Asphalt paver topples over to cause fatal workplace injury

On Behalf of | Jul 10, 2018 | Workplace Accidents

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration launched an investigation into an incident that caused the death of a worker in Oklahoma. Naturally, the family of the worker, who had three younger brothers, are devastated and eager to know precisely what led to the fatal workplace injury their loved one suffered. A Tulsa police spokesperson says the death was an accident.

Reportedly, the deceased man was an employee of an asphalt company. Tulsa Police report that the worker was attempting to navigate a paver that needed maintenance onto a flatbed trailer. For unknown reasons, the machine lurched and jumped, ejecting the operator off the flatbed. The paver toppled over and landed on top of the worker.

Further reports indicate that rescue crews struggled for hours to recover the body of the worker. It is suspected that his death was instant. OSHA investigators will determine the circumstances that led to this tragedy. They will also look at the asphalt company’s compliance with safety regulations, and establish whether this man’s death was preventable.

Whenever a loved one suffers a fatal workplace injury, the surviving family members typically have to deal with unanticipated financial complications at a time when their grief makes coping with money matters challenging. Along with the funeral and burial costs, meeting other financial commitments like a mortgage or rental when there is a sudden lack of income can be stressful. This is where the support and guidance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney become invaluable. An Oklahoma lawyer can navigate the process of claiming death benefits that will cover costs and provide a wage-replacement package.