The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has launched an investigation into the recent death of a city worker in Palo Alto. Reportedly, the 42-year-old worker was one of five city employees who worked on the upgrading of an electrical transformer. He was the only victim of this workplace accident, and a workers’ compensation claim will likely be filed.
According to the city, the man was an experienced electrical lineman who had only recently started his job with the utility department of the city. His previous experience included time in the U.S. Air Force, followed by working with PG&E and the municipal utility district of Sacramento. The incident occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. on a Saturday while the work crew attended to the service request of a nearby church. City authorities are as yet unsure whether electrocution was the cause of the worker’s death.
The worker was alive when first responders rushed him to the hospital. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, leaving behind a wife and four children. Fortunately, the workers’ compensation insurance program provides financial assistance to surviving family members of those who lose their lives in work-related accidents.
Dealing with the intricacies of the claims process to obtain death benefits could be a daunting prospect for the surviving spouse. This is where the skills of an experienced California workers’ compensation attorney can be invaluable. Legal counsel can assist with the administrative and legal procedures involved in the filing of a benefits claim. Compensation typically covers the costs related to end-of-life arrangements, along with a portion of the deceased loved one’s wages.