Construction workers in Illinois often face life-threatening hazards on the job. It is the responsibility of all business owners to comply with federal safety regulations designed to prevent workplace injuries. It is also the employers’ responsibility to monitor employee compliance with prescribed safety precautions. A recent fatal construction worker injury is currently under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to determine the cause of an employee’s death.
Reportedly, an incident that caused a fatal injury to a construction worker occurred on a recent Friday in Joliet. Authorities say the victim was a 33-year-old man. They pronounced his death shortly after 9 a.m. at the emergency room of a local medical center.
The specific circumstances of the incident were not detailed, except that he died after suffering a cut to his neck. Along with OSHA, the local police department is investigating the accident to determine whether this was more than just an on-the-job incident. The actual cause of the man’s death will be announced after completion of the two investigations, along with the results of toxicological reports.
After the loss of a loved one to a fatal construction worker injury, the surviving family members can pursue financial assistance to help them cope with the financial burdens that typically follow an unanticipated death. The workers’ compensation insurance program of Illinois offers death benefits to the dependents of a deceased employee. These typically include coverage of the costs related to end-of-life expenses along with a percentage of lost income to assist with financial obligations in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Source: theherald-news.com, “Coroner: Construction worker dies after ‘workplace mishap’ in Joliet“, April 15, 2017