Pennsylvanians who work can find themselves the victim of a work accident that results in personal injury. For many, these injuries are so severe that the person dies. These tragic incidents can have a severely negative impact on surviving family members. While a legal filing will not bring back a lost loved one, one of these claims can help a surviving family move forward and potentially recover compensation for all that they have lost. Having help from an experienced attorney is one of the most important factors for a successful case, and one local family may need that assistance now.
A late-morning accident on a gas and oil well site led to the death of a worker. The accident happened at approximately 11:15 a.m. Law enforcement was called to the scene to investigate. When they arrived, they found a 60-year-old man injured. He and the rest of the crew were loading a truck with steel pipe and other equipment used for drilling when the man was hit by a pipe that came loose. Medical personnel, members of the fire department, and a helicopter went to the site to assist. They tried to treat the man at the scene, but he was declared dead.
When there is a fatal workplace accident a litany of issues must be considered by surviving family members. First, they need to figure out how to cover funeral expenses. Then there will be financial, emotional, and personal issues to deal with.
Often, it is necessary to determine how and why the accident happened to acquire evidence in the event that pursuing legal action is warranted. When an insurance company negotiates a settlement in these matters, they often try to get surviving family members to decide quickly to avoid the possibility of a costlier legal filing. Accepting the offer is frequently a mistake. Having legal advice from the start is essential, especially in instances like these where workers’ compensation and personal injury claims may both be justified.
Workers in physical jobs with large, heavy equipment are at constant risk of injury and death, as is evident from this case. As the investigation into this accident continues, the man’s family must make sure their interests are protected. A law firm that helps people who have suffered personal injury and those who have lost a loved one may be able to provide helpful guidance moving forward.
