Even though many people may associate construction work as being performed mainly by men, there are countless women who also work in this field. Regardless of the type of construction, there is always the ever-present danger of a serious construction accident befalling any Missouri resident in spite of one’s skills or experience. One recent accident resulted in the death of a female contractor.
According to the preliminary report, the accident occurred in the early morning around 7:30 a.m. Emergency responders were called to the scene of a construction site for an apartment complex. Purportedly, the incident involved a 55-year-old female contractor who was working on a first floor level apartment. For reasons that are yet unclear, the woman somehow fell through a floor into a basement for which no stairs had yet been built.
The victim suffered a critical head injury. An air ambulance was summoned to transport her to a nearby medical facility. According to the records, the emergency workers required several minutes to stabilize her condition enough to withstand the flight. Unfortunately, the woman’s injuries were too severe, and she was later reported deceased.
The investigation into this fatal construction accident has not been completed, and it is unknown whether the construction company will be deemed liable. Her surviving family may qualify for death benefits from the workers’ compensation program. Whenever Missouri workers suffer serious work-related injuries or illnesses, they are often unable to return to work for some time, which was why the workers’ compensation program was set up to help provide monetary benefits for these employees until they are able to return to work. In the event that an accident is fatal, then surviving family may seek death benefits. Workers who are unsure of the process for filing a valid claim are entitled to consult with an experienced attorney.
Source: Vernon, CT Patch, “Worker Dies in Fall at Vernon Construction Site”, Chris Dehnel, April 27, 2018