While construction workers in Ohio and elsewhere are exposed to many known safety hazards, unexpected incidents sometimes have devastating consequences. Even with all safety precautions in place, things can go wrong, and unanticipated construction workers’ accidents can happen. Such was the case on a recent Tuesday morning in a neighboring state.
Reportedly, a 33-year-old construction worker was operating a backhoe at the intersection of three water mains. For reasons yet to be determined, a cap blew off one of the water pipes. The force of the rushing water stream knocked the worker into the waterhole, where he was pinned down while the hole was rapidly filling up with muddy water.
Police say co-workers managed to retrieve the worker by using a pole, but that was after he was submerged for approximately 10 minutes. He was rushed to the hospital, but he did not survive. His death was pronounced later. An investigation to determine the cause of this tragedy is ongoing.
Losing loved ones in construction workers’ accidents is naturally traumatic for surviving family members. They have to deal with the financial consequences of such an unexpected tragedy, knowing that there will no longer be income. With the help of an experienced Ohio workers’ compensation attorney, families may pursue financial relief. Death benefits to cover the costs of funerals and burials can be claimed along with wage-replacement packages to help with day-to-day living costs. These are typically based on the average wage of the deceased worker, and continue for a predetermined number of years.
Source: nbc25news.com, “Construction worker killed after water cap blew, knocking him into water“, Nov. 21, 2017