21-Year-Old Iowa Construction Worker Killed in Trench Collapse Accident at Worksite — What Rights do Family Members Have when a Loved One Dies at Work?

The devastating story of a young Iowa man who was killed on a construction worksite just before last weekend is opening the eyes of workers and their families in Iowa and throughout the rest of the country. The story also raises the question that family members may have after a loved one dies on the job due to a workplace accident: what can we do to get justice for the death of our loved one?

According to local news reports, the harrowing construction accident happened in the morning hours of Friday, March 1. At 8:22 a.m. that Friday morning, Dubuque Fire Rescue received a call to dispatch to an apartment building where construction work was being performed. The apartment building and construction worksite where the accident occurred was located at the 3100 block of Lake Ridge Drive in Dubuque. When first responders arrived at the construction worksite to assist, they found that other construction workers were attempting to dig the worker out of a trench that had collapsed. The worker was trapped underneath 7-8 feet of soil. When first responders ultimately reached the worker, “…it was clear that it was a recovery and not a rescue.” According to reports, “[i]n most instances, these types of collapses are not survivable. The events happen very quickly, meaning there’s little time to react. The immense weight and pressure of dirt and soil weighs as much as 3,000 pounds.”

The victim in the fatal trench collapse accident has been identified as 21-year-old Jacob Young. Young’s obituary noted that he was a “hard worker, dedicated, and driven” and also stated that he “poured his heart into everything that he loved.” The fatal workplace accident has been reported to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration and investigations are still pending.

What Can Families Do When a Loved One is Killed on the Job in Decatur?

The tragic death of Jacob Young raises questions about what Decatur families can do when a loved one dies from a workplace accident. Fortunately, under Georgia workers’ compensation laws, certain dependent family members of workers killed on the job may be entitled to important Georgia workers’ compensation death benefits. In order to determine whether you may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits in Decatur, it is best to speak with an experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible about your rights and options.

Legal Help for Families of Workers Killed on the Job in Decatur

If your loved one was killed on the job in Decatur, contact the experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm. The experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your potential case and to see if they can help fight to get you workers’ compensation death benefits due. Contact the experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm today and speak to a lawyer about your rights and options for free.

Source:

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