We know that construction workers face some of the most dangerous job conditions of anyone in the workforce. That sad fact was brought home here in Pennsylvania on June 12.
The Uniontown man, just 29 years old, was killed while working on the Burrowes Building at Penn State. The building, which dates back to 1940, is undergoing renovations of its heating and cooling systems and being updated to meet sustainability standards. Both the interior and exterior are undergoing redesign.
The construction worker was breaking down a crane in order to move it when a fellow worker reportedly took a pin out of the piece of equipment. The victim was struck by the crane as it then swung around.
The man was taken to the hospital, but was pronounced dead there. After an autopsy, the Centre County coroner ruled that the death was accidental.
As with many construction projects, more than one company is involved in this one. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which initiated its investigation the day after the accident, says that it is investigating P.J. Dick, which is the general contractor for the project. The agency is also looking at two subcontractors. One, Maccabbee Industrial, Inc., was the victim’s employer. The other is Maxim Crane Works.
Obviously, no amount of money can make a family whole again after a loved one has died in a construction accident. However, legal guidance can be crucial to helping ensure that survivors are compensated by those held accountable for a fatal accident. They can also work to make sure that the incident is fully investigated, which may be able to help prevent further tragedies
Source: StateCollege.com, “Man Killed in Penn State Construction Site Crane Accident,” Zach Berger, June 14, 2015