Industrial accidents: Metal bar causes fatal job injuries

On behalf of Jeffrey Frederick of Frederick & Hagle posted in Industrial Workers’ Accidents on Thursday, November 26, 2015.

If an Illinois family loses a loved one in a work accident, the end-of-life expenses and monthly mortgage or rent and other bills may be overwhelming. Industrial workers throughout the state are exposed to multiple life-threatening risks on a daily basis, and in many cases, appropriate steps are not taken to address known safety hazards. One Illinois family recently received the shocking news of a loved one’s death after suffering fatal on-the-job injuries.

An incident report indicates that a 57-year-old worker from Calumet City died from blunt force injuries caused when he was struck by a heavy metal bar. Reportedly, the logistics company worker was positioned underneath a lift gate on a dock plate that bridges the gap between a vehicle and the warehouse floor or dock. For reasons yet to be determined, the bolts on the lift gate broke, causing a 2,000 pound metal bar to snap and fall on the worker.

The critically injured man was rushed to the hospital. Sadly he did not survive his injuries, and the coroner’s office declared the worker’s death about a half hour after the tragic accident. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has already launched an investigation into this workplace accident.

When an Illinois family has to cope with the emotional trauma and financial consequences of a loved one’s death that resulted from fatal job injuries, they may find comfort in knowing that the workers’ compensation program provides financial relief. Dependents of a deceased worker may pursue a death benefits claim. Benefits typically include compensation to cover funeral expenses along with a financial package based on the worker’s income to assist the surviving family members in coping with living expenses.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times, “Man fatally crushed by metal bar at University Park warehouse“, Jordan Owen, Nov. 18, 2015