Maryland construction companies and their employees try to operate safely, but tragic and fatal accidents sometimes happen unexpectedly. Indeed, one such construction accident recently claimed the life of a worker in a southern state. The incident occurred on a Friday after the ground underneath the man caved in, and he fell.
The man fell approximately 12 feet down, and his entire body was covered up with sand and debris after he had jumped down off a piece of excavation machinery. When he landed at the edge of a trench, the ground gave way, and he fell inside the hole.
Two coworkers jumped into the hole to rescue the man, but they soon realized there was nothing they could do. They called 911 for assistance at approximately 1:45 p.m.
Rescue workers labored to dig the deceased man out of the hole for hours as traffic backed up along an interstate on ramp at the construction site. Most of the man's body was covered in dirt and sand with just his feet visible, according to the rescue workers.
Unfortunately, by the time they uncovered and removed the man's body, he was already dead. As with many construction accidents that occur in Maryland and other states, the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety & Health Administration is currently investigating how this incident may have occurred.
Evidence gathered by OSHA investigations can be useful to victims of a construction accident and/or the families of deceased victims to gain closure regarding a tragic event. Such evidence can also be used in support workers' compensation claims. Injured workers who qualify for workers' compensation may be able to receive financial assistance to pay for medical care necessary to recover from their injuries. Families of deceased victims may also qualify for money to pay for end of life expenses, lost income and other benefits.
