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Mechanic killed by falling car in auto body shop

On Behalf of | Aug 8, 2014 | Firm News

An accident at an auto body shop in Pennsylvania resulted in the death of a mechanic. Before he was killed, the man was working on a vehicle at Negrete’s Auto in Bucks County. There have been no reports that any other employees were injured in the accident.

The fatal workplace accident happened while the man was doing mechanical work underneath a car that was raised up on jack stands. For a reason that is unknown, one of the jack stands gave way while the man was working, and he was crushed to death by the falling vehicle. The man was reportedly extracted from beneath the car but determined to be dead at the scene.

According to reports, an official investigation into the details of the accident is still underway. Following any type of fatal workplace accident, employers are expected to report the death to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA will then conduct an investigation to determine whether the accident was caused by an unsafe environment or any form of employer negligence. If the employer is at fault for failing to recognize safety violations, they may be cited and fined.

Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, the family of a person killed in a workplace accident may claim workers’ compensation death benefits. Because workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, benefits are paid to an injured worker or a deceased worker’s surviving family members even if the employer was not to blame in the accident. Family members who are seeking workers’ compensation death benefits may have a greater chance of receiving the maximum in compensation with the help of an attorney.

Source: NBC 10, “Man Killed After Car Falls on Top of Him at Auto Body Shop “, David Chang, August 05, 2014

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