EspañolOne Worker Killed, Another Hospitalized In Accident Involving Bleachers At Villa Park High School
VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA (November 14, 2024) – A construction worker was killed and another was injured in an accident at Villa Park High School.
Orange County officials are saying that the accident took place around 10:21 a.m. on Thursday. Two people were working in a construction zone at Village Park High School.
There are few details about how the accident took place. But it reportedly involved the bleachers inside the school gym.
Paramedics were called to Villa Park High School in order to help the victim. One worker died at the scene, and the other was taken to the hospital.
A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Orange County Construction Accidents
Despite decades of safety improvements, many people are killed or seriously injured every year in the construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In 2022, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry and 38.4 percent of these deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips. The construction industry accounted for close to half, 47.4 percent, of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2022.” There are a number of steps that construction companies should take in order to prevent accidents.
- Construction companies should provide all workers with regular safety training.
- Construction companies should perform hazard assessments to identify and mitigate potential risks.
- Construction companies should provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats.
- Construction companies should establish fall protection systems like guardrails, scaffolding, and safety nets.
Construction workers are protected by a number of laws. If a worker is injured or killed on the job, they or their family may be able to seek aid through worker’s compensation. Worker’s compensation operates through a no-fault insurance scheme. There is no need for an injured worker to prove some entity was at fault. In addition to worker’s compensation, an injured worker may have recourse through a third-party liability claim. A third-party claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributed to an accident.
There could be numerous sources of third-party negligence for any construction site accident. For example, a general contractor or property owner could be liable if a dangerous condition at a work site contributed to an accident. The company that manufactured some piece of equipment could be responsible if it was defective in some way. Several steps should be taken after any serious accident at a construction site.
- A report of the incident should be made.
- Medical records related to any injuries should be collected.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- An experienced personal injury attorney should be contacted.
Construction accidents are often complex events. This is because construction sites are often made up of a blend of different companies that must work together. Sadly, though, employers will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if a worker is seriously injured or killed on the job. It is important for workers and their families to understand that they do have rights. In particular, the family of a deceased worker may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Orange County Construction Accidents
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died at Villa Park High School. It is our sincere hope that the other worker will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to Cal/OSHA.
Do you need more information about an Orange County construction accident? Our team of worker’s rights advocates is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
