As many Kansas residents are aware, working construction is one of the most strenuous, laborious jobs there is. Anyone who has worked on a construction site can attest to this. Not only is the labor physically grueling and intense, it can also be very dangerous. Falling objects, electrocution, explosions and machinery accidents are an everyday risk for many of these workers. These workers put their lives on the line every day for their jobs.
Recently, two workers were killed in a tragic accident at a construction site. The men were working in a shipping container moving large slabs of granite. As the slabs were being offloaded from a truck, 10 of the slabs fell onto the two employees. Emergency responders rushed to the scene to find that one of the men had already died as the result of his injuries, while the other was still alive and had to be rushed to a hospital. He too died as the result of his injuries.
According to reports, crews who responded to the scene were able to break apart the granite and remove the workers within five minutes. OSHA was called in after the accident to investigate the cause. The company the men worked for had no previous accidents or violations on record. A coworker said the two men had been employees in the company for four or five years.
Losing a loved one as the result of a work accident is a tragic and heartbreaking occurrence. What loved ones should not have to suffer further with is the financial strain that often results. Medical and funeral expenses, as well as lost wages, can put loved ones in a financially trying position. However, some of these victims may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is an exclusive remedy that is mandated at the state level. Pursuing this compensation and ensuring that a victim’s rights are protected can help to alleviate some of the financial strain following a work accident.
Source: CBS, “Falling Granite Slabs Kill 2 Workers At San Francisco Construction Site,” Feb. 7, 2014
