truck, another box truck backed over him, crushing him with one of its rear tires. The employee died as a result.

This accident is currently under investigation by several entities. In addition to company and police investigations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also conducting an investigation into the accident. It is their responsibility to make sure that the company is in compliance with all OSHA standards.

While an investigation into this accident is important, the basic facts will remain the same; a man has lost his life in a workplace accident. The investigation may help to ease the family’s mind and perhaps prevent future accidents from occurring; however, it will not alleviate the family’s grief or financial turmoil the accident has caused. The Massachusetts worker should be covered by workers’ compensation insurance, but the family may find it helpful to consult with an attorney to make sure they receive everything to which they are entitled.

Source: masslive.com, “Springfield police identify man killed in Liberty Street workplace accident“, George Graham, Nov. 23, 2016