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Fatal work accident may be basis of claims

On Behalf of | Apr 19, 2014 | Workers' Compensation |

Police continue to investigate the cause of a tragic accident that claimed the life of an Oregon man and injured another. According to the report, the two men were on the job trying to unload equipment from a trailer when the work accident occurred. Employees of a local landscaping company, the men were setting up in preparation for a job near an elementary school when they were struck by a passing vehicle.

Witnesses suggest that the driver of the SUV ran into the men, injuring one and stopping on top of the other. Bystanders rushed to assist with CPR and tried to find a pulse, but to no avail. The deceased’s coworker was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries, which included back pain. The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene to speak with authorities.

While it is unclear what caused the crash, authorities suspect that the glare of the sun coming over the top of a building in the area blinded the driver. Police shut down the road for several hours to clear the scene. Children who were on their way to school that morning may have witnessed the aftermath of the accident, so the school brought in counselors for anyone who may have needed it.

The condition of the surviving employee was not reported, but it is hard to say if and when he will be able to return to work. For the deceased, there is of course no option of return, and his family is left to pick up the pieces of the sudden loss. In Oregon, those who have been injured or who have lost a loved one due to a work accident retain the right to seek workers’ compensation or survivor benefits. Workers’ compensation insurance can often cover related medical and funeral expenses for injuries or death incurred in on-the-job injuries.

Source: kptv.com, “Man killed in crash outside Forest Grove elementary school”, , April 9, 2014

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