The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an investigation into a fatal workplace accident that happened in Florida on a recent Wednesday morning. The incident occurred on the Palm Beach construction site of a development at the former location of Testa’s Restaurant. Such tragedies typically lead to workers’ compensation claims filed by surviving family members.
Emergency services say first responders rushed to the scene after receiving a call reporting the accident. They arrived at the scene shortly after 8:15 a.m. to find a worker with critical injuries. He was rushed to the emergency department of a hospital within the next 20 minutes, but he succumbed to his injuries after several hours.
According to a spokesperson for the general contractor, the worker slipped while he was climbing down the scaffolding structure. This is believed to have caused the fall that led to his death. Investigators will likely assess whether the scaffold complied with safety standards, and what methods of access and egress the workers had.
Regardless of the outcome of the OSHA investigation, the surviving family members will likely be eligible for death benefits to help them deal with the unanticipated financial consequences of the tragic loss of their loved one. Workers’ compensation benefits typically cover costs related to a funeral and burial, and also a wage-replacement package to provide additional financial assistance with daily living expenses. Most families in Florida facing similar tragic circumstances utilize the services of an experienced workers’ comp attorney to assist with the claims procedures and to investigate whether any third party wrongful death claims exist.