Workplace accidents are prevalent in all industries nationwide, including in Illinois. Many workers likely know that anybody can suffer a work injury at any time, and only compliance with safety regulations can protect them. However, sometimes lives are lost without witnesses, and investigators have to piece together evidence to form a picture of the circumstances that caused a fatality.
Authorities reported that a 59-year-old man died in a workplace accident on a recent Tuesday morning. Emergency workers responded after receiving a call about an incident at a food company in Effingham. They arrived at the scene to find a man trapped under a semi-trailer that had apparently dropped onto him.
Reportedly, the victim was an employee of a company that repairs trucks. He was carrying out routine maintenance when something occurred that caused the semi-trailer to fall on him. A police investigation is also underway, although officials said they do not suspect foul play. An autopsy is scheduled, and as with any other fatal workplace accident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will likely order an investigation to identify any safety violations that might have contributed to this death.
Losing a loved one in such a tragic accident is devastating, and the family will have to deal with many economic consequences at this difficult time. As in similar losses, the surviving family members of the victim of a fatal work injury can pursue financial assistance through the workers’ compensation insurance system. Nobody needs to navigate death benefits on their own because the skills of an experienced Illinois workers’ comp attorney are available to provide guidance and support.
Source: wandtv.com, “Semi trailer falls on top of maintenance worker, dies from injuries“, June 7, 2017
