Occupational hazards exist in all industries, and often the only way to avoid injuries and fatalities is by absolute compliance with safety regulations. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health reported that it is investigating an industrial accident that occurred at a steel fabrication company in Spring Valley. This incident claimed the life of one employee, and a workers’ compensation claim for death benefits will likely follow.
According to a Cal/OSHA spokesperson, the accident occurred shortly before 10:20 a.m. on a recent Wednesday. A worker in his 20s suffered severe injuries when some iron beams struck him. Reportedly, this happened when the beams fell off a truck in the yard of West Coast Iron.
The young worker’s father, who is also an employee of this company, witnessed this tragedy. The injured worker was rushed to a medical facility in the area, but he succumbed to his injuries. According to Cal/OSHA, this was the first workplace accident at this company since 2014. A former employee of the iron company says he worked there for eight years and often felt threatened by the massive pieces of metal that were moved overhead by cranes.
When a California worker suffers fatal workplace injuries, the surviving family members are likely entitled to claim death benefits through the state-regulated workers’ compensation program. An experienced attorney can assist with the administrative and legal proceedings of the claims process. Survivor’s benefits typically include compensation to cover medical expenses and end-of-life costs, along with a financial package to make up for lost wages.