The construction industry poses many health and safety risks to its workforce. Construction workers’ accidents can occur without warning and may result in catastrophic injuries or death. Recently, one of these workers lost his life after what appears to be an accident involving a forklift.
The incident occurred in the Rohnert Park region of California. News reports indicate that the victim was assisting the operator of a telescopic forklift when the accident took place. Telescopic forklifts, or handlers, are vastly different from regular forklifts as they are larger and usually have a boom that telescopes out. According to a news report, the operator of this machine lost sight of the victim and accidentally backed over him.
After realizing that the victim was pinned beneath the machine, the operator moved the forklift and rendered aid to the injured man. When first responders arrived at the scene, they found the victim unconscious and immediately rendered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). After transportation to a local hospital, the victim later died from the injuries he suffered.
Reportedly, officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have already visited the construction workers’ accident scene to investigate the matter. The victim was a 19-year-old male, but no information about the forklift operator has appeared in the press.
These catastrophic types of construction workers’ accidents occur all too frequently. Even though this appears to be a terrible and tragic accident, the family of the victim will likely have many questions about why such a tragedy had to happen. In many cases, an injury attorney can help a victim’s loved ones find the answers they need. Legal advocates are also excellent resources for families that wish to explore the workers’ comp death benefits they may be due.
