Tampa Worker Killed by Auger
Augers help Tampa construction workers bore holes into the ground, and this type of heavy machinery is common in fields like plumbing, landscaping, and utilities. Most major projects today require augers to establish concrete foundations deep in the earth. Without augers, many infrastructure projects would be impossible. But while augers are crucial in modern construction, they are also relatively dangerous. A recent incident shows that augers are capable of causing fatal workplace accidents in Tampa.
OSHA Launches Investigation into Fatal Auger Accident
In August of 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced plans to launch an official investigation into a recent Tampa accident. This workplace accident claimed the life of one worker, and it involved an auger. Beyond this basic announcement, OSHA failed to release any other relevant information. All we really know is that first responders arrived at a work site on Adamo Drive to find a deceased worker.
That being said, we can make a few basic assumptions about heavy machinery in Tampa workplaces. This type of workplace hazard often leads to crush or “caught-between” injuries. For example, a worker operating in a trench can be crushed by a falling or lowering piece of heavy machinery – including an auger.
Augers also bore holes into the ground in a screw-like motion. If a worker becomes caught in this machinery, the risk of death is obvious. Another possibility involves a worker who becomes caught between an auger and another solid surface – such as a concrete barrier or trench wall.
What Are My Options After Losing a Loved One to a Fatal Workplace Accident?
You may have various options after losing your loved one to a fatal workplace accident. If the accident was caused by faulty machinery, you could potentially file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. This course of action could be beneficial because it provides more compensation than a workers’ compensation claim. A workers’ comp claim only covers a portion of your missed wages – and it does not cover non-economic damages like loss of consortium or emotional distress. Both workers’ comp and personal injury lawsuits should cover all unpaid medical costs and funeral expenses.
That being said, a workers’ compensation claim is a valid goal if there are no other options. Death benefits can provide surviving family members with hundreds of thousands of dollars – and there is no requirement to prove negligence.
Can a Lawyer Help After a Fatal Workplace Accident in Tampa?
If your loved one has suffered fatal injuries in a Tampa workplace accident, you might be wondering about your legal options. A consultation with a Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer can help address many of your questions, and you may learn more about your legal options during this meeting. Families deserve compensation after losing loved ones to fatal accidents – and a workers’ comp claim could be the right call. To learn more, book a consultation with The Franco Law Firm today.
Sources:
baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2024/08/29/tampa-worker-auger-death-osha
bigrentz.com/blog/what-is-an-auger#:~:text=In%20the%20realm%20of%20commercial,drilled%20shafts%20in%20the%20ground.
