Strange Work-Related Palm Frond Accident Kills Landscaper

  • Dec 03 2014
  • Gilleon Law Firm, APC

palmsA man was killed when fronds from a tall palm fell on him as he attempted to trim the tree, according to recent reports. The accident occurred in the 1000 block of 14th Street. San Diego Fire-Rescue responded to calls to find a man unconscious and pinned by the heavy fronds about 40 feet off the ground. It took approximately 40 minutes to free the victim and relay him to the ground, where rescue workers attempted to revive him. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Work-Related Accidents—A Large Toll

At least 4,405 people were killed on the job in 2013, the equivalent of 3.2 people per 100,000 full-time workers, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Association or OSHA. This is an average of 12 deaths per day from workplace injuries. Contractors account for about 17 percent of all work-related fatalities.

While car or truck accidents remain the primary cause of death for work-related accidents, at least 20 percent of all workplace fatalities occur in construction or construction-related jobs. Construction deaths have been classified in terms of the “Fatal Four,” a group of four types of accidents that cause the majority of these fatalities. The Fatal Four includes falls, being struck by an object, electrocution and being caught in or between an object. About 10 percent of all construction deaths are caused by someone being struck by an object. In this case, the victim’s death could be classified as one of these types of accidents.

What If I Suffer A Work-Related Injury?

One of the biggest problems with work-related injuries is the confusion for victims over whether to file a personal injury lawsuit or a worker’s compensation claim. The fact is that there is no simple answer to that question. In some cases, a worker’s compensation claim may be the only remedy available to a victim, while in other cases the victim may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. This depends on the circumstances of the case, so it is very important to seek professional legal advice before making such an important decision.

Dan Gilleon, a personal injury attorney in San Diego, has been working for many years with victims of workplace accidents and helping them to decide on the best method of recovering damages for their injuries. Contact Dan Gilleon today for a free consultation and learn more about how to protect your rights as an injured worker.


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