According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, one of the leading causes of occupational injuries and deaths nationwide, including in Missouri, is fall accidents. A construction worker was one of the latest victims who died after a ladder fall on a construction site in another state. His death came just before the end of the first-ever National Ladder Safety Month, which ran through March to create awareness of the dangers posed by ladders.
Reportedly, the incident occurred on a Thursday afternoon in late March. An OSHA spokesperson said a 45-year-old worker who was a subcontractor at a construction site died after he presumably fell off a ladder. He was working on a ceiling when the accident happened. It is not known what caused the fall, and it seems there were no witnesses. A co-worker discovered the body of the deceased worker.
There is no indication of the condition of the ladder on which the man was working. OSHA has apparently launched an investigation that will likely focus on the state of the ladder along with the general safety protocols established on the construction site. The company’s safety history will also be examined.
Regardless of whether the actual cause of the worker’s death has been determined, the fact that he died in an on-the-job ladder fall entitles his surviving family members to pursue financial relief. To assist families with the high costs of end-of-life arrangements and the sudden loss of income, the workers’ compensation insurance system offers death benefits. Some Missouri families in similar circumstances choose to seek the support and guidance of an experienced workers’ comp attorney to handle the benefits claims for them.
Source: wausaudailyherald.com, “Wisconsin Rapids man dies at construction site“, Arielle Hines, March 29, 2017