Two weeks ago, an Ohio man was found dead at a construction company’s office in Tallmadge. The 48-year-old, a mechanic from Deerfield, died of compressional asphyxia, according to the medical examiner. A co-worker found him dead, trapped under a pneumatic lift.
According to news reports, the man was fixing some construction equipment when the fatal accident happened. It’s not clear how he became trapped underneath the machinery. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigation the accident, but a representative from the Cleveland office said it could take as long as a few months to complete.
While there are few details to offer in this story, it shows just how serious construction-related accidents can be. When working with heavy machinery, there is always some inherent danger involved. However, employers are required to maintain a reasonable standard of safety in their offices and on their worksites. It will be interesting to see what the OSHA investigation finds.
The man who died in this accident was survived by a wife and children. In situations like this, the possibility for an accident victim’s family to receive survivor’s benefits may exist. Losing a loved one suddenly and unexpectedly is not only emotionally difficult — it can bring about serious financial burdens as well. A family left without an income they have relied on to make ends meet can pose a substantial problem. It may be helpful to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to determine if survivor’s benefits are a viable option.
Source: Falls News-Press, “Deerfield man is found dead at Tallmadge company,” Steve Wiandt, Nov. 2, 2012